I searched for more information and found a little more detail in an Australian online news site. It turns out that the two were rescued after only 90 minutes, so there was not much time to test the effect of being buried on hypothermia. One rescuer seemed to think the pilot took the proper action however.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25674772-5013404,00.html