U.S. Airman Helps Save Skier's Life With Rescue Training

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 3:31 PM ET

Last month, Senior Airman Sebastian d'Alton of the 57th Rescue Squadron had an unexpected opportunity to put his life-saving skills to the test when he encountered — and helped rescue — an injured skier in the Alps.

D'Alton, a relatively new skier, was in Zermatt, Switzerland, to attend a training course that focuses on various mountain rescue techniques, according to a release from the Air Force describing the rescue.

When he arrived at the scene of the injured skier, an Italian couple was already providing assistance.

The Airman recognized that the skier in the snow was suffering from a deep leg wound. His training helped him act quickly.

"We do a lot of scenarios that prepare us for moments like this, and once I started assessing the injury, it was almost automatic," he told the Air Force.

The couple had been applying pressure to the wound, but d'Alton figured a more serious step was necessary. Making use of limited supplies — there wasn't a full trauma kit available — d'Alton packed the skier's gash and applied a tourniquet to reduce blood flow.

Communicating with the Italian couple and the injured man — who was Austrian — presented another hurdle, but d'Alton made do thanks, again, to his prior preparation for high-stress moments.

"You start with intense physical training, but by the end, it's all about technical skill and problem-solving under pressure," he said, describing the instruction he'd received in the Air Force.

D'Alton noted a technique he uses to remain collected when presented with volatile situations, "Take a deep breath. If you need another, take another. Then, focus on the problem, one thing at a time. It's easy to panic, but breaking it down step-by-step makes all the difference."

Eventually, local ski patrol arrived to transport the man off the mountain.

Despite d’Alton’s extensive training, the incident marked his first time participating in a real-world alpine rescue situation, and he credited the Italian couple with playing a crucial role in helping the injured skier.

“It wasn't just me; it was a team effort,” he said.

For backcountry skiers, in particular, d’Alton’s ability to react efficiently should convey an important lesson — drilling the basics of post-avalanche rescue techniques takes the guesswork out of high-stakes scenarios. Beacon park exercises, while dull at times, can save lives.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: