 Falkenberg and Næsheim held onto Bågenholm 's skis as they waited for the rescue teams to arrive . As Bågenholm first struggled in the cold water , she found an air pocket and was able to remain conscious for 40 minutes before becoming a victim of circulatory arrest . Ketil Singstad led the rescue team from the top of the mountain . He skied as fast as he could to Bågenholm 's location , where he and his rescue team tried unsuccessfully to pull her out with a rope . They then tried to dig her out , but their snow shovel could not break through the ice . Rescuers from the bottom of the mountain then arrived , bringing with them a pointed gardening shovel . They were able to cut a hole in the ice , and pulled her through at 19 : 40 . Bågenholm had been in the water for 80 minutes when she was rescued . 
