A prominent physician discusses the high rate of fatalities in avalanches, following the deaths of eight skiers near Lake Tahoe.
Eric Stendel, an emergency doctor based in Truckee, close to the location where the incident occurred, shared that victims experienced blunt force trauma, asphyxia, or hypothermia.
He noted that those who survive the initial impact may still face the risk of suffocation. When the snow settles, it turns into a solid mass that feels “like cement,” making it hard to move or breathe.
Stendel emphasized that even if a person finds an air pocket beneath the snow, timely rescue—ideally within the first 15 minutes—is crucial. He mentioned this as a “generous estimate,” suggesting that they might have up to an hour before the cold becomes critical.
On Tuesday, an avalanche on Castle Peak near Truckee resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, with one more person remaining missing and presumed dead.
Law enforcement and the state, in partnership with organizer Blackbird Mountain Guides, have initiated separate investigations into the event.
With over two decades in the medical field, Stendel remarked on Friday that time is the most significant challenge when attempting to save avalanche victims.
“To save someone, you really must dig them out within the first 15 minutes. Very few can survive being buried in snow beyond an hour,” he stated.
“Avalanches can sometimes throw you against trees or rocks, causing injury. But the most frequent cause of death is suffocation, as you can’t breathe while trapped beneath the snow.”
He described the movement of an avalanche as resembling water, but once it stops, it solidifies and becomes extremely rigid.
This explains why many individuals find themselves buried under piles of snow, as if encased in cement, unable to make any movements.
Even if the initial barriers of trauma and suffocation are managed, the risk of freezing increases significantly over time.
Stendel elaborated: “As your core temperature falls, you transition from intense shivering to confusion, losing the ability to shiver.”
He added, “Eventually, you may lose consciousness, and your muscles stiffen. Breathing slows or completely stops, along with heart activity.”
While hypothermia can happen, it is relatively rare for avalanche victims. Stendel pointed out, “The two main causes of death are trauma and suffocation, not hypothermia.”
He described the recent tragedy as “beyond a tragedy” and noted the close-knit nature of the small mountain community, where many people either know the victims or have connections to them.
