Comments on: Avalanche Airbag Backpack Overview http://www.wildsnow.com/5014/avalanche-airbag-backpack-overview/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:40:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Lou Dawson http://www.wildsnow.com/5014/avalanche-airbag-backpack-overview/#comment-53293 Lou Dawson Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:36:37 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=5014#comment-53293 Anon, it is difficult keep up with all the variations on this. We'll try to add those in. Thanks, Lou Anon, it is difficult keep up with all the variations on this. We’ll try to add those in. Thanks, Lou

]]> By: anon http://www.wildsnow.com/5014/avalanche-airbag-backpack-overview/#comment-53292 anon Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:28:22 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=5014#comment-53292 Both Salewa Packs are not listed in this Overview (not listed on salewa.com but on the abs-airbag.com as a system-partner) have a look to: http://abs-airbag.de/rucksack/abs-inside-partner/ Airbag-Packs: Salewa Verbier 26 Pro ABS Salewa Mountain Guide 38 Carbon Both Salewa Packs are not listed in this Overview (not listed on salewa.com but on the abs-airbag.com as a system-partner) have a look to:
http://abs-airbag.de/rucksack/abs-inside-partner/
Airbag-Packs:
Salewa Verbier 26 Pro ABS
Salewa Mountain Guide 38 Carbon

]]> By: SR http://www.wildsnow.com/5014/avalanche-airbag-backpack-overview/#comment-51768 SR Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:14:07 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=5014#comment-51768 Tremper has some further good comments on the UAC blog on airbag pack effectiveness, including the relationship of terrain choice to effectiveness. Because some still point to individual fatalities involving airbag pack users and try to question the effectiveness of airbag packs overall as a result, I think each good discussion of the big picture is still quite helpful. Tremper has some further good comments on the UAC blog on airbag pack effectiveness, including the relationship of terrain choice to effectiveness. Because some still point to individual fatalities involving airbag pack users and try to question the effectiveness of airbag packs overall as a result, I think each good discussion of the big picture is still quite helpful.

]]> By: etto http://www.wildsnow.com/5014/avalanche-airbag-backpack-overview/#comment-51663 etto Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:32:42 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=5014#comment-51663 Marc, that is essentially the gist of it. The physical principle behind the balloons is that bigger (and lighter) objects will flow towards the top in a mass of moving particles. The important part here being "moving". When there's no motion, nothing will make you magically float upwards. In addition an avalanche/snow in motion acts almost as a fluid, but the snow gets really solid when it stops, think concrete. Which means that when the mass of the snow that includes you stop, you stop. Any additional/later snow on top will stay on top. However the balloon(s)_might_ contribute to a bigger air pocket in the snow for a buried person. This means that if you're not in the avalanche but get it on top of you in the zone where it stops, an avalanche airbag won't be much help in avoiding burial. Marc, that is essentially the gist of it. The physical principle behind the balloons is that bigger (and lighter) objects will flow towards the top in a mass of moving particles. The important part here being “moving”. When there’s no motion, nothing will make you magically float upwards. In addition an avalanche/snow in motion acts almost as a fluid, but the snow gets really solid when it stops, think concrete. Which means that when the mass of the snow that includes you stop, you stop. Any additional/later snow on top will stay on top. However the balloon(s)_might_ contribute to a bigger air pocket in the snow for a buried person.

This means that if you’re not in the avalanche but get it on top of you in the zone where it stops, an avalanche airbag won’t be much help in avoiding burial.

]]> By: Marc http://www.wildsnow.com/5014/avalanche-airbag-backpack-overview/#comment-51660 Marc Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:16:04 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=5014#comment-51660 Hi Lou, I came across this one on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=H3jDr2fRXsQ&feature=fvwp What they actually say is that you keep floating as long as the avalance is moving and fluid. But as soon as you stop you will get burried by all snow following. Makes sense to me. Maybe it's old news as it was already posted in 2011. What's your opinion on this? Is there more recent test data / experience on these balloons? Hi Lou,

I came across this one on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=H3jDr2fRXsQ&feature=fvwp

What they actually say is that you keep floating as long as the avalance is moving and fluid. But as soon as you stop you will get burried by all snow following. Makes sense to me.

Maybe it’s old news as it was already posted in 2011.

What’s your opinion on this?
Is there more recent test data / experience on these balloons?

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