Latest Gear: Avalanche Airbags
A quick guide to the avalanche airbags on the market
When they first appeared a couple of decades or so ago, I’m not sure anyone could have predicted just how popular avalanche airbags would become. They are now a regular sight in the backcountry the world over and have become an important and accepted part of avalanche safety.
This popularity has fuelled development and there are now several options for anyone looking to add one to their arsenal. This is a quick guide to the differences between the popular systems and brands on the market. Please bear in mind this is not an exhaustive review and anyone who’s looking to buy one should head to their local shop to ask some questions and try some packs on. They all fit a little differently and as with any pack, fit and comfort is a crucial element.
The aim of any airbag is simple; to try and make the wearer of the pack the biggest ‘thing’ within the moving snow, thus enabling the person to remain on the surface of the avalanche. The inflated bag should also protect the user from possible trauma associated with hitting rocks and trees during the slide. Currently there are 4 main systems on the market. Some are exclusive to one brand, some are used by several brands. Here’s a quick breakdown.
ABS
Perhaps the most recognisable airbag out there, ABS have been in the business of making airbags longer than anyone else. Their system uses a compressed gas cylinder that inflates twin airbags via a small explosive charge. Used cartridges can only be refilled by returning to an ABS dealer. ABS produce their own packs and also licence the system’s use out to other brands. ABS technology comes in both a standard ‘built in’ design and the Vario system which can be swapped between different packs. Many brands use ABS technology these days including The North Face, Dakine, Osprey and Ortovox.
Mammut / Snowpulse
Mammut purchased Snowpulse a while back and now offer a few variations of the original system. Snowpulse technology uses a gas cartridge similar to ABS. The original and standard version is shaped to wrap around the user’s head and shoulders thus providing increased protection against impact. Newer options include the R.A.S (Removable Airbag System) system which is a conventional airbag shape but is swappable between R.A.S compatible packs (much like ABS Vario). This is used by several different brands including Jones and Norrona. Mammut themselves recently developed the P.A.S (Personal Airbag System) which fits their own line of packs. Cartridges can be refilled by the user at certified locations.
BCA
BCA are a more recent brand to enter the airbag market. Their Float airbags are amongst the lightest and most competitively priced out there. The compressed air cylinder can be refilled at a variety of certified locations including some paint ball and scuba shops and at very little cost. The fact that BCA packs use compressed air rather than gas like ABS and Mammut means airline travel may be a little less of hassle too. Definitely one to consider if you’re on a tight budget.
Black Diamond JetForce
The most recent addition to the airbag market, JetForce packs from Black Diamond use a Lithium Ion battery powered fan to inflate the airbag. The really big advantage with this system is that the airbag can be inflated multiple times without having to refill a gas cylinder. Crucially this lets the user practice airbag deployment before the event to become more accustomed and comfortable with useage. Airline travel should also be easier too as there are no compressed cylinders or explosive devices to transport. It looks like fan powered systems might constitute the ‘future’ where airbag technology is concerned. Arc’teryx will release their battery powered fan airbag, the Voltair, for winter 2016 / 2017. Check out last month’s gear news for more details on that.
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