During periods of rapid new snow loading, either from precipitation or wind transport, the new snow hasn't yet had time to strengthen and bond to the underlying snowpack. Rapid warming of the snowpack by sun or rain is also de-stabilizing and often leads to avalanching. Every person traveling in the back country should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. These items can save a life. In the event of an accident, the party will need to rely upon their ability of self-rescue.
Time is of the essence.
Fifty percent of totally buried avalanche victims die within the first 20-30 minutes of being buried. By the time an organized rescue party responds to an accident, the victim's chance of surviving are very low. Two-thirds of fatality victims die from suffocation, while the other third die from trauma injury. When traveling in the back country and the chance of an avalanche exists, expose only one person to potential risk at a time. The remainder of the party should watch from safe locations, ready to effect a rescue should a slide occur.