Avalanche Flotation Device tested in Invermere, British Columbia

[skidoorulz]

I understand that a ripcord must be pulled to inflate these. Is that true? My thought is if an avy hits me from the side or from the rear am I really going to be able to pull the cord. I do not know that I would even think to pull it after being hit. Don't get me wrong I think these are a good idea. Are they working on some sort of automatic deployment system?

 

[cmantle1]

I understand that a ripcord must be pulled to inflate these. Is that true? My thought is if an avy hits me from the side or from the rear am I really going to be able to pull the cord. I do not know that I would even think to pull it after being hit. Don't get me wrong I think these are a good idea. Are they working on some sort of automatic deployment system?

i think it would be tough it you were just taken by suprise frombehind, but last week i almost pulled my bag when i slap broke around me. it didnt turn into a slide, just a fracture, but the second i saw it my hand was on the pull cord. i probably should have pulled it but the slope was not steep at all and i was pretty sure the fracture wasnt going to turn into anything. so, i think if you see it happen, you have the time.

 

[deadcat]

I understand that a ripcord must be pulled to inflate these. Is that true? My thought is if an avy hits me from the side or from the rear am I really going to be able to pull the cord. I do not know that I would even think to pull it after being hit. Don't get me wrong I think these are a good idea. Are they working on some sort of automatic deployment system?

In the split second when your bowels empty into your pants and your heart sputters you pull the T handle.

I would imagine that instinct would take over. Got into a car crash a few months ago and everything was in slow motion. Hope my brain keeps me from finding out.

 

[Insaneboltrounder/sjohns]

I cant imagine a slide sneeking up on you so much you dont get a shot at grabbing the handle. sj

 

[deaner]

No offense but your post is a bit scary and if your situation is different I appologize in advance.

Why would anyone buy a $10K sled, $1K work of gear, and many other mods but beotch about the price of a safety equipment? ABS packs work and they should be on the top of anyone who rides in the backcounty's must have list along with a beacon, probe, shovel, and an av class. You can have all of the right equipment for less than $1,500.

How much does a funeral cost these days?

Thanks for the info WARI.

Im so sick of this response to this topic. Why not charge $5000 for the ABS bags and similar products then? Isnt your life worth $5000??

I agree with a number of other people on here that think the current products on the market are too expensive.

 

[Speeedracer]

Great post and info, always learning and gathering info on avies, and the safety of myself and riding group.

However, to think 'cost' of the abs packs isn't an issue with every single sled owner out there is equally as 'scary'. Very simply, the abs packs are the best option to save sledders lives, but yet most (me included) don't own one. Why? Right, wrong, or otherwise.......its due to cost. I totally agree with the cost vs the alternative, you can't justify your life with the 'cost' of any safety equipement. That..... we should all agree on!

I'm not starting an aruguement on these safety devices, but honest conversation about the real cost of the safety gear available to us. On the other side of the fence, Does the technology in a beacon (which have been around but getting better for years) justify $400? Does the technology in an inflatable vest activitated by a pull cord warrant 800-1000? (I'm not asking whether the device cost justifies your life.)

flame on.........

 

[skibreeze]

I think that the price of a new diesel truck is outrageous, that's why I'm not buying one. I did buy an ABS pack though, cheap insurance IMO. I've witnessed an avy fatality, and one of my best friends is lucky to be alive today. Seeing this will change your priorities.

There are over 30 people dead this season already, I'm sure their family's wouldn't think that the ABS packs are too expensive, even if there was only a 50% of their loved one coming home again.

If it was a priority to them, more people would find the money to get better prepared.

 

[soreloser]

strictly hypothetical question

but to you guys with the "cheap" insurance mentality. if someone made a product that guaranteed your safety, there was absolutly noway with this device you could get killed or hell even hurt that matter, would you buy it?

even if the cost was a million bucks? after all you cant put a price on a human life, right? so you HAVE to buy this in order to enjoy your hobby, right?? I mean there's just no way around it. so now the only way to enjoy the back country would be to be a millionaire.

no offense, but imho half the reason these damn devices are so spendy, is because of the "cheap" insurance mentality. cause honestly, when does it not become cheap, if a life is priceless, then it follows that there is no limit. and most companies know this.

sorry about the rant, and i do think that abs packs, beacons and most importantly classes are important. but i also believe they are VERY over priced.

