A snowboarder got buried upside down in snow. See skier’s quick reaction. | CNN

A harrowing scene unfolded on the slopes of Mt. Baker in Washington state when a snowboarder became trapped upside down in a tree well, with skier Francis Zuber swiftly responding to the emergency.

As footage from CNN shows, Zuber's calm and calculated actions saved the life of the snowboarder, who remained buried under the snow for several minutes before being freed. The skier's decision to assess the situation quickly, provide emotional support to the stranded rider, and then initiate rescue efforts without hesitation has been hailed as exemplary.

In a statement that has resonated with many in the snowboarding community, Zuber urged others to take up rescue courses to ensure they are equipped to respond in similar situations. "It's not just about knowing what to do," he said, "it's also about being able to stay calm and think clearly when it matters most."

The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preparedness, teamwork, and quick thinking in emergency situations. For those who were lucky enough to witness Zuber's heroics, his actions will be remembered for years to come as an extraordinary display of compassion and bravery on the slopes.

As one expert noted, "The situation was ripe for disaster, but thanks to Francis Zuber's swift action, that disaster was narrowly averted." The incident highlights the value of training, experience, and good fortune in preventing tragic outcomes like this one.

OMG this is crazy! I'm still shaking thinking about that snowboarder getting stuck in the tree well Francis Zuber's reaction tho, WOW! He's literally a hero on skis I mean, can you imagine being buried under all that snow for like 5 minutes?! So lucky to be alive!

And props to him for staying calm and helping the dude out. That's what rescue courses are all about You're right, it's not just about knowing what to do, but also how to stay chill in a life-or-death situation I'm definitely taking Zuber's advice and signing up for those rescue courses ASAP! Safety first on the slopes, you feel me?

So what a bummer that the guy got stuck upside down in the tree well ... I mean, who wouldn't have a panic attack in that situation? But seriously, I'm glad Francis Zuber was there to save the day! His whole "stay calm and think clearly" thing is so true - it's not just about knowing what to do, but also being able to execute it without freaking out .

I don't know about you guys, but I've seen that happen before (not literally stuck in a tree well, of course ), and it's crazy how fast things can go downhill. So yeah, taking rescue courses is super important - we should all just make sure to prioritize our safety and the safety of others on the slopes .

By the way, have you guys seen those videos of Zuber's heroics? It's like he was born for this stuff ... I mean, I'd probably pass out from shock in that situation, but not him. Anyways, let's just be grateful he saved that snowboarder and hope we all learn from this incident !

This whole thing just got me thinking... what is it about being in a life-or-death situation that brings out the best (or worst) in people? I mean, Francis Zuber could've easily freaked out and made things worse, but instead he stays calm, thinks clearly, and springs into action. That's not just heroism, it's also empathy - he's got to be able to see himself in the person trapped under all that snow, you know? And then he's like "let's get them out of here!" It's this sense of shared humanity that really makes his actions stand out. We could all learn a thing or two from how Zuber prioritizes saving a life over any personal fear or panic. Maybe we just need to recognize that our own survival is always tied up with someone else's...

I'm so impressed with Francis Zuber's quick thinking & calmness during that tree well rescue He literally saved someone's life on the slopes! I mean, can you even imagine being trapped upside down under all that snow? It's crazy how he stayed chill and came up with a plan to get that dude out alive. Rescue courses are def a must for skiers & snowboarders – it's not just about knowing what to do in an emergency, but also staying calm & focused when things go wrong

Ugh just saw a video of a snowboarder getting stuck upside down in a tree well at Mt Baker and I'm still shaking my head... can't believe how close someone could've died what if they hadn't been freed for another minute or two? I mean, we need more people like Francis Zuber who are trained to respond in emergencies like this but it's also a harsh reminder that accidents can happen anywhere and at any time

omg what an incredible story !! i mean seriously who gets trapped upside down in a tree well?! it's crazy how that skier, frances zuber, just stayed calm and took action lol he's literally a hero on the slopes! but what i love most is how he's already talking about taking rescue courses so others can learn from his experience that's so selfless of him. we need more people like that in our lives, you know? anyway i'm just glad everyone is safe and sound those tree wells are no joke.

man what an amazing story! i mean, can u imagine being trapped upside down in a snowbank with no way out? but then someone like frances zuber comes along and saves the day, talk about a lifesaver! his calm demeanor and quick thinking are truly inspiring, i'm sure he's a hero not just to the guy he saved but to everyone who sees this story. and it's so cool that he's now encouraging others to get trained up in rescue skills, more people like him out there would be awesome!

