Some avalanche victims can be resuscitated despite severe hypothermia. However, certain findings indicate that these attempts will be futile and the patient should be declared dead.
Criterion 1 - Both of the following:
(1) unconscious and not breathing
(2) obvious fatal traumatic injuries
Criterion 2 - All of the following:
(1) unconscious and not breathing
(2) burial time > 35 minutes or core body temperature < 32°C
(3) asystole on ECG
(4) no air pocket
(5) airway blocked
where:
• In many avalanche victims the airway fills with snow resulting in obstruction.
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