A is for Avalanche

1. First, I'm insecure about my upcoming blog tour because Ghost of Death comes out on the 22nd of this month! That's why my tour won't begin until May. I'm looking for June stops so If you can help, there's a form at the bottom of this post.

2. Sunday was moving day, so on top of A to Z, IWSG Day, and planning my blog tour, I have to unpack. Yay! (Not.)

3. On Unicorn Bell, I'm starting a new feature called "Ask Chrys." For this feature, you can ask me any writing-related question(s). The bonus is that your question could be turned into a post. For more info, go HERE. 
Have a writing-related question? Email me: ChrysFey(at)yahoo(dot)com

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

AVALANCHE

FACT: Approximately 150 avalanche fatalities are reported every year.

An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a sloping surface, like a mountain. Avalanches are triggered when layers of accumulated snow is disturbed in some way. The top layer fractures, creating a downward torrent.

These disturbances can be:
·         Rain and heavy snowfall
·         Warm temperature
·         Strong winds
·         Ice or rock fall
·         Vibration/movement
·         Skiers, snowmobiles and snowboards

FACT: 90% of avalanches are triggered by the weight of one of the victims in a group from skiers/snorboarders.

There are 3 different types of avalanches:
·         Loose snow avalanche (occurs when soft snow fall or snow softened by the sun)
·         Slab avalanche (when  a layer of snow shatters like glass and goes hurting down a mountain)
·         Wet snow avalanche (which consist of water and snow).

People caught in an avalanche are often killed by the blunt force of the impact of the snow hitting them as well as being buried alive. If someone survives the initial avalanche, the sheer volume of precipitation left in the air can fill their lungs and drown them on the inside.

FACT: The most powerful avalanches can reach speeds of over 300 km/h.

If you’re caught in an avalanche, try to get off the slab by skiing/snowboarding straight down hill to gain speed then veer left or right to get out of the path of the rushing snow. You can do the same on a snowmobile by hitting your throttle for more speed. If escaping that way is not an option, hold onto a tree. If you can’t, and the avalanche hits you, move your arms and legs like your swimming and use as much strength as you can to move upward so you don’t sink too far. Clear away snow from your head as the motion of the snow slows to create room for air to reach you, and punch your hand through the top, because when the avalanche settles it becomes as stiff as concrete, which will paralyze any chance you have of moving. You will have to wait for rescue.

FACT: 93% of avalanche victims survive if they are dug out within 15 minutes after being buried.

Now wouldn’t that make an exciting story?

QUESTION: Does anyone here ski or snowboard?

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!