Avy Air bag deployed but skier dies

[zalez]

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/249084/346/Telluride-man-dies-in-avalanche-near-ski-resort

I hoped I would never read something where an avy bag was used and the user still died

 

[Snowbird11]

http://www.watchnewspapers.com/view...-Snowboarder-in-Contention?instance=top_story

 

[newmy1]

Head trauma with a shredded avy pack. Obviously his trees. RIP

 

[skibreeze]

It's sad, but this is a perfect example of your brain being the most important avy preparedness tool you have.

He had a beacon, an avylung, an ABS, which are all great tools.

He made mistakes though, and some mistakes you can get away with, some you can't.

He was skiing in an area that is notorious for slides, skiing alone(not that this made a difference with the head trauma), and doing it while the avy conditions were high.

I hope that we can all learn from others mistakes to save our families the grief of these type of tragedies. Use your head, guys... and gals.

My sig has the Colorado avalanche center link and later today they should have a detailed report on exactly what happened. Know what the avy conditions are in your area, right now, the San Juans are very dangerous.

 

[Turbo11T]

Definately an example where the avy bag is not going to save you. Kinda like wearing your seatbelt and being crushed, burned, or drowned. The seat belt can't protect you against these things.

 

[EagleRiverDee]

Sad indeed.

 

[modsledr]

Sad story...RIP.

Perfect example of the concept taught in MOST avy awareness courses:

AVALANCHES ARE NOT SURVIVABLE!!

If you go into the back country with a little education and this ONE CONCEPT, your chances of returning home a much greater.

Live to play another day.

 

[Snowbird11]

He had a beacon, an avylung, an ABS, which are all great tools.

skibreeze,

do you know if it was a the new, stronger air bag material from this season or the older harder to pack kind? were both of the twin bags damaged or just one?

 

[skibreeze]

skibreeze,

do you know if it was a the new, stronger air bag material from this season or the older harder to pack kind? were both of the twin bags damaged or just one?

No idea, sounds like a brutal deal..

Just heard from the local sheriff that there was an avy at Wolf Creek with three involved, with one killed. I think that they were Loveland ski patrollers.

Snow was great today, but the base is nasty sugar and we felt some whoomping on some flat areas. The hills are super iffy now with the buried monster just waiting for people to trigger

 

[Snowbird11]

No idea, sounds like a brutal deal..

Just heard from the local sheriff that there was an avy at Wolf Creek with three involved, with one killed. I think that they were Loveland ski patrollers.

Snow was great today, but the base is nasty sugar and we felt some whoomping on some flat areas. The hills are super iffy now with the buried monster just waiting for people to trigger

sad news:
http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_19982337

 

[The Fourth Wolf]

skibreeze,

do you know if it was a the new, stronger air bag material from this season or the older harder to pack kind? were both of the twin bags damaged or just one?

Does it really matter? If you get slammed into the timber at 50 miles an hour with a thousand tons of snow pushing you, the bag could be made of Kevlar and titanium...you're dead.

 

[Goinboardin]

Does it really matter? If you get slammed into the timber at 50 miles an hour with a thousand tons of snow pushing you, the bag could be made of Kevlar and titanium...you're dead.

Just want to point out that a large dry slab can run 80-120 mph... I've seen some insane debris piles this season, no doubt they were near or at those speeds judging by how far they traveled on nearly flat ground.

I wonder if this skier had a helmet on? Sad deal either way. My condolences go to his family and friends. Please do not ski/ride alone.

Here is a link to the CAIC accident report: http://avalanche.state.co.us/acc/acc_report.php?acc_id=442&accfm=inv

 

[Snowbird11]

Does it really matter? If you get slammed into the timber at 50 miles an hour with a thousand tons of snow pushing you, the bag could be made of Kevlar and titanium...you're dead.

yes, it does matter. speaking from my point of view, i'd rather come in and pick up a body on top of the snow than have to expose myself longer and have to search, then dig for another half hour. it may sound callous but you should consider how your decisions, preparedness and gear, or lack there of, may effect the lives of those left behind.