Hypercapnia and Gas Exchange Under the Avalanche Snow Model (HyperAvaSM)

The study is a part of a university research project aimed at studying physiological conditions and development of breathing parameters of a person breathing in the simulated avalanche snow. Presence of an air pocket and its size play an important role in survival of victims buried in the avalanche snow. Even small air pockets facilitate breathing, yet they do not provide a significant amount of fresh air for breathing. The investigators hypothesize that the size of the air pocket significantly affects the airflow resistance and work of breathing. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the air pocket volume on gas exchange and work of breathing in subjects breathing into the simulated avalanche snow and to test, whether it is possible to breathe with zero air pocket.

Inclusion criteria

• Participants were volunteers from the Czech Army forces, studying at the Military Department of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague. All subjects were healthy and fit, classified as ASA I, all without a smoking history. The volunteers were highly motivated to participate in the experiment. The entrance examination, completed before the start of the study, included these tests: electrocardiography, blood pressure, spirometry, and assessment of the health conditions and family anamnesis by a physician with a specialty in anesthesia and critical care.

Exclusion criteria

• The exclusion criteria were Tiffeneau Index less than 0.70 and any cardiovascular or respiratory condition.