1. Highest Survival Rate

Of the 262 persons whose ABS® avalanche airbag was activated, 97% survived, and 84% were uninjured.

How does one measure the efficiency of avalanche rescue devices? Very systematically, by analyzing as many real avalanche accidents as possible. Investigations carried out since 1991 by the independent and internationally renowned SLF Swiss Avalanche Institute in Davos have clearly revealed that ABS® systems significantly reduce the risk of being buried by an avalanche.

When a serious avalanche occurs, your chances of survival depend on where you are located in the critical phase of the avalanche, when it comes to a halt: buried under the snow or visible on the surface. If you are completely buried, there is nothing you can do that will help you to be rescued. You are helplessly dependent on others. Even if victims are usually buried at a depth of just 1 meter, they are basically encased in concrete by the dense avalanche snow and normally cannot move. Your airways are usually blocked and you cannot breathe by yourself or using apparatus. Even if you are wearing a transceiver device on your body, the chances of being rescued alive are only about 50%. The time it takes to dig a person out of the extremely compressed snow alone is often too long to rescue the person alive. The top priority is therefore to avoid being buried, because you can only help your buddies if you are not buried yourself.

With ABS®:
- In 97% of avalanches during which ABS® systems were activated, the airbag was visible on the surface when the avalanche came to a halt. This allows the person to immediately take self-rescue measures or be rescued by a friend.
- As a result, 97% of people who activated their ABS® avalanche airbag survived the accident, only 3% did not.
- 84% of all avalanche victims who activated their ABS® system remained unharmed and simply suffered from shock!

Without ABS®:
- In the same avalanches, 67 people were not wearing an ABS® avalanche airbag. Of these, only 57% were visible on the surface when the avalanche came to a halt.
- In total, 25% of the people without an ABS® avalanche airbag died.

These independent statistics provide impressive proof of the effectiveness of the ABS® system. Only 3% of avalanche victims with ABS® systems did not survive. On the other hand, 25% of the victims without an ABS® system died as a result of the avalanche.

ABS® is the only self-rescue system that has proven its life-saving effectiveness over many years. With an ABS® airbag you are eight times safer in the event of an avalanche and have the greatest chance of survival.

2. German Engineering

The original ABS® self-rescue system – developed, manufactured and tested by avalanche experts since 1985. Survival made in Germany.

Is there anything more valuable than human life? At ABS®, your survival is our priority. Since 1985, the engineers at ABS® have been conducting research into emergency equipment for avalanches in close collaboration with mountain professionals, independent institutes, universities and athletes. Our extensive practical knowledge is implemented in innovations, optimized operation, functionality and increased ease of use.

Our practical experience at ABS® results in constant enhancements. By way of example, we replaced the round and rectangular mono-airbags by our more effective TwinBags several years ago. Similarly, ABS® has replaced the mechanical Bowden cable activation system, which other manufacturers consider to be the state of the art, by the far more effective pneumatic activation system. The innovative ABS® Wireless Activation remote radio activation system offers even higher levels of safety for friends or whole groups. Furthermore, ABS® has replaced the heavy steel cartridges with ultralight carbon cartridges. The patented ABS® Vario system is the practical, individual and functional multi-purpose backpack system for all winter sports. This uncompromising focus on practical use is the reason why the ABS® TwinBag system is so efficient. Their build and manufacturing technology go beyond the stringent requirements of the TÜV German technical control authority.

Innovative leadership and the highest quality standards come together in every single ABS® TwinBag, making it the priceless companion for off-piste snow sport enthusiasts.

3. Double Safety

Double safety through two separate TwinBags. If one airbag is damaged the other will remain inflated for a sufficient length of time.

Why does the number TWO play such a crucial role in natural balance? Why do we stand on two legs and do why birds fly with two wings? The answer is simple: balance, performance, safety. 

Why is this also important for your avalanche emergency equipment?

Firstly, because the two ABS® TwinBags have, through years of testing, been found to be clearly superior compared to the original arrangement placed behind the head. The side-mounted ABS® TwinBags are flexible and move with the avalanche. Consequently, in every situation, maximum use is made of the volume and lifting surface. Your ABS ® TwinBags reduce the downfall turbulence and allow you to assume a natural brace position. Serious injuries, in particular to the head and spine, are usually avoided.

And secondly, even if one of the two ABS® TwinBags is damaged, there is usually sufficient remaining volume to prevent total burial. For ABS, this extensive double safety is an important practical requirement.

In an emergency, two safety chambers offer you significant advantages. ABS® TwinBags are the most effective self-rescue systems and offer you double the safety.

