Winter season 2014/15 - wide range of avalanche airbags
But now to the range of avalanche backpacks. The avalanche airbag pioneer ABS (Peter Aschauer) paved the way for today's large market for avalanche airbag systems over two decades. Competition on the market has only intensified in recent years with new systems and backpacks. For the end customer, this has led to the welcome consequence that the range on offer is increasing, prices are falling and innovative alternatives are available; at the same time, however, the market is becoming more confusing. It is therefore worth taking a closer look and finding out about the different backpacks and systems.
Which airbag systems are available and how do they differ?
Up until 2013, there were five different avalanche airbag systems: The systems from ABS, Snowpulse and their further development by Mammut (since 2011), Backcountry Access (BCA), Wary (Avi-Vest) and Mystery Ranch. The latter two companies come from the USA, focus mainly on the North American market and are hardly available in Europe, if at all - they are therefore neglected in the following considerations. BCA was taken over by K2 in 2013 and is now also available in many stores. Two new systems have been available since fall 2014 - Alpride (previously only installed by Scott) and JetForce by Black Diamond (also installed by the in-house companies Pieps and POC). The Alpride system uses the familiar technique of inflating the balloons using compressed gas. However, it uses a different gas mixture (and less pressure) in two smaller cartridges that can also be transported in an airplane. The JetForce system, on the other hand, is based on the electrical operation of a high-performance turbine, which inflates the balloons just as quickly - in around three seconds. The main advantage of the latter system is that the airbag can be deployed as often as required, e.g. for training purposes (the battery can be recharged overnight) and that no problematic high-pressure cartridges are required. This is because high-pressure gas cartridges may only be taken on air travel under certain conditions - and in some regions not at all (USA, Canada). The systems from ABS, Snowpulse, Mammut and BCA also use compressed gas to inflate the buoyancy chambers, but Mammut, Snowpulse and BCA offer refillable aluminum cartridges that can be transported empty.
How do the buoyancy chambers of the various systems differ?System (Protection Airbag System, since 2013). Mammut also offers the lighter and cheaper R.A.S. system (Removable Airbag System, since 2011). The difference between R.A.S. and P.A.S. or Lifebag balloons lies in the way the airbags are shaped and where they are positioned when inflated. The latter are inflated behind the head at the top of the backpack and expand to the right and left of the head up to the chest (some of the balloons are located in the carrying straps of the backpack). This can possibly reduce mechanical injuries to the head and upper body during an avalanche.4 The R.A.S. system is triggered at the top of the backpack, the balloons also expand next to the backpack, but remain behind or next to the body. The same applies to the Alpride, BCA and JetForce systems, although the ratios of volume above the backpack (behind the head) to next to the backpack (behind the arms) vary.
The ABS system still uses two separate balloons (so-called TwinBags), which are inflated exclusively on the sides of the backpack. At 170 liters, the TwinBag balloons have a fairly large buoyancy volume; only the buoyancy bodies of the JetForce system are larger at 200 liters. The other systems have around 150 liters. A direct correlation between airbag volume and burial depth or other positive rescue effects (e.g. position of the head after burial) and the volume or positioning of the buoyancy bodies has not yet been proven (due to insufficient "real" case numbers").
Backpack variability through interchangeable airbag systems or through ABS license partners
If you opt for the ABS system, you buy a base unit (Powder, Vario or Vario Limited Silver Edition) and can then choose between different ABS backpack attachments. The attachments are simply connected with a zipper (ABS Zip-Ons). The latter two basic units can also be combined with a Komperdell back protector. In addition, there are now compatible attachments from many other backpack manufacturers, most of which can be used as backpacks without ABS (e.g. in summer) by means of an independent carrying system (ABS Zip-On Partner, only the Evoc Zip-Ons do not have their own carrying system!).
In addition, ABS has awarded licensing cooperations and other manufacturers have developed their own backpacks in which the ABS system is permanently installed (so-called ABS Inside Partner). So far, only Ortovox has developed its own line here and has developed the interchangeable M.A.S.S. based on the ABS system, which fits into various backpacks and can be changed by the user. The ABS Limited Silver Edition is the highest-priced product from ABS and, apart from the silver color, differs from the conventional Vario unit only in terms of weight and the fact that a silver backpack cover and a carbon cartridge are included.
Mammut has turned its attention to the variability of avalanche backpacks with its removable R.A.S. and P.A.S. systems, and ten and five different backpacks respectively can now be purchased in which the same airbag system can be installed. Mammut now also grants licenses and gives other backpack manufacturers the opportunity to integrate the R.A.S. system (R.A.S. Inside Partner). Lifebag and JetForce systems are permanently integrated into the respective backpack, but the JetForce system is also available from other backpack manufacturers (JetForce Inside Partner). The Alpride system is also removable, but can currently only be installed in Scott backpacks - other manufacturers are likely to be added in the future.