 

[WARY]

Thanks everybody for your comments.................

Our goal is to offer the WARI avalanche flotation device for the same cost as a good beacon, around $500 US.

Nobody likes it when people try to sell stuff on forums, so we are a little bit uneasy about talking about selling something.

Pics and video still to come.

 

[SNOW JW]

Sell away

 

[phatty]

test results mean nothing to me

170 lbs dummy? who fits that mold?

how bout a dummy fully loaded in sled gear (including helmet) that weighs in closer to 300 lbs? Then i know it will work for any person under 300 lbs.

weighing in a little over 200, plus all my gear, cameras, shovel, probe, and survival stuff in the backpack im sure im closer to 250 lbs.

Either i go on a really good diet plan or you need to test with heavier dummies...

 

[WARY]

The rip-cord issue is a good one. Do you have time to pull it? Depends. During testing a few years ago a monster class 3 slide went big on us and damn near caught 2 of us taking pictures and video from a "safe" spot in the valley below.

After the powder cloud roared over us (sounded like a jumbo jet landing on us), we stood up and realized that neither one of us had remembered to pull the rip-cords on the AFDs we were wearing.

We have thought about voice recognition technology, where a computer would automatically deploy the device when you yelled "avalanche!" or "oh sh*****t!" or something, but the cost would be huge.....

 

[Blk88GT]

If it deployed on "oh sh*t", I'd have to pack a case of extra canisters for each ride. LOL

 

[deadcat]

Im so sick of this response to this topic. Why not charge $5000 for the ABS bags and similar products then? Isnt your life worth $5000??

I agree with a number of other people on here that think the current products on the market are too expensive.

If more people quit beotchin and started buying the price would come down.

I think that the sled in your avatar is $10K. Must of hit a nerve.

 

[SNOW JW]

??????

Ow so if they raise the price of our sleds to 15k we should just buy more of them OK

 

[reloader]

Im so sick of this response to this topic. Why not charge $5000 for the ABS bags and similar products then? Isnt your life worth $5000??

I agree with a number of other people on here that think the current products on the market are too expensive.

Actually I am sick of post like yours. Obviously your NOT willing to shell out the dough for one so why criticize others who do.
The people who whine about the prices would cry like babies if they were only $500 as well.
They would then say why cant they be $250.
Life is not cheap. pay the price and move on.

I DONT WANT A CHEAP PACK!

 

[reloader]

I also wanted to comment on being able to pull the cord.
I know that I could pull it, but everyone is different, some people freeze under moments like this.
Here is some info on documented abs cases, one in Idaho.

http://www.avalanchesafety.ca/incidenttable.pdf

http://www.snowmobile.ca/mha_internal/article.php?sid=266

 

[deadcat]

??????

Ow so if they raise the price of our sleds to 15k we should just buy more of them OK

No. If more people bought sleds the price would actually come down. There is good competition between the big 4, not overwhelming demand. We may love the sport but not too many others doo. Snowmobiling is a small market.

At least with AV safety there are other larger industries to help sales.

 

[NewMTNsldr]

BS

Once again the masses have taken an extremely informative and worthwhile thread (Thank You WARI Avalanche Research) and turned it into their own personal pizzing match.... why is it that you all are constantly compelled to trash great threads with your insistence that your opinion is the only correct one? I am all for stating your opinion as it may be insightful to others but why argue with the next guy who doesn't agree with you 100%? A lot of great knowledge not shared on here anymore because of the biotching.... what a shame....

 

[CatWoman]

Here is the story from someone this year who was caught from behind, and didn't realize at first he was in an avy. He had the pack, didn't pull the cord.

So do you all have tethers on your sled too? Read that story and see why it's relevant in regards to avy's.

WARI.....sorry your thread is getting off topic. I for one do appreciate all of your efforts, and your posting on the progress on here. I think most do appreciate it, and most are very interested in what you are doing. I know I'm appreciative of someone doing what you are doing, and at the same time trying to make it more affordable.