Roly,
Please keep us informed on how your situation turns out. Thanks.
Please keep us informed on how your situation turns out. Thanks.
BCA Float Bags
- Thread starter Roly
- Start date
J
Jammmin
Well-known member
4 of us bought ABS packs.
1 workes fine. So we didnt send this one in.
1 a friend was caught in an AVY and didnt work.(he survived) Thank god
1 I didnt go off at all.
1 The triger went off and partially punctured the canister, but the bags didnt blow up.
Spoke with the President of ABS in Lynden, WA and sent them the bags. (shipping at my expense - What the F***)
They said that the firing pin had fallen out of the unit on one.
On another the bag had a small tear.
They replaced the air bags with the new 170 air bags vs the original 150 air bags.
They also replaced all of the firing mechanisims and tested all of them, just to make sure. They also checked the hoses to make sure there is no issue.
The long story short - your life is on the line. And I think checking these more than once per year is a good idea.
Here is the contact info for the CEO of ABS - he may not want me to give out his info, but I dont care. If it saves a life its worth it and I am sure if the ABS pack fails to save a life ABS will be out of business.
He did give me great service and communication.
STEVE WAGNER
ABS AVALANCHE RESCUE DEVICES INC.
Unit 9, 5352 273A Street
Langley, B.C. V4W 0A9
TEL: 604 626-0229 > FAX: 604 626-4711
Skype steve.wagner22
WAGNER@ABS-AIRBAG.COM
WWW.ABS-AIRBAG.COM <http://www.abs-airbag.com/>
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As for the ABS problems, I didnt know about this until I read this post. Good info and will pass it along.
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I would be nice to have some sort of standard that these devices have to be held to.
1 workes fine. So we didnt send this one in.
1 a friend was caught in an AVY and didnt work.(he survived) Thank god
1 I didnt go off at all.
1 The triger went off and partially punctured the canister, but the bags didnt blow up.
Spoke with the President of ABS in Lynden, WA and sent them the bags. (shipping at my expense - What the F***)
They said that the firing pin had fallen out of the unit on one.
On another the bag had a small tear.
They replaced the air bags with the new 170 air bags vs the original 150 air bags.
They also replaced all of the firing mechanisims and tested all of them, just to make sure. They also checked the hoses to make sure there is no issue.
The long story short - your life is on the line. And I think checking these more than once per year is a good idea.
Here is the contact info for the CEO of ABS - he may not want me to give out his info, but I dont care. If it saves a life its worth it and I am sure if the ABS pack fails to save a life ABS will be out of business.
He did give me great service and communication.
STEVE WAGNER
ABS AVALANCHE RESCUE DEVICES INC.
Unit 9, 5352 273A Street
Langley, B.C. V4W 0A9
TEL: 604 626-0229 > FAX: 604 626-4711
Skype steve.wagner22
WAGNER@ABS-AIRBAG.COM
WWW.ABS-AIRBAG.COM <http://www.abs-airbag.com/>
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As for the ABS problems, I didnt know about this until I read this post. Good info and will pass it along.
-
I would be nice to have some sort of standard that these devices have to be held to.
In my previous, military, life I inspected, maintained and repaired the safety and survival gear that USAF pilots wear when they fly...helmets, oxygen masks, survival kits, parachutes, life rafts, etc., etc.
Those (MY) pilots depended on that equipment to save their lives if they ever had to eject. They depended on ME to ensure it worked. All of that gear was inspected and FUNCTION TESTED regularly to ensure that it worked. Those pilots also got annual refresher training on how to operate all that equipment in case they ever had to use it. That part was their responsibility.
My point? If you're going to plunk down several hundred, to a few thousand dollars on a device that's designed to save your life YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.
Folks these are mechanical devices and like anything else with moving parts they can fail. It's ultimately YOUR responsibility to ensure YOUR avy pack works as advertised.
The moment the mountainside lets go is not the time to see if your avy bag works.
I haven't bought an avy bag yet but when I do here's my checklist:
1) Buy a spare bottle and actuator
2) Ask lots of questions about the mechanism
3) Accuate the bag IN THE STORE and have it refilled on the spot
4) Have the technician show me how the mechanism is supposed to be reassembled and how to repack the bag correctly
5) Make sure I have the IBP and detailed operating & care instructions and review them with the technician
6) If items 4 & 5 cannot be done at that location? Find another dealer.