I don't think it's entirely fair to say that Francis Zuber's actions were solely his own doing... I mean, the snowboarder did get trapped upside down in a tree well, which is pretty much the worst thing that could happen on the slopes . Like, what are you even gonna do at that point? But, I guess it's still impressive that Zuber was able to stay calm and think clearly under pressure... or maybe he just got lucky . Either way, taking rescue courses is probably a good idea for anyone who wants to be prepared in case something like this happens again... but, I don't know, maybe they're not as necessary as everyone makes them out to be .

omg u no wut just happend at Mt Baker lol Francis Zuber is literally a hero!!! i mean, trapping urself upside down in a tree well can't b easy 2 survive 4 mins burried under snow & then he just casually saves the day

i'm all about those rescue courses tho - u gotta be prepared 4 anythin ! stayin calm & thinkin clearly is key, as Francis said. i feel like we cud all learn a thing or two from him.

anywayz, that was a crazy close call but happy 2 hear it ended well . lets just say i'll b makin sure 2 check my gear 4sum before headin out on the slopes

this is crazy! I mean, can you even imagine being stuck upside down in a tree well with no way out? it's a miracle that Francis Zuber showed up when he did! His calmness and expertise really saved the day . I love how he didn't just rush in, but took his time to assess the situation and provide support before even trying to rescue the guy . It's clear that training and experience really do make a difference here. We should all take note and get ourselves trained for emergencies too, you never know when you might need it . The fact that he even urged others to sign up for rescue courses is so admirable - let's all learn from his example!

Ugh, it's just another example of how people always seem to find themselves in life-threatening situations when they're supposed to be out having fun . I mean, what are the chances you'll get stuck upside down in a tree well? It's not like that's something you can plan for or avoid, but hey, at least some dude showed up on time and saved someone's life . But seriously, how many people actually take those rescue courses to learn these skills? It's just luck that Francis Zuber was there to bail him out . And what about the person who got stuck in the first place? Were they prepared for this kind of thing? Probably not .

just saw the craziest thing on CNN - some snowboarder got stuck upside down in a tree well at Mt Baker and Francis Zuber is literally a hero! I mean, can you even imagine being trapped under all that snow? He's like a real-life action hero, but instead of saving the world from villains, he saved a dude's life on the slopes And what's even cooler is that he's urging others to take up rescue courses so they can be prepared for situations like this too! That's some top-notch bravery right there

idk what's more impressive, francis zuber's rescue skills or how calm he kept his cool while watching someone get trapped upside down in a tree well . i mean, who wouldn't freak out in that situation? but not our hero here - dude just chillin', thinking clearly, and saving lives one rescue at a time .

and honestly, can we talk about how inspiring it is that he's already sharing his expertise with others? like, let's all take up rescue courses ASAP so we can be the next hero on the slopes . seriously though, it's always good to learn from someone who's got experience and skills - and francis zuber has definitely got both .

anyway, glad everyone's safe and sound (and if not, there's francis zuber to thank for it ). gotta keep those rescue teams trained and ready to roll out whenever duty calls!

Ugh, can we get one thing straight? This snowboarder dude is lucky to be alive! I mean, getting trapped upside down in a tree well for minutes is a miracle . And let's give credit where it's due, Francis Zuber's reaction was calm and all that jazz , but come on, we don't need to be reminded of the importance of rescue courses . Like, isn't everyone in the snowboarding community already taking those? It's not like this one guy is some kind of hero who saved everyone from certain doom . Let's give Zuber a break and acknowledge that he was just doing his job... and being human . And honestly, what are the chances that we're all going to be in a situation where we need to rescue someone stuck in a tree well? Like, super low .

I'm glad someone finally got footage of this! But seriously, how did Zuber even know where to start? Was he trained in basic first aid or was it just luck that he didn't panic? I mean, the guy's calm under pressure is great and all, but what if he wasn't there? Would we be writing about another fatality?

And what exactly did Zuber do to save this guy? Did he break through some ice or something, or was it more of a careful extraction process? The article doesn't go into too much detail on that front. Can someone provide more info on the rescue procedures involved?

Also, 1 minute under snow and they're able to free him? That's crazy! What if his heart had stopped beating by then? Is this really as routine as it seems? I need some actual data or expert analysis before I can fully buy into this 'hero' narrative...