The 10 SURVIVAL PRINCIPLES of the
ABS avalanche airbag
The 10 survival principles of the ABS® avalanche airbag prove how effective the ABS® system is, and clearly attest to the high survival rates offered by this true original.
1) Highest Survival Rate
Investigations carried out since 1991 by the independent and internationally renowned SLF Swiss Avalanche Institute in Davos have clearly shown that ABS systems significantly reduce the risk of being buried by an avalanche. The results of the studies speak for themselves: Out of 262 people who activated their ABS® avalanche airbag, 97% survived and 84% of them were uninjured. This makes ABS® the only self-rescue system that has proven its life-saving effectiveness over many years. ABS® makes life eight times safer for freeriders and ski tourers.
2) German Engineering
The inhouse engineers at ABS® have been busy with R&D activities since 1985, working closely with mountain professionals, independent institutes, universities and athletes to continually improve the system. Based on extensive experience from the field, we replaced mono airbags with our more effective TwinBags several years ago. ABS® also replaced the mechanical Bowden cable activation system with the far more effective pneumatic activation system. ABS® Wireless Activation, the carbon cartridge and the popular Vario system all prove that when it comes to practical effectiveness, ABS® refuses to compromise.
3) Double Safety
TwinBags have, through years of testing, been found to be clearly superior to mono airbags. An avalanche places great strain on each airbag. Even if one of the two ABS® TwinBags is damaged, there is usually sufficient remaining volume to prevent total burial. Manufacturers of mono airbags save costs by omitting this important and practical additional safety feature. The side-mounted TwinBags are flexible and move with the avalanche. Consequently, maximum use is made of the volume and lifting surface. The TwinBags reduce the downfall turbulence to prevent serious injury.
4) Pneumatic Pull
If disaster strikes, there is no time for mistakes or malfunctions. That 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. The Bowden cables used in simple systems must be pre-tensioned before every activation, with hair-trigger readiness. This frequently results in unintended activation. This prompted ABS® years ago to switch to pneumatic activation, which is more suited to practical use.
5) See and Flee
You need an unobstructed view and complete freedom of movement if you are to escape from an avalanche. That is why the ABS® TwinBag is designed so it can be activated without hesitation at the first sign of an avalanche, with no risk of obstructing the wearer. The TwinBags work as one with your body, helping you achieve your top-priority goal – escaping burial.
6) Dynamic Lift
During an avalanche, the material is constantly mixed and unmixed in a process called the segregation effect. In granular mixtures, large pieces work their way up to the top. The TwinBags were designed in light of this scientific finding. The two ABS® TwinBags are positioned at the side of the body, keeping the victim as flat as possible on top of the avalanche. A vertical position creates an anchoring effect, and minimizing this effect is the key to reducing the risk of being buried in the snow during the avalanche run-out.
7) No Bug Effect
The ABS® TwinBags do not rotate the body into the dangerous and helpless supine position, robbing the victim of all control as the avalanche descends, with no hope of avoiding injury by collisions or sinking into the avalanche. The system has proven its effectiveness in hundreds of avalanches.
8) Maximum Visibility
In 97% of all documented avalanche accidents with activated airbags, the TwinBags were visible on the surface. That means the rest of the group usually know exactly where a victim is in the avalanche, so they can dig him or her out more quickly. Maximum visibility means that ABS® TwinBags reduce any residual risk from being buried.
9) Easy Pack and Use
The packing process of the ABS® system has been optimized several times over 25 years of practical use. Compared with many other mono-bags, the ABS® TwinBag is not only faster but, importantly, easier and more reliable to repack.
10) Inflate It
The ABS® TwinBags must be ready at all times in case they ever need to be activated – with no room for compromise. Every move you make must be right. That is why ABS® encourages regular practice activations before and during the winter season, and does not charge retailers for refill. The customer only has to pay a small handling fee to the retailer.
ABS TwinBag® for life
For avalanche experts the main priority for people caught up in an avalanche is to avoid being buried. A quick tug on the ABS® TwinBag® activation handle is all it takes to instantly inflate two airbags with a total volume of 170 liters. This extra volume will almost certainly prevent the wearer from being buried. The two ABS® TwinBags are positioned at the side of the body, keeping the avalanche victim as flat as possible on top of the avalanche, creating a dynamically shaped lifting surface. Compared with mono airbags, this generates a much greater lifting effect precisely where it is needed the most – in the critical avalanche run-out zone. The two separate airbags make the system twice as reliable, with clear lines of sight and complete freedom of movement even after the airbags are activated. After all, you can only help your companions if you are not buried yourself. The results of the studies speak volumes in support of the ABS® TwinBag® system: Out of 262 people who activated their ABS® avalanche airbag, 97% survived and 84% of them were uninjured.*
*Source: SLF, known and documented accidents with ABS avalanche airbags, August 2010.