4. Pneumatic Pull

Modern pyrotechnic-pneumatic activation for maximum reliability.

Why are fractions of seconds critical? You are riding in deep powder. Suddenly a bang. You notice how cracks form across the slope and how you are moving downwards with the snow. Now it's a matter of seconds. Every movement of the hand must be right and there is no time to make a mistake.

This is why ABS® uses the most reliable activation technology: pyrotechnic-pneumatic activation. A quick pull with little force and the system inflates irreversibly at the speed of sound. Within a few moments, the ABS® TwinBags inflate. Without compromise, quickly and with absolute certainty.

Advanced technology for extreme outdoor requirements, the fastest and most reliable activation system, with a minimum of potential malfunctions. An important advantage for you is that the activation handle is not permanently connected to the avalanche airbag system. You can remove and attach the handle at any time. You will benefit from this significant advantage by avoiding unwanted activations. The Bowden cables used in other systems must be pre-tensioned before every activation and are, therefore, always enabled. This results in frequent accidental activation. This is why ABS® replaced the Bowden activation mechanism over 10 years ago and switched to the more practical pneumatic activation system.

The ABS® pneumatic pull guarantees the fastest, most reliable and, by far, easiest activation for your personal safety. Without compromise, instantly and used successfully in hundreds of avalanches.

5. See And Flee

Unobstructed view and unrestricted movement allow you to escape from the avalanche.

Can you escape from an avalanche? Yes, in some cases it is possible. The vast majority of avalanches winter sport enthusiasts get caught up in are known as wind slabs. They are almost always caused by the victim. Wind slabs are usually 50 to 100 meters wide and are less than 100 meters long. If you react quickly and correctly when the avalanche breaks, then you can escape from it.

If you do not fall, you have a realistic chance of making it to safety.  

To achieve this, two requirements must be met: you must act immediately and the airbag system must not get in your way. The moment you recognize an avalanche situation, the first thing you need to do, without any delay whatsoever, is to activate the ABS® TwinBag system. If you fall during your escape ride – and these falls are usually very turbulent – you will lose almost all means of control, and the likelihood of being able to activate the airbag by yourself will be very slim.

Mono-bag systems that are built into the shoulder straps of the backpack and are tight around your head restrict your view and interfere with your sense of direction. This significantly hinders your attempt to escape from the avalanche.

The ABS® TwinBags are as one with your body, do not hinder you even when inflated and help to achieve your top-priority goal: not to be buried.

6. Dynamic Lift

The wide bearing surface due to laterally placed ABS® TwinBags stabilizes the body and increases the lift precisely in the critical avalanche runout zone.

Is the effect of an avalanche airbag based on the same principle as a life jacket? No! This is a common misconception. Why? Because an avalanche is not a liquid, like water. It is made of granular material, comprising particles and chunks of snow of various sizes.

During an avalanche, the material is constantly mixed and unmixed. You can observe this effect every morning in your breakfast cereal. Interestingly, the larger ingredients such as nuts and dried fruit are normally on top. Scientists call this phenomenon segregation. It is also often referred to as the "Brazil nut effect". In 2001, scientists at the University of Chicago proved the following statement: "In granular mixtures or granular materials, especially large granules will work their way up to the top, even if their specific weight should, in fact, force them to the bottom. The developers of the ABS® system have used these scientific findings and optimized the ABS® system according to the rules of the "Brazil nut effect".

ABS® incorporates these scientific findings and an analysis of hundreds of avalanche accidents in its product development.

The ratio of additional volume, buoyancy and the overall shape with your body is decisive.  

In the most dangerous phase, when the avalanche comes to a halt, the rapidly compressing snow forms a solid mass consisting of lumps of snow, slabs and ice chunks. In this situation, you will only stay on the top if you are lying flat and are sliding on the top of the snow. Round or cushion-like head airbags located around your head only offer little additional lifting surface. Your ABS® TwinBags have been designed to ensure that you are in the most horizontal position possible when the avalanche hits you and effectively prevent you from sinking back into the snow.

An avalanche has three phases. The start, the breaking up of the wind slab, the descent of the snow masses and the halt and solidification phase. What are the interactions between these phases and an avalanche victim with an activated avalanche airbag? During the start phase, it provides the means of immediate escape; during the descent, the ABS® TwinBag prevents you from sinking back into the snow, and during the crucial halting phase, it allows you to slide on the surface of the deposited snow.

Why is a horizontal position so important during the halt phase?

The two ABS® TwinBags attached along the sides of your body place you in a horizontal position. The risk of getting stuck in the solidifying layers of snow and being buried by the following avalanche layers is significantly reduced. In an ideal situation, you will be pushed forwards on the compressed layer of snow instead of getting stuck.

