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Surviving an avalanche? ABS system.

You might have already heard about the ABS avalanche airbag system but let's take a closer look how it works. Is it the next step towards a higher avalanche safety? Or is it only an expensive piece of equipment? (Not talking about car breaks though.)

The science

Actually there is not that whole lot of science behind it if we look at the problem from a simplified point of view.

If you put crystal sugar along with powder sugar in the same cup and shake it you will notice that the crystal particles tend to stay above the powder ones. The longer you shake it the more of those crystals will come up on top while the powder settles below them. This action happens because of the volume and density of given particles.

Back to the ABS system

Since avalanches also consists of particles of different volume and density the same principle applies as explained earlier.

Now, imagine that you are hit by an avalanche. What happens? Yes, the most likely you are going to die if buried. But before that you still have your chance because you become one of those particles that either go deeper or will surface at some point depending on your volume and density relative to the surrounding snow.

With ABS system you lower the chances of being buried because by inflating the airbags you will add 150 liters to your overall volume. "Which has been calculated to be needed for cold, dry and loose snow. If the snow is denser, wetter and heavier less volume is needed", according to www.abssystem.com.

Watch two animations: what happens without ABS and with ABS in an avalanche. (Animations are located at the ABS avalanche airbag system website; we are only linking to them. They are WindowsMedia player format and may take a little while to download.)

Testing ABS system

There were carried extensive research tests with the ABS according to their site. Data collected from those tests show very high effectiveness of ABS because it prevents the victims from being buried which is the primary cause of death when struck by an avalanche. The ABS system website claims 98% survival rate.

Conclusion

Well, make conclusions yourself.

As for us, since the ABS is rather pro-active system than a piece of equipment that should help to recover your body, we like it. Prices vary from CAD 530.00-760.00 depending on a type of a backpack.

Activities such as heli skiing, extreme skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, telemark skiing, mountaineering and other winter backcountry activities expose you to avalanche danger on every trip so you should always follow up with the new trends of backcountry and avalanche safety. To learn more see the multimedia page.

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