What action should be taken after stabilizing circulation in an avalanche victim?

After stabilizing circulation in an avalanche victim, the next critical action is to continue to clear the airway. This step is essential because a clear airway is vital for the victim's ability to breathe and receive adequate oxygen. In avalanche situations, victims may have experienced suffocation or hypoxia due to snow obstructions, which can block the airway. Ensuring the airway is open allows for effective ventilation and increases the chances of survival.

Checking for breathing, monitoring temperature, and initiating CPR, while important, are actions that depend on the outcome of the airway assessment. If the airway is not clear, the victim cannot breathe effectively, rendering those subsequent actions futile until the airway is addressed. Therefore, airway management is prioritized immediately after stabilizing circulation to ensure overall resuscitative efforts can proceed effectively.