Snow without end in the Alps: A short weather calming on Saturday want to use four friends from Baden-Wuerttemberg. They dare on an extremely steep descent in the Austrian Lech. The otherwise prepared terrain is closed. The trip will at least three of the men to doom. The search for the fourth victim is not possible due to heavy snowfall on Sunday. Questions and answers on one of the worst avalanche accidents of winter:

Where did the misfortune happen?

The skiers at the age of 28, 32, 36 and 57 years were obviously on the route "Langer train" on Rüfikopf on the way. A descent that, according to the warning board, does not forgive any driving errors - it is considered one of the ten steepest in the world. At the start, it is about 850 meters downhill almost 400 meters downhill. Even under the best conditions, this is only recommended for experts.

How did the skiers prepare?

All four had complete emergency equipment, according to the authorities. This includes a tracking station for buried victims, a probe to search in deep snow, a shovel and a backpack with avalanche airbag. The airbag should ensure that skiers are not buried too deeply in the event of an avalanche, but can virtually swim along with the snow masses on the surface. In the current case, the airbag had risen in each case - but could not save the men.

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Are the current victims with their risk appetite an exception?

No. Again and again the warnings are ignored, in view of the avalanche danger to stay on groomed slopes. According to the mayor of Lech, Ludwig Muxel, the confidence in the equipment contributes to this. But even the best equipment is not always able to save human lives with these forces of nature. Above all, the avalanche warning level 3 (considerable danger) on the five-point scale is underestimated. Stage 3 also prevailed on Saturday at the Arlberg.

How long can you survive in an avalanche?

In the first 15 minutes, the chances of survival are still relatively high - provided that the skier has not been thrown against trees or rocks by the snow masses. After that, the likelihood of a good ending sinks by the minute. Many victims suffocate under the extremely compacted snow masses. They load like concrete on the casualty.

What are the behavioral rules for avalanche departure?

Throw away the sticks and at all costs try to stay close to the surface with swimming movements. Finally, with the hands around the mouth and nose to form at least a small breathing space.

Are avalanches the biggest danger in the Alps?

Definitely not, at least if you look at the whole year. According to current figures of the Kuratorium für alpine Sicherheit, 268 people were killed in the Austrian Alps last year. During hiking and mountaineering, 88 people died, on ski routes and slopes - ie in the secured ski room - 30 athletes died. In the summer twice as many people died in the mountains (128) as in winter (63).