Sufficient increase in volume and maximum lifting surface - these are the requirements for your highly efficient and modern avalanche airbag. The ABS® TwinBag system meets these criteria like no other avalanche airbag. The 97% survival rate is the proof.

7. Vario Modular & Safe

Convenient volume or style change without fiddling with safety relevant components.

The Vario system ensures that you are always reliably equipped with the ABS TwinBag system, whatever your planned activity. Depending on your requirements, packs with a volume of between 15 and 40 liters can be quickly and easily zipped onto the Vario Base Unit with integrated ABS system. There is no need for any complicated conversion of the system.

The Vario Base Unit is available as a standard version or alternatively as a Protector-compatible base unit, which can also be combined with a Protector developed specially for ABS if required.

The Powder line also offers complete flexibility for freeriders: zip-ons with a volume or 5 or 15 liters can be easily zipped onto the narrow and light Powder Base Unit.

An even wider selection is available thanks to our Compatible Partners. These partners offer zip-ons in a range of colors, sizes and incorporating special features which are also compatible with the Vario or Powder Base Units.

8. Maximum Visibility

In 97% of all documented avalanche accidents with activated airbags, the TwinBags were visible on the surface.

How long does it take to rescue a visible avalanche victim? Admittedly, when we developed the ABS® airbag, we initially only considered the "staying on top" requirement, in other words, preventing victims from being buried in the avalanche. But after some initial testing, it soon became clear that there was another important aspect. After every avalanche, the TwinBags were visible when the avalanche had come to a halt, even if the victim could not free himself.

Whether you are on a ski tour or freeriding, you should never be out on your own. If you are caught in an avalanche and activate your ABS® TwinBag, your buddies can normally keep track of where you are in the avalanche. Your friends can see your airbags, know instantly where you are and immediately come to your rescue. The time-consuming, highly stressful and error-prone search in difficult terrain is avoided. 

Thanks to their optimal visibility, ABS® TwinBags significantly reduce the residual risk of your being buried.

9. Lightweight

Low weight due to the extremely lightweight carbon cartridge.

Alongside high reliability, functionality and comfort, weight is another important factor for ABS. To allow you to enjoy your deep powder snow trips even more without having to carry excess weight around, in 2010 ABS introduced an ultralight carbon cartridge. The carbon cartridge can be used with any ABS TwinBag - resulting in a weight saving of almost 50% compared to the steel cartridge.

10. Easy Pack and Use

Simple and safe to pack and quickly ready again for operation - after recommended training activation or in an emergency.

How can you increase your safety even further? Through regular training.

Your ABS® TwinBags are approved by the German Technical Control Board, TÜV, CE certified and meet the latest safety requirements. But to ensure that you act correctly and do not lose any time in the case of an emergency, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the system. Activate your ABS® TwinBags – whether at home, in the mountains or at a dealer.

Even the best rescue equipment can only be effective if you know how to use it properly. This is particularly true of avalanche airbags. If you need to activate your ABS® TwinBags, they must always be completely ready for use. Every move you make must be right. But you will only achieve this if you perform test activations before the winter season starts. It's not just about automating the sequence of moves. Mental training, uncompromising actions, the absolute will to control the situation, to fight, not to be buried by the mass of snow: all this will help you to react quickly and correctly in the stressful situation of an avalanche.

Practical experience has shown time and again just how important regular training is. This is why ABS® supports personal training activations which means you only need to pay a small handling fee. Please make the most of this training. It can be crucial to your survival.

Your survival with your ABS® system depends on whether you can act properly when under stress. Do not leave your life to chance. Please prepare yourself as well as possible by performing regular activations.

Can I repack my ABS® TwinBag myself after an activation? This is precisely the question we addressed in countless training courses and tests and, as a result, have optimized the packing process countless times.

Avalanche airbags are emergency equipment. Emergencies will normally be an exceptional experience for you, so you may forget some important functions and details. This is why we at ABS® have done everything in our power to optimize zero-maintenance and reliability. That is why rhe ABS® TwinBag is not only very fast but, above all, very easy and reliable to repack. You can therefore prepare the system quickly and reliably for the next activation. Whether in the mountains, a cabin or at home, this will only take you a few minutes. Every ABS® TwinBag comes with 25 years of practical handling experience. Easy to pack, fool-proof replacement of the activation unit and the simple activation steps make the ABS® TwinBag system the most user-friendly avalanche airbag. At ABS®, you, as a human being, take center stage. This is why safe and reliable handling is so important to us.