Skiing accident Prince Willem Friso

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the skiing accident involving Prince Willem Friso, who was caught in an avalanche while skiing in Austria. Participants explore the circumstances of the accident, the medical situation following the incident, and comparisons to other cases of survival in extreme conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that Prince Willem Friso was caught in an avalanche while skiing off-track, but there is some debate about whether the area was truly off-track, as it may have been a signed side-branch of the regular route.
  • Concerns are raised about the likelihood of survival after being trapped in heavy snow for 20 minutes, with one participant expressing skepticism about the chances of recovery under such conditions.
  • Another participant shares a story of a 13-year-old boy who survived 25 minutes under ice, suggesting that miracles can happen, although they also express doubt about the prince's recovery given the severe brain damage he may have suffered.
  • There is mention of the prince's body temperature being maintained at a low level (30°C / 91.4°F) for several days to aid recovery, which some participants find concerning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the circumstances of the accident and the potential for recovery. There is no consensus on the likelihood of survival or the implications of the prince's medical condition.

Contextual Notes

Uncertainties remain regarding the definitions of off-track skiing, the physiological effects of prolonged exposure to cold, and the specific medical prognosis for the prince.

Andre
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For all the royalists, the second son of Queen Beatrix, prince Willem Friso (engineer degree) has been in a skiing accident. He was caugh by an avalange during off track skiing in Austria.

His vitals are stable but he had to be reanimated and his brains may have suffered lack of oxygen for a critical period of time. The propects are unsure.

The Netherlands is pretty upset.

Hang in there, Friso
 
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Best wishes to him. Skiing the back-country is exciting, but it can be very dangerous, too.
 
There is some discussion whether it was really off-track, apparently it was a signed side-branch of the regular route.

I'm not sure about the chances of someone being stuck in very heavy snow for 20 minutes, they appear very slim to me. His body temperature is now being kept at 30oC / 91.4oF for 2-3 days to allow the body tissues to recover slowly, really a low temperature.
 
Miracles happen. On February 3rd a 13 years old boy tried to help his colleague drowning under ice. He helped the other guy, but was not able to get out from the water himself. Before the help arrived he spent 25 minutes under ice, with body temp falling to about 20 deg C. He left the hospital this week, the only know problem being he is not (yet) able to fully straighten out fingers in his right hand.

http://media.wp.pl/kat,1022943,wid,14222082,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=1df16 - in Polish only.
 
Borek said:
Miracles happen. On February 3rd a 13 years old boy tried to help his colleague drowning under ice. He helped the other guy, but was not able to get out from the water himself. Before the help arrived he spent 25 minutes under ice, with body temp falling to about 20 deg C. He left the hospital this week, the only know problem being he is not (yet) able to fully straighten out fingers in his right hand.

http://media.wp.pl/kat,1022943,wid,14222082,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=1df16 - in Polish only.

No miracles I'm afraid. He suffered severe brain damage and it's unclear if he will ever wake up again out of coma