Interesting Article about Avalanche Airbags

[elks]

I found several wise words and cautionary tales in this article. Thought I'd share.

http://www.adn.com/2012/02/19/2326372/snow-enthusiasts-split-on-use.html

 

[snoseek]

I would be all over buying one of these if they weren't so damn expensive. Most BC I've done is solo so a beacon is essentially worthless.

Knowledge is the single handed most important tool and the more you know the less you'll push into sketchy snowpacks.

 

[drjeff]

25 year data from Europe, shows that the air bag had a success rate of 3%, and it best used in above treeline, bowl type situations where blunt force trauma from trees, etc is much less likely. Pretty telling bit of evidence from the article when one takes the time to do some full research on a product before implementing its use.

The reality is, and for some this will be tough to take, is that there are just some lines in certain conditons where the risk of a catastrophic event is greater than any currently available safety device. This hopefully won't turn into a situation where the added confidence of the perceived large protection potential of a device ends up increasing the overall fatality rate by encouraging more and more people with a safety device to regularly head into more dangerous situations

 

[elks]

This hopefully won't turn into a situation where the added confidence of the perceived large protection potential of a device ends up increasing the overall fatality rate by encouraging more and more people with a safety device to regularly head into more dangerous situations

I think that is clearly the risk we face as this type of device will undoubtedly become as commonplace as a beacon and probe for backcountry skiers. While I think it's a great technology and I hope more people will start wearing them, I also hope that the younger generations, and the public at large, will be educated to understand its limitations.

 

[Nick]

Just came across this account on Engadget as well, I think it was for the same video that was posted earlier

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/skier-saved-from-deadly-avalanche-by-airbag-backpack/