An 18-year old Brock Crouch was buried under the snow for 5 minutes. An American professional snowboarder survived after being buried in an avalanche in the backcountry near Whistler, B.C.
Crouch was buried under the snow for 5 minutes before rescued by his friends. He was already blue-faced but conscious.
According to Shin Campos who was on the mountain with Crouch, it was a miracle.
Dangers of snow
On April 22, just a few days after a storm, between 10-30 centimeters of snow has fallen in the last few days, but the day was sunny and the temperature is rising. It was Crouch’s second run down the same slope on the Pemberton Icecap that day for a film shoot by the Nevada-based Absinthe Films. Campos was the mountain safety location coordinator for the shoot.
Crouch and another snowboarder, Cam Fitzpatrick strayed a bit off course and approached a cornice which is an overhanging mass of hard snow. Campos was 45 meters away when he heard the cornice crack and started to break away. A long rumble followed as it tumbled down the mountain. This was followed by radio check-ins from everybody except Crouch.
Josh Poole, a Blackcomb Helicopter pilot who was stationed on the opposing ridge, lifted off to check the scene. He directed Campos to the debris as well as providing a safe route to reach Crouch. He landed and with a shovel, started to dig where the edge of Crouch’s board was sticking out.
Campos who was a form pro athlete was aware of the danger and the importance of time. A few years ago, he attempted to rescue another friend under similar conditions but was not successful in resuscitating him after 45 minutes of CPR.
Rescue attempt
When the group reached the location of Crouch, they initially uncovered his boot. It was later determined that his body was folded in half with his head close to his crotch. After uncovering his head, his airway was clear. He was already blue but once his airway was cleared, he started moaning.
The excavation was carefully carried out, slicing his backpack off and stabilizing his neck and back in case of any injuries. Crouch was airlifted to a healthcare facility. Surgery was not needed and there was no trauma to the head or compound fractures.
He has 3 broken vertebrae where 2 were burst and one was fractured along with a lacerated pancreas and several busted teeth.
Aside from straying off the course, Campos believe that there was not much that can be done to prevent the accident. Although he cautioned against going into the backcountry without an experienced person.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a class on first aid and CPR and for more information, check out these sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600