During a trench rescue, what is the immediate danger due to a collapse?

In a trench rescue scenario, the immediate danger due to a collapse primarily relates to the victim's reduced ability to breathe. When a trench collapses, the soil can bury the victim, restricting airflow and making it increasingly difficult for them to breathe. This is a critical concern, as the victim's survival can quickly become dependent on how rapidly they can be freed from the debris.

While injury from falling debris, electric shock, and lack of visibility are legitimate concerns in a trench rescue situation, they are not as immediate as the threat to the victim's ability to breathe. Falling debris can certainly lead to injury, and electric shock poses a significant risk if there are active electrical hazards nearby. The lack of visibility can affect the rescuers' ability to navigate and operate effectively during the rescue. However, the urgency of ensuring that a victim can breathe makes the reduced ability to breathe the most pressing danger immediately following a trench collapse.