An airbag story

[MOSKIDOO]

HARD PULL FLOAT

After reading all these posts and owning a firts gen FLOAT 30 I wonder one thing. It seems so simple but could be some of the problems noted. I have test fired my pack and it was real easy to pull the handle I thought, but before I had ever test fired it I had heard about this problem and gave my pack a "once over". I noticed something that could cause a "hard pull". Where the cable comes down through the shoulder strap it runs through a small loop. I made sure my cable (covered part) was all the way through this loop and have since used a small zip tie to secure it there. If the covered part of the cable was on the top side of the loop and the bare cable running throught the loop I could see how the exposed part of the cable and its outer cover could catch on this loop when you pull on the handle. This would create a "hard pull" due to the fact that when you are pulling on the handle it is pulling on the entire cable catching on the loop and not letting the cable inside pull through the outer cover thus releasing the pin. I may try my pack again tomorrow with the cable loose in the strap and see if I notice a difference. To me the cable should be secured at the point of the handle.

 

[Dustin_R]

For those who care, we tested both float 30's last night and there were not any problems. Fired fine, trigger pull was easy enough and it was simple to put back together. I may have jumped the gun a bit getting pissed that there were problems with a spendy pack I had just bought.

BCACanada:

You are very right about practicing having the pack on and making pulls. I practice with the beacon so might as well practice with the pack. It was pretty cool setting that sucker off to!!

 

[dirkw]

Anyways I posted this because I thought that it was important to remind folks and myself to test and maintain our equipment such as airbags and transceivers regularly. Perhaps check your airbag manufacturers web site to see what they recommend for maintenance as well as any updates or recalls.
I recently pulled my airbag to test it and it sure did give me peace of mind when it inflated. (I had previously gone 2 years without ever pulling it.)
Also I believe that it's important to make good sound decisions on how, when and where we ride based on avalanche conditions not on the safety equipment we use. On occasion I have found myself justifying (in my mind) riding a certain slope in uncertain conditions because I wear an airbag. Not smart.

Hope this helps.

Wow. Scary story with a good end. Shows that I need to test my equipment more often to make sure it's working. Thanks for posting!

 

[snowreaper]

Wow. Scary story with a good end. Shows that I need to test my equipment more often to make sure it's working. Thanks for posting!

Sound advice. I'm fairly new to the snowmobiling world. Do you think all these precautions should be taken even for a leisure trail rider?

 

[Flange]

So now I'm hearing that these should be test fired at elevation. Story is it might work at home but might not at higher elevation at lower pressure. Any truth to this?

 

[backcountryislife]

So now I'm hearing that these should be test fired at elevation. Story is it might work at home but might not at higher elevation at lower pressure. Any truth to this?

I can't see how the mechanism would be affected by altitude?

 

[Flange]

But isn't there an issue with some of the canisters? Isn't that the reason some of these bags haven't fired?

 

[onepicknick]

I got the float 30 on a waiting list now it got me a little concerned I guess I will test it this weekend just to make sure

Well I finally tested my bca bag and here are the results the canister blew just fine but the bag did not deploy so I'm wondering if anybody had a similar problem.

 

[DARKO]

The common theme I hear when people discuss there brand of airbag is "It was the least expensive" or "It's sledder specific design" then finally "it's a fool proof system, nitro charged and 26 yrs of R&D". 3 packs noted there, I feel there's truth to all of those.

As I recently considered switching from my ABS, I looked into "other brands", between pin's, o-rings, going to a scuba shop to fill, and other things I decided to stay put. Reason being it's very user friendly, very little room error when screwing on a canister and clicking in the "trigger".

After reading this thread and discussing with other pack owners it blows me away how people spend $650 to $1000.00 and have no clue how it opperates, how to re pack it, weight the canister, install them etc. 2 issue's I see, 1) the purchaser doesnt care nor take the time to properly listen to the dealer selling them the pack 2) there are so many dealers carrying these packs now, some with little or ZERO knowledge. When I went to a sled shop last week to get a first hand look at the Snowpulse in person and researching the fook out of it online, I couldnt believe the dealer had such a lack of knowledge on this pack. They had no clue how it worked, how to re-fill it, repack it or the opperating system. I knew 99% more that they did on the pack after doing my own online research, the 1% they knew was cost on the pack. Very sad, my point being if someone new to these Avy packs rolls in to that dealer, dealer wacks them over the head for the pack, kicks him/her out the door never test firing it or setting it properly the result is going to be another story of an improper bag opperation, possibly at the cost of someones life. Dealer happy with a sale, a dude walks out with a false sense of security. Both peoples fault IMO. The next dealer I went to yesterday carries all 3 brands and was more knowledgable than anyone I've met besides Keith @ RMX. This guy took an hour explaining the BCA and Snowpulse to me, he prolly would have kept going but I had made my decision and informed him of that. All his time and knowledge and I only spend $15 on a recharged canister and trigger (As I tested fired my own pack with him, 1st time this year). He even offered to pack it for me etc, awesome dealer, he was more concerned with selecting the proper pack for ME than making the sale and looking for the next client. What a HUGE difference one dealer to the next make.

Spend some serious time looking at all 3 packs and only purchase from someone that knows these inside out, spend the time before your money. I'd bet opperater error and "misfires" are drastically reduced. No bashing, but I honestly believe you get what you pay for IMO.

Cheers and here's to hoping no more packs fail, and to hoping none of you have to pull your pack in the real world. Just like a beacon, touch it, practice it, use it like your prom date

 

[Flange]

Well I finally tested my bca bag and here are the results the canister blew just fine but the bag did not deploy so I'm wondering if anybody had a similar problem.

Please let us know what the issue was when you find out.

 

[Ken Climb]

Darko.... Curious who the knowledgable cannister filler was in Kelowna? I'd Like to blast mine off, but dont know where to send for refill.
The cool thing I like about the BCA pack is the easy refill. Hopefully they work out the bugs asap.

 

[DARKO]

Darko.... Curious who the knowledgable cannister filler was in Kelowna? I'd Like to blast mine off, but dont know where to send for refill.

Valhalla Pure Outfitters
100-2340 Hwy 97N
Kelowna, BC V1X 4H8
(778) 478-9600

$16.74 tax incl exchange for canister and trigger. They've got lots in stock and were filled Jan 6 2011. Boxed up and ready to go !

Cheers

 

[backcountryislife]

Well I finally tested my bca bag and here are the results the canister blew just fine but the bag did not deploy so I'm wondering if anybody had a similar problem.

Have you double checked the mechanism, to see if something was loose, or some other type of possible user error? (not trying to pick on you at all, just want to understand how the can blows but the air doesn't go into the bag)

Even if it IS user error, it's one more thing for someone to be careful of... so that could help someone else.

If not user error, it'd be good to know what was wrong with it, perhaps again, there's something we can look for?

 

[catmanm7]

Just an update, but I just tested my bag. Deployed fine, and I was using a automotive knuckle gauge puller. Roughly about 38lbs of pull to get it to deploy.

 

[fredw]

i sure seam to hear these type of stories more and more about air bags, gives you that false secure feeling and then fails when needed, i have almost heard a 50/50 sucess rate wearing a bag

 

[backcountryislife]

i sure seam to hear these type of stories more and more about air bags, gives you that false secure feeling and then fails when needed, i have almost heard a 50/50 sucess rate wearing a bag

I'd like to know where you're seeing that kind of ratio? I can't say I've heard of it being anywhere near that. I've only heard of a couple failures & I know of many successes.