Avy Bag/Vest Tests?

[bowerman61028]

I have seen some manufacturer tests for their specific products but I have not seen any independent tests by a neutral 3rd party for the avalanche bag systems available.
I liked both the Avy vest test and the recent BCA Float 30 test so why hasn’t Snowest the magazine done any kind of comparison test for the three popular options: ABS, Float 30, and Avy Vest?
Just like many publication do tests to see what the best beacon is it just makes sense to do a comprehensive test on these important potential lie saving devices.
I would like to see a test with response from testers on how the fit and finish compares, how they ride, and strap them to test dummies to see how they perform in an avalanche.

Does anyone else wish to see this? Has this already been done somewhere?

 

[christopher]

I will pass this along to the powers that be at the magazine and see if I can get you an answer.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

We stock and sell all 4 brands of Airbags. (ABS Airbag, SnowPulse, BCA Float, and Avi-Vest) and can definitely see the pro's and con's of each pack. We are working on getting our personal opinions/reviews documented on each of the packs. I don't see us putting them in an avalanche together though.

 

[wilbilly]

air bags

snowbigdeal why not put them in a avalanche together ? would that not be the best why to get real life data . iam not being a smart a$$ just asking why not

 

[SnowBigDeal]

snowbigdeal why not put them in a avalanche together ? would that not be the best why to get real life data . iam not being a smart a$$ just asking why not

For us it comes down more to the costs involved to do it professionally and the dangers involved. I would love to put them all in an avalanche together......we may could rig up some red-neck testing next season. We seem to be good at that kind of stuff.

 

[WARY]

When we do our testing we like to put the AviVest in the starting zone high up on the mountain, and that means helicopters. You can do a redneck test using snowmobiles to place your test dummies, but its not that realistic to have an avalanche slam into the test equipment. Another problem with this kind of testing is that the equipment doesn't get a very long ride in the avalanche. We like our equipment to travel down the entire avalanche, which we find more closely mimics an actual avalanche accident.

We are also continually working on design improvements with the AviVest, so testing other manufacturer's systems would not benefit our design work.

Bottom line, a realistic avalanche air bag test involves choppers and a fair sized crew, and it can't be done for less than tens of thousands of dollars in our experience.

 

[tudizzle]

Resorts are setting off avys for control all the time...seems like if you partnered up with one you could minimize the costs? Maybe donate a pack or two to the resort for the help in getting these tests done?


highdea for the day

 

[bowerman61028]

Resorts are setting off avys for control all the time...seems like if you partnered up with one you could minimize the costs?

I think this is a great idea!

Working at Mt.Bachelor I get contact with the NSP and I'm sure they would be at least interested in seeing the potential of these bags. They installed a BCA beacon park this year and have a real interest avy prevention, training and educaiton. Have to talk with them and see what could be done next year.