The experiences of dealing with consequences of an avalanche - surviving soldiers' perspectives

Frequency of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Factors Among Survivors of Van Avalanche: 6-Month Follow-up Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the frequency of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), to determine the risk factors, and to monitor the change of symptoms after 6 months among individuals who survived the avalanche disaster in Van.

METHOD

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 35 people who were rescued from two consecutive avalanche disasters in Van 2 months and 6 months after the avalanche disaster. The socio-demographic and clinical data of the cases were evaluated. The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale-Self Report version (PSS-SR) and clinical interviews were used for PTSD diagnosis. The level of trauma was assessed by using the Impact of Event Scale (IES).

RESULTS

All participants were rescuers who went to the avalanche site for rescue mission. Of the cases, 16 were volunteers from the local community and 19 were professional rescuers. The frequency of PTSD was 71.4% in the early assessment, and 57.1% in the long term. Staying in avalanche for more than 30 minutes, the absence of a history of disaster exposure and being in the group of volunteers were found to increase the risk for PTSD development.

CONCLUSION

There is a high risk of developing PTSD as a result of an avalanche. People who will intervene with the disasters should be educated and prepared in terms of preventing negative psychological consequences of the disaster. The relationship between the severity of trauma and PTSD was replicated in our study.

From a first person perspective: Soldiers' experiences three decades after an avalanche - A qualitative interview study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore indirectly exposed soldiers' subjective experiences following an avalanche. Three decades after the trauma, this study describes the perceived impact of the disaster by peers of those who survived or died in the avalanche.

METHOD

A qualitative, cross-sectional, study based on 17 individual interviews with persons indirectly exposed to an avalanche. Data was analysed according to qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

The findings revealed 'being a significant first person' as the main theme. Two categories were developed: 1) Experience of closeness to the victims 2) Experience of distance post-disaster. The categories elaborated two subcategories each: 1) Could have been me 2) Sadness, grief, shame and guilt over losing friends and 1) Unorganized military service post-disaster 2) Anger towards the system.

CONCLUSION

The soldiers indirectly exposed to the avalanche need to be seen both as a person and as a group. Both immediately following and decades after the disaster, the informants wanted the military to offer adequate follow-up.