2. Canister Pressure Check
If you have a canister-style avy pack, check the bottle pressure every time you ride. Obviously we're not scuba diving, but the analogy that a scuba diver wouldn't dive without checking his or her bottle pressure carries some weight here. No point in wearing a 30-pound avy pack if it won't open the one time you really need it.
Same goes for fan-powered avy bags. Charge your pack before every ride, and remember to turn it on when you put it on.