avy bag oops

[Polar Express]

Last weekend, i saw something that was kinda funny. It was really only funny cuz it wasn't me though.....

A fella was taking off his avy pack on a totally flat area to get something out of it, and his handle got tangled in his straps... and ..... Pop! WOOOSSSSHHHHHH!. I saw a grown man dancing around screaming NO! NO! NO! for about 5 seconds. It was pretty funny, but then I felt bad for him.

Unfortunately for him, he had the brand that could not be charged unless you send it in. So.... his fancy, expensive safety device was reduced to a simple backpack.

This could serve as a lesson to ALL of us with avy packs, to be careful where our handles are when we must remove our packs, and be mindful not to deploy them.

Just thought i'd share...

PE

 

[Darkhorse]

Saw the same thing 2 weeks ago. We were heading back to the truck and I came around the corner to see what looked like a large orange butterfly. I almost fell off my machine laughing. He apparently was disarming it and "bang". Least we know it works

 

[tudizzle]

did he have the velcro safety strap over the handle when he did this?

 

[bailer]

I rolled my sled before and had my ABS go off. I don't know what the trigger caught on but the strange noise scared me until I realized what had happened.

I guess carrying the spare cannister and trigger is a good idea for this reason. I did have the velcro tag attached as well so I guess it snagged on something solid.

They say you should test the bags occasionally so I guess this counts!

 

[Trenchmaster]

I bought my ABS Freeride used, off of the forum, when I got it the trigger handle was corroded a bit in the fitting. After some WD40 and wiggling it around a bit it came out but so did the air bag!! oh well at least I know it works.

 

[Polar Express]

I don't know if he had the Velcro strap in place or not.

It was pretty funny, but afterwords, I felt bad for him. Now he had a fancy backpack that had lost any additional safety factor until he could get it recharged.

I respect the ABS product and history, but I think the more involved refill process is the single biggest detractor to their design. They have some GREAT features. I am concerned to hear that they can deploy while trying to disarm.

Davy

 

[bailer]

The refill is no big deal, they just use refillable canisters and triggers. You send in the used ones for replacements. My dealer lives close by, so I just do an exchange kind of deal. The triggers take a pretty good tug so accidental discharges are rare, but can happen. A refilled canister/trigger exchange is only $35, so not bad considering.

 

[Trenchmaster]

$35 bucks? where are you getting that done, when I set mine off it cost me $100 for replacement.

 

[bailer]

rockymountainxtreme does the yellow canisters (these are the updated canisters) for $35 including the trigger.
http://www.rockymountainxtreme.com/ctunits.htm