Survival in Snow: Avalanche Airbags Through the Eyes of Rescuers and Mountain Professionals, a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Avalanches pose significant dangers to winter recreationists, and avalanche airbags have become a prominent safety device. Airbags could increase users’ confidence, leading to risk compensatory behaviors, and paradoxically, putting users at a greater hazard despite their proven mortality reduction. This study assesses expert opinions and behaviors toward avalanche airbags in the Alpine region. The objective is to investigate the perception of skiing instructors, mountain guides, and rescuers of alpine countries toward airbag effectiveness, efficacy in preventing mortality, and their role during search and rescue operations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of skiing instructors, mountain guides, and rescuers (i.e., experts) working in alpine countries (France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria) was conducted. Participants were selected via snowball sampling. Topics included training and experience of experts, risk propensity of clients and avalanche casualties, perception toward search and rescue procedures, and perceived efficacy of avalanche airbags. Results: Expected outcomes will cover expert opinions on the advantages and limitations of airbags, the influence of airbags on users’ risk-taking and risk compensation, airbags pros and cons in search and rescue scenarios, and general recommendations. Conclusion: This study will contribute to understanding how avalanche airbags are viewed by experts in snow-related mountain casualties. Eventually, this will add knowledge to better shape educational programs for winter recreationists, best practices, and policies for avalanche airbag use in high-risk environments.