In an extraordinary scientific experiment in Italy, 36 volunteers agreed to be buried alive under snow to help researchers test a new device designed to save lives during avalanches.
The groundbreaking research aimed to evaluate a life-support system known as “SafeBAG,” created to slow the buildup of carbon dioxide and delay the decrease in oxygen levels, giving avalanche victims a greater chance of survival until rescuers arrive.
Each volunteer, aged between 18 and 60, was in good health and closely monitored throughout the experiment. They were buried 50 centimeters deep beneath snow while scientists continuously tracked their breathing, oxygen saturation, and other vital signs to ensure safety.
Participants were divided into two groups. One group used the SafeBAG device, while the other group was buried without any breathing assistance.
The findings were remarkable. Volunteers using the SafeBAG were able to remain under the snow for an average of 35 minutes, even when oxygen levels had dropped by more than 80 percent. In comparison, those without the device lasted only about six minutes.
A significant difference was also recorded in the level of carbon dioxide accumulation. In the SafeBAG group, CO₂ concentration reached just 1.3 percent, whereas in the group without the device, it climbed to 6.1 percent.
According to the researchers, the majority of avalanche-related deaths occur within the first 35 minutes, primarily due to suffocation. By extending this critical survival period, the SafeBAG device could greatly improve rescue outcomes and save more lives.
The experiment was conducted between January and March 2023, and its findings have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).