Yell! Call out for attention. Your backcountry partners should always have eyes on the person exposed to the avalanche hazard. If your team can establish a last point seen, it will improve your chances of being found quickly.

Deploy your airbag. Don’t hesitate to do this. The airbag will not affect your ability to yell or exit to the side of the avalanche.

Try to exit to the side of the avalanche. Slide or roll towards the sides of the avalanche. Snow moves more slowly at the edges of the avalanche and you increase your chances of not being carried as far.

Try to arrest as you’re caught. If you fail to escape to the side of an avalanche, grab bushes or trees, or arrest yourself in the bed surface in an effort to slow yourself down. This might allow the moving snow to flow around you and leave you high on the slope.

Discard your equipment. Release your skis or snowboard if you can, let go of your poles, and continue to fight and thrash your way to the side of the avalanche.

Protect yourself. Keep your backpack on; it protects your spine and you may need the gear inside during the rescue. If there is no hope of getting to the side of the avalanche, curl into a ball and keep your arms and legs tucked in to protect yourself. Keep your hands in front of your face to protect your airway.

Fight to get to the surface. Thrust or kick towards the surface. Your chances of survival increase if you are only partially buried. Try to clear an air pocket in front of your face.

Try to dig out. When the snow stops moving, try to dig yourself out if possible. If you’re fully buried and can’t move, try to remain calm and slow your breathing.

Yell to rescuers if you can hear them. Remain calm. Whatever happens, try to remain calm. As difficult as it sounds, try to slow your breathing to conserve the air in your air pocket.