These just seem like such an obvious (and apparently effective) idea...
ABS System - Avalanche Airbag
A quick google shows up several reports of lives being saved by these, and the list of known cases on the ABS site makes interesting reading.
Tignes has just ordered several hundred and announced they are now standard equipment ("everyone, always") for the piste patrols.
Hopefully increasing awareness and popularity will bring the price down (although at 550 Euros-ish, they're cheaper than a top pair of skis).
Does anyone own one? Are they comfortable to ski with? Any other manufacturers apart from ABS?
At what price would it become a no-brainer decision? I guess if you ski off-piste steeps a lot it already is, but if they were the same price as a pair of boots say?
Avalanche Airbags
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Started by Admin in Ski Chatter 28-Dec-2003 - 2 Replies
Admin posted Dec-2003
The Admin Man
Davidof
reply to 'Avalanche Airbags' posted Dec-2003
I don't own an ABS but have skied with Alpine Experience in Val d'Isère and all their guides use them. There are three possible disadvantages:
1. weight and volume for long ski tours where you want to carry other kit
2. cost
3. you may not be able to pull the rip-cord in time
oh ... and don't pull the rip cord in a ski lift! However Alpine Experience seem to like the system.
The avalung may also be interesting and is not too expensive but there seem to be less success stories and it is harder to use. You are still buried with the avalang, it just buys you maybe an extra half hour if you are buried.
I can see why professionals would use them, especially in resort. The weight isn't a problem and they are putting themselves at risk day after day, especially the piste patrol.
1. weight and volume for long ski tours where you want to carry other kit
2. cost
3. you may not be able to pull the rip-cord in time
oh ... and don't pull the rip cord in a ski lift! However Alpine Experience seem to like the system.
The avalung may also be interesting and is not too expensive but there seem to be less success stories and it is harder to use. You are still buried with the avalang, it just buys you maybe an extra half hour if you are buried.
I can see why professionals would use them, especially in resort. The weight isn't a problem and they are putting themselves at risk day after day, especially the piste patrol.
Admin
reply to 'Avalanche Airbags' posted Jan-2004
Looking at the statistics, the ABS seems to have advantages over a transceiver. Being buried with a transceiver certainly improves your chance of survival, but avoiding being buried in the first place almost guarantees it.
Other than touring, where the extra weight might be an issue, it does look hard to argue against the ABS. Top safety will presumably be provided by having both a transceiver and an ABS so, with falling prices, I'd expect to see that becoming standard equipment for any half-serious off-piste skier before too long.
The downside will likely be an enhanced sense of security ("I've got an ABS so I'm invincible") leading to more incidents that would be best avoided with a bit of common sense / mountain awareness.
Other than touring, where the extra weight might be an issue, it does look hard to argue against the ABS. Top safety will presumably be provided by having both a transceiver and an ABS so, with falling prices, I'd expect to see that becoming standard equipment for any half-serious off-piste skier before too long.
The downside will likely be an enhanced sense of security ("I've got an ABS so I'm invincible") leading to more incidents that would be best avoided with a bit of common sense / mountain awareness.
The Admin Man
Topic last updated on 06-January-2004 at 08:31