Inside the Mountain Rescue Frontline: A Reporter’s Firsthand Experience of the Terror of Being Buried Alive in an Avalanche — As Backcountry Accidents Surge in Hokkaido, Rescue Teams Battle Extreme Conditions

Sweet Azuki Bean Soup and Nine Layers That Save Lives

After rescue, the top priority is preventing hypothermia. The team immediately offered warm sweet red bean soup, which efficiently provides calories needed to generate body heat. The warm, sweet liquid spread through the body, bringing both physical and emotional relief.

Next, the victim is wrapped using the “Hokkaido Police hypothermia wrapping method.” This involves covering the body with nine layers, including air mats, insulating sheets, and tarps.

Reporter:
“No cold air gets inside at all—it’s incredibly warm.”

This method completely blocks cold air and prevents body heat from escaping.

Such rescue operations sometimes continue throughout the night. One team member recalled the harsh conditions:

“We received the call around 4 p.m., and by the time we reached the site and brought the person down, it was around 3 a.m. The hardest part was continuing to call out and encourage them despite exhaustion.”