reason snow flukes have metal cable connections. The best way to
use a shovel is as a standard deadman with a sling around the
shaft, of course if you do that you don't have anything to dig
the deadman out with. Snow flukes make crappy shovels and
shovels make dangerous snow flukes.

I would not recommend to use a shovel as deadman. The shaft is
not strong enough for that purpose. Even ice axes might not qualifiy
for the usage as deadman (there is a UIAA norm for shafts).

Bernd