From that point forward I will function test my avy bag at the start of every season--outside, cold soaked, wearing all my riding gear. I will carry the spare bottle somewhere in case I accidently accuate the bag in the backcountry or (God forbid) actually use it and have to cross more avy terrain to get home.
This thread should be stickied--I think these bags are great but, clearly, as evidenced by the self-admissions in this thread so far, too many gear-heads buy things like avy bags and then forget about them.
Every year: Change your beacon batteries and fire your avy bag.
Those (MY) pilots depended on that equipment to save their lives if they ever had to eject. They depended on ME to ensure it worked. All of that gear was inspected and FUNCTION TESTED regularly to ensure that it worked. Those pilots also got annual refresher training on how to operate all that equipment in case they ever had to use it. That part was their responsibility.
My point? If you're going to plunk down several hundred, to a few thousand dollars on a device that's designed to save your life YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.
Folks these are mechanical devices and like anything else with moving parts they can fail. It's ultimately YOUR responsibility to ensure YOUR avy pack works as advertised.
The moment the mountainside lets go is not the time to see if your avy bag works.
I haven't bought an avy bag yet but when I do here's my checklist:
1) Buy a spare bottle and actuator
2) Ask lots of questions about the mechanism
3) Accuate the bag IN THE STORE and have it refilled on the spot
4) Have the technician show me how the mechanism is supposed to be reassembled and how to repack the bag correctly
5) Make sure I have the IBP and detailed operating & care instructions and review them with the technician
6) If items 4 & 5 cannot be done at that location? Find another dealer.
From that point forward I will function test my avy bag at the start of every season--outside, cold soaked, wearing all my riding gear. I will carry the spare bottle somewhere in case I accidently accuate the bag in the backcountry or (God forbid) actually use it and have to cross more avy terrain to get home.
This thread should be stickied--I think these bags are great but, clearly, as evidenced by the self-admissions in this thread so far, too many gear-heads buy things like avy bags and then forget about them.
Every year: Change your beacon batteries and fire your avy bag.
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Great data/lessons guys.....thanks.
I bought an ABS years ago and bought a spare canister. He wanted it tested when I got it and it worked great. Back then it was hard to get replacements so I didn't fire it again till just before I sold it.
I bought an Avi-Vest their first year out and have tested twice now with perfect results. I didn't think the pull was very hard at all.
I'll be testing a couple of times per year now with this data....Thanks again!
I bought an ABS years ago and bought a spare canister. He wanted it tested when I got it and it worked great. Back then it was hard to get replacements so I didn't fire it again till just before I sold it.
I bought an Avi-Vest their first year out and have tested twice now with perfect results. I didn't think the pull was very hard at all.
I'll be testing a couple of times per year now with this data....Thanks again!
Y
yamahaboy701
Well-known member
Just wanted to say that my 2012 Float 18 that I received 11/18/2011 is EXTREMELY EASY to pull. One finger pull easy! I had a hard time repacking it and had to pack it a few time before it stayed in when riding. Really like the new zipper on the float 18 to repack vs the Velcro on the float 18.
I deploy mine 2-3 times a year and havent had problems. I thought I posted on a pull scale how many lbs it took to deploy. Either way, if you arent trying your bag before the season and during the season then that is your own dam wrong doing. It cost me 5 dollars to have the canister refilled. Why wouldnt you try it just because....
As far as being on the market as a CHEAP bag, no matter any safety device, they all should have to pass the same standard... You cant put a price on your own life, but I am also not willing to spend 2grand on a bag that MAY save me. Bags/beacons are there to help us in an avalanche, if you think because you have a bag ($600 or $2000), that you are invisible to avalanches then your an idiot. Rant over, just sick of hearing people put down BCA for making safety affordable
100% agree. I understand you can't put a price on your life but when will you have to be a millionaire to ride sleds and do it safely all at one time. Between gear, sled, and survival/saftey equipment it is crazy how much one can spend. I went with a float 30 because it is affordable and will increase my chance of survival if I need to use it.
