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Avalanche Airbags - ABS food for thought

Advantages of an ABS pack. Please compare to competitors.

ABS has 26 years of expertise in saving lives with statistics of over 226 lives saved. Only ABS can state that they have a 98% survival rate, with 90.7% unharmed! Of the 9.3% that sustained injuries there were NO head or spine injuries and the actual injuries were 0.5% torso, 5.3% arms/legs, and 3.5% contusions or slight injuries. Statistics should be a big part of the decision to purchase an avalanche airbag. Compare the ABS statistics to all our competitors!

As a snowmobiler in an avalanche you should deploy your airbag, then try and escape to the side of the avalanche. The ABS system will not impair your vision or exit speed, because of its proven design.
When in an avalanche different manufacturer’s airbags will react in different ways. The ABS will keep you on top of the snow on your stomach looking downhill. The reasons why this is advantageous are, if a victim is horizontal or level with the snow there is less chance of injury. The avalanche snow is not an even, liquid mass. What this means is there are different densities varying from powder snow, ice slabs to various sizes of chunks of snow that all move at different speeds. The dynamic forces within an avalanche are enormous. Avalanches have different layers that move at different speeds. A big reason the ABS works is it keeps you in the top layer. Some other advantages of the ABS are you can see what is in front of you or use your arms for protection, to steer or clean snow from your face. ABS has had testimonials stating that people have been able to avoid hitting trees in avalanches because of their design. In 26 years ABS has NOT had one case of head or neck trauma.

Look at where the airbags are attached on different makes of airbags. Hundreds of case studies have shown how crucial it is that the airbag is not fixed to the backpack. The ABS airbags are hinged to the backpack in a way that they are able to absorb erratic movements of the avalanche, thus giving a cushioning effect to the body. An airbag that is wrapped over the chest and head tends to keep the person more perpendicular, so you won’t stay parallel to the snow in the top layer. This could lead to a higher risk of injury because all the buoyancy is at one end of your body. Also, if there is flotation on the front of your body the system will make you go down the avalanche back first looking uphill, thus, greatly increasing the risk of spine, torso & back injury. Most snowmobilers use a moto-cross style helmet and in the first stages of being in the avalanche you will probably fill the front of the helmet area with snow. In a face up scenario it is harder to clear your airway. The theory that if buried, some airbags will give you breathable air to keep you alive is highly improbable because the snow will more than likely fill your mouth, airway and be packed around your head.
With an ABS, if you deploy your airbags you can keep riding until you reach a safe area then deflate the bags. They will not hamper your riding.

ABS has the largest amount of airbag volume available (170L) offering you more safety.

ABS uses nitrogen filled canisters. ABS‘s research shows that compressed air in a cold wet environment is unreliable and can freeze off too easily. All ABS canisters are professionally filled, thus there is no issue about getting someone to fill your canister properly or trying to find someone that can fill an air canister in a small town.

ABS canisters are also far more user friendly to take in and out of a pack.

What is new? ABS will offer a Carbon fiber canister option later this winter. This canister will be less than half the weight of the currently used canister.

For next season, ABS will have a remote control wireless activation unit, giving you the option to deploy one of your group’s airbags if they don’t realize they are in danger.
In closing, you should buy whatever product you feel will give you the best safety. Compare the stats, compare the design, and remember why you are buying it.

Thanks for your time.
 
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I am glad you posted this because I have now for the last couple of weeks been seriously considering this sort of back pack. I have only been able to locate 3 manufactures of these kinds of backpacks. ABS, BCA, & Snowpulse. Cannot find much on the Snowpulse but the draw for me to the BCA one is the cost. Why is the ABS one $500 more than the BCA one? What does the ABS pack have that makes it worth $500 more? Not trying to upset anyone with the direct questions - it is just A LOT of money for me to spend at this time. Since I was not able to go to Haydays this year to see if anyone had one there and no one around me sells them. I have to go off of pictures, information, and what other guys are saying. I have heard nothing but good things about ABS. But it looks like there are other options out there now. Thanks.
 
air bag make you bigger..you bigger you float.....get air bag


Now if you are looking for a long list a reasons to make you feel better about which bag to buy and why you spent sooo much...read the OP post.

When I bought my bag there was only one on the market. Happy with my purchase but would it have been the same with other, less expensive,systems on the market? Probably not.

Pretty basic principle with more than one route to the solution. Pick one within your budget and learn how not to ever need it.

:beer;
 
Great info. Thanks for sharing. As with many other things, you get what you pay for in an airbag. ABS is the most expensive airbag you can buy, but there's a reason for that. Other brands are priced well below ABS, and there's a reason for that too. ABS has been around the longest and has the statistics to prove that their system works. Other manufacturers have designed their packs to be more price-friendly. For those who can only afford half of what an ABS system costs, other brands may suffice. Any airbag is going to be better than nothing at all. As long as you don't take any more risk than you would without an airbag. Just because you have one, doesn't mean you can take more risks. Sometimes, even the most advanced safety equipment in the world just isn't enough when you're dealing with mother nature.
 
at the Edmonton show RMX had the mono-airbag there for $700cdn. It looks like the original ABS bag that I bought before the dual airbags came out. may be something to check out for guys not wanting to spend $1100, but still get a product that has a proven track record.
 
