Transforming Avalanche Rescue Training: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in High-Stakes Environments

As winter sports continue to grow in popularity, the need for effective avalanche rescue training becomes increasingly critical. While effective, traditional training methods face challenges such as logistical constraints and limited accessibility. This study investigates the potential of virtual reality (VR) as an alternative approach to enhance avalanche rescue training. We conducted a comparative analysis between traditional ($\mathrm{N}=21$) and VR ($\mathrm{N}=22$) training methods, focusing on participants' knowledge retention, procedural adherence, and confidence in handling real-life scenarios and equipment. Our findings indicate that VR training offers comparable learning outcomes to traditional methods, with the added benefits of increased engagement and accessibility. However, challenges in handling equipment suggest that VR should complement, rather than replace, hands-on training. This research contributes valuable insights into integrating immersive technologies in safety education and the potential for VR to improve training effectiveness in highrisk environments.