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#1
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possible to drown in snow?
I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair
of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? |
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#2
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I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair
of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? If the snow is light enough, you can sink a LONG way. And it would be pretty hard to get out. So yeah, you could drown in it. ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#3
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Mike T wrote:
I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? If the snow is light enough, you can sink a LONG way. And it would be pretty hard to get out. So yeah, you could drown in it. An example is the tree well phenomana. People fall into tree wells, can't get out and die. -- Before Heading to the Hills Head to The Wisconsin Skier: http://www.wi-ski.com/ |
#4
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Mike T wrote:
I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? If the snow is light enough, you can sink a LONG way. And it would be pretty hard to get out. So yeah, you could drown in it. Yes, it is not only possible to drown in snow, but it happens several times a season. Imagine going in head first with large flat object(s) attached to your feet making it difficult to turn yourself upright. I read somewhere that asphixiation is the #1 cause of death for snowboarders, mostly related to falling in a tree well. (Note: I'm too lazy to look up a cite this PM and will gladly accept a factual correction if one is offered) Asphixiation is the usual cause of death for those who perish in an avalanche, but that's not really what the OP is getting at. A tree well crash is more like the scenario envisioned. Simply hiking and going in feet first would be highly unusual, but I suppose theoretically possible, especially if the hiker gets disoriented and can't figure out which way is up. //Walt P.S. I'll spare Bob the tree well crash picture this time. |
#5
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"Bucky" wrote in message oups.com... I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? Tree wells can be nasty, where the branches prevent settling and packing of the snow around the base of a tree. While cat skiing, we had a guy pop a ski off, lose control and go head first at the base of a tree. As he struggled he fell farther down (like quicksand). We had to dig him out and he snorted alot of snow. People can and do die in them |
#6
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In article .com,
Bucky wrote: I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? You don't drown in snow. You suffocate. -- According to John Perry Barlow, "Jeff Davis is a truly gifted trouble-maker." |
#7
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"Bucky" wrote in message
oups.com... I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? One time I was skiing in about 2.5' of fresh, really light powder on Mount Baker. I went into the trees on quite a steep hill, and I flipped. Fell head first , with my skis on. Being on the hill the snow acted much deeper, and it was a real struggle to work myself out. I was breathing like nuts and thought I was going to suffocate. I thought I was a goner. :-) |
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JvD wrote:
"Bucky" wrote in message oups.com... I was hiking through 3+ ft of fresh powder in my boots to fetch a pair of gloves I had lost uphill. I wondered, if there was 7 ft of fresh snow, would it be possible to sink below the surface while hiking in boots and drown? Or is there a limit to how deep you can sink in fresh snow because eventually, your boots will compress enough snow (before you're in over your head) to support your weight? One time I was skiing in about 2.5' of fresh, really light powder on Mount Baker. I went into the trees on quite a steep hill, and I flipped. Fell head first , with my skis on. Being on the hill the snow acted much deeper, and it was a real struggle to work myself out. I was breathing like nuts and thought I was going to suffocate. I thought I was a goner. :-) I think a rebreather will be on my shopping list for next season. |
#9
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In message , Christine
writes On Tue, 7 Mar 2006 13:04:20 -0800, "Mike T" wrote: So yeah, you could drown in it. Technically speaking, you'd suffocate, not drown. Happened years ago There's no difference unless you survive only to succumb to the aftereffects of having water enter your lungs. I've read several reports of deaths in deep soft snow, but none of secondary drowning in a survivor of this type of accident. -- Sue ];( Spam was invented by two Yank lawyers; when they die and go to hell they'll be made to read it all. |
#10
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In article ,
Sue wrote: In message , Christine writes Technically speaking, you'd suffocate, not drown. Happened years ago There's no difference unless you survive only to succumb to the aftereffects of having water enter your lungs. drown |droun| verb [ intrans. ] die through submersion in and inhalation of water : she drowned in the pond | | ( be drowned) two fishermen were drowned when their motorboat capsized. b" [ trans. ] deliberately kill (a person or animal) in this way : he killed his wife then drowned himself in a fit of despair. suffocate verb die or cause to die from lack of air or inability to breathe : [ intrans. ] ten detainees suffocated in an airless police cell. | [ trans. ] she was suffocated by the fumes. -have or cause to have difficulty in breathing : [ intrans. ] he was suffocating, his head jammed up against the back of the sofa | [ trans. ] you're suffocating me- I can scarcely breathe | [as adj. ] ( suffocating) the suffocating heat. - figurative feel or cause to feel trapped and oppressed : [as adj. ] ( suffocated) I felt suffocated by my marriage. Sloppy sloppy! Care to retract? -- According to John Perry Barlow, "Jeff Davis is a truly gifted trouble-maker." |
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