Avalanche Airbags - are they worth it?

The idea behind avalanche airbags is simple: if you are caught in an avalanche you deploy a large balloon-type device that inflates from your backpack. This does two things: it increases the chances that you will remain on the surface and it increases your potential visibility to rescuers (you can also argue that to some extent it may help protect you from trauma).

Since their development in Germany in the early 80’s there has been a dramatic increase in the use of airbags and today many professionals working in avalanche terrain wear them as standard. And it is probably only a matter of time before insurers of heliski companies insist on their use.

We are firmly of the opinion that wearing an airbag is a good thing and if you ski or snowboard in the backcountry (or go heliskiing) regularly we would encourage you to get one. However, it is (very) important to realise that wearing an airbag is no way a substitute for carrying essential safety gear (a transceiver, a shovel and probe) and knowing how to use it. Neither is it a substitute for having the knowledge and experience (or being with someone who does) to make good ‘terrain based’ decisions rather than ones based on how stable you think the snow is or how safe you feel with an airbag on your back. In particular it is important to: avoid terrain traps, be wary of the slope’s steepness and avoid convex rolls and other common trigger points like shallow rocky areas and beneath cornices.

So despite the compelling evidence in support of airbags we should be conscious of attaching too much weight to them. An airbag is not some kind of magic device. In fact, “Strapping an airbag on your back mindlessly is worse than not having one at all. While thinking you are safe, your terrain choices may become bolder.” (Canadian Avalanche Association).

This season we are excited that our partners at The North Face have integrated an ABS system into their Patrol 24 Backpack. It is completely removable, air travel friendly and does not compromise the pack’s volume which is designed to accommodate all of the essential safety gear -shovel, probe, skins and more. If you are interested in seeing one of The North Face ABS packs demonstrated and learning more about avalanche safety, come to one of The North Face avalanche awareness lectures at Snow+Rock stores across the UK this November or sign up for an avalanche safety training course in Chamonix this winter (see below for details).