I am glad you posted this because I have now for the last couple of weeks been seriously considering this sort of back pack. I have only been able to locate 3 manufactures of these kinds of backpacks. ABS, BCA, & Snowpulse. Cannot find much on the Snowpulse but the draw for me to the BCA one is the cost. Why is the ABS one $500 more than the BCA one? What does the ABS pack have that makes it worth $500 more? Not trying to upset anyone with the direct questions - it is just A LOT of money for me to spend at this time. Since I was not able to go to Haydays this year to see if anyone had one there and no one around me sells them. I have to go off of pictures, information, and what other guys are saying. I have heard nothing but good things about ABS. But it looks like there are other options out there now. Thanks.

I would say the 26 years of use vs 0 years of use is a big factor. not saying the BCA pack won't work, I would just feel more comfortable wearing something proven. I chose the ABS over the Snow Pulse because of the bag design, and being able to see if you have to pull and keep riding. they each have there good points though.
I aldo heard that the abs refills will only be 25 bucks now, is this true ?
 
I would say the 26 years of use vs 0 years of use is a big factor. not saying the BCA pack won't work, I would just feel more comfortable wearing something proven. I chose the ABS over the Snow Pulse because of the bag design, and being able to see if you have to pull and keep riding. they each have there good points though.
I aldo heard that the abs refills will only be 25 bucks now, is this true ?

Seriously doubt they are $25, considering that you need a new canister and trigger.
 
i just wanted to show everyone that you can still ride if you accidently set your bag off. This is one of the older ones but the new ones are great too. My dad wont let me ride without mine.
IMG_2026.jpg
 
Thanks for posting the info. I was wondering what the difference was. I have an abs bag already. My bag has been packed for a couple years. Does a person need to discharge it and get a new canister just to make sure? I like the sounds of the carbon fiber canister. Less weight is better for my back. I make sure money isn't an object when it comes to avy safety. If it is, any airbag is better than not having one.
 
I bought the ABS pack last year and when I got Ilooked it over inside and out. Also have to do a test fire to ensure everything is working properly. I have to say this yhing is built like a brick chit house. Stiching is awsome, material is thick and durable. The air bags are attached to the pack with heavy plastic and steel rod hinges. The shoulder straps are heavy duty with steel adjusters, Belly strap is also the same. Two more straps run under your legs from front back. Basicly I fell extremely safe with this pack on. Hopefully I will never have to test it out other than in my liveingroom!!!!!
 
Bought my abs at the vernon show this year. Very stoked on having it, i just said f#ck it and bought one because like everyone says whats your life worth right.
 
I own an ABS bag..and it is high quality...but I think the refills and triggers need to come down in price...over 100.00 for the kit plus another 60-80 to ship..especially since these are refilled bottles and triggers..I would love to test fire mine every few months during riding season, as well as own a spare bottle/trigger to carry along in case of a field deployment...but the cost involved makes either prohibitive..
 
I have heard that the BCA cartridge you can fill at a scuba store which would allow you to test fire once a year maybe and make it easier to fill and less costly. I have finally seen a picture of the BCA and it has one bag that goes from one arm around the head and down the other arm, looks good. But then the ABS has 2 bags. I do not mean to be a tight wad when it comes to saftey but it will be tough enough to come up with the $500 for the BCA let alone the $1000 for the ABS. My wife is interested in these things after talking to her about the avalanche a couple of years ago. So it does make it easier on the purchase if she is on board too. I did not know that you had to replace the trigger if you have to deploy the bags on the ABS, sounds costly. I am saving up for my trip this year, fixing the sled, so I don't have an extra $1000 just laying around. But then can you put a price on safety. If things would pick up at work then maybe it would be a different story.
 
I bought the ABS bag myself last year and I am glad I did. I have waited for ever for these things to be available in the US, they first came out in europe, and finially had a shop close by that sold it. I think that any airbag would be better than none but I must say if I had the choice last year I still would have bought the ABS pack. Years of experence and their statistics are worth the extra cash IMO
 
Saw it on the internets, it must be true!!

whatever, I guess. I am just trying to pass on some good info. and seeing as he said "we" I am guessing he might know how much he is charging for a new can. If you want to keep paying 150+ go right ahead. :mad:
 
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This year at the snowmobile shows we have been selling the refills for $25. That is for the new Yellow Canadian made canister & trigger.
The black canister & trigger refills go for $50. They are made in Europe so we have to send the empty back to Europe .

Our show special on the Dual Airbag packs has been 2 free refills with the purchase of any new ABS Vario, Escape or Freeride.

Yes the MONO Airbag is back. Here is a great opportunity for you guys to buy a ABS Airbag system with a proven track record and save some money. We have been selling the Mono at the shows for $700. Thanks to Gator for the picture of one in his post.

Keith
Rocky Mountain Xtreme
 
I have been looking into these for a long time. I even thought about making my own brand and going to market with them. My aunt runs a sowing factory that makes backpacks, bullet proof vests,swat gear, clothing, bags, ect. for the military and police. I got a new job that just didnt allow the time to take on such an endevor. In my research, I found the reason ABS is so expensive is due to import/export costs. It is entirely possible to have a pack that is as good or even better than the ABS for half the cost that is made here in the states or Canada. At the SLC snow show there were several different packs and a snow vest that was an interesting concept as well. From what I saw, the canisters are the same ones used on Fire extinguishers and maybe even Paint ball guns. They didnt reinvent the wheel here guys, there has to be different solutions that are cheaper for refills. When you know the facts, cheaper does not necessarily mean lesser quality. Do your homework and I bet you will find that other brands are perfectly good and you could have saved some money that you can now put toward some go fast parts. I am saving up for mine and i dont know yet which I will buy, but it wont be an ABS!
 
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