BCA follow up
Spoke to the BCA importer and he stated that they had inferior machining on the triger mechanism with the earlier models and were suggesting that we put in the new easy pull kit, which they would supply for free of charge. We are waiting for the kit to arrive and will let you know how it works. In the mean time I have kudos to my dealer (Clews) and the Canadian importer for grabbing hold of this problem and dealing with it. On a side note, I am still leaning to replacing this bag with another (ABS), time will tell. I have learned a ton as a result of this incident and will be firing off all of our bags regardless of brand frequently.
Spoke to the BCA importer and he stated that they had inferior machining on the triger mechanism with the earlier models and were suggesting that we put in the new easy pull kit, which they would supply for free of charge. We are waiting for the kit to arrive and will let you know how it works. In the mean time I have kudos to my dealer (Clews) and the Canadian importer for grabbing hold of this problem and dealing with it. On a side note, I am still leaning to replacing this bag with another (ABS), time will tell. I have learned a ton as a result of this incident and will be firing off all of our bags regardless of brand frequently.
C
Chern_889
Active member
Glad to hear they are taking care of it for you Roly! I was one of the 2 BCA bags that didnt fire that day. The problem is the the pins get jammed on each other and bite hard, it took a pair of vice grips on the pin to get it to pull off. After installing the easy pull kit we fired it off 3 times without problems.
Its scary to think that there are people out there that have a false sense of security from these bags, and have never test fired them! How many out there arent going to inflate when they need too.
When it comes time to replace the BCA bags, we(my father and I) will be going with ABS.
Thanks again Roly for the great get together and your hospitality! I feel more confident now with my beacon then i ever have.
Jason
Its scary to think that there are people out there that have a false sense of security from these bags, and have never test fired them! How many out there arent going to inflate when they need too.
When it comes time to replace the BCA bags, we(my father and I) will be going with ABS.
Thanks again Roly for the great get together and your hospitality! I feel more confident now with my beacon then i ever have.
Jason
M
madsigntist
Well-known member
I purchased last years Float 30 from a fellow SW'er.
The size/capacity is about what I am used to with my old Dakine Heli Pro pack. If you need the space, you have it. If not, the compression straps suck up the slack. I also like how the shovel and probe stow too.
I have ridden with it now, and find it plenty comfortable.
Sure it weighs more, but no worries.
I did a test fire while geared and on the sled and it was very easy to pull. Very satisfied with the trigger mechanism.
Found a local scuba shop to refill for 5 bucks too.
I would recommend this avy pack to those unsure about the issues raised above.
The size/capacity is about what I am used to with my old Dakine Heli Pro pack. If you need the space, you have it. If not, the compression straps suck up the slack. I also like how the shovel and probe stow too.
I have ridden with it now, and find it plenty comfortable.
Sure it weighs more, but no worries.
I did a test fire while geared and on the sled and it was very easy to pull. Very satisfied with the trigger mechanism.
Found a local scuba shop to refill for 5 bucks too.
I would recommend this avy pack to those unsure about the issues raised above.
J
Jammmin
Well-known member
----
UPDATE 12/12
Received the packs on 12/7 with a checklist and replaced parts from ABS
Also they sent me the replacement cartridge and handle.
I feel better about using the pack now that its checked out.
They did send the old parts that were worn / broken.
I bought one of the BCA float 30 packs after thanksgiving at a good price. It was last year's model, so it has the T-handle in stead of the new mushroom head. After reading this thread, I decided to try it out. I had to pull much much harder than I would have expected, but it did finally deploy (and scare the hell out of the dog). I called BCA and ordered the easy pull trigger. I installed it and tested it again. Wow! It now activates at at the perfect (in my opinion) tension! I don't think it's too light to have an accidental activation, but we'll see how the winter goes. I am much more comfortable with my BCA 30 now. Thank you snowest members for posting this information!
While at the scuba shop, a couple of teenagers showed up to re-fill their float canisters. They said their bags were "pretty hard" to trigger and had no idea there was an easy pull trigger available. Shouldn't BCA put out some information to their customers and/or authorized refill stations to inform users of this upgrade?
While at the scuba shop, a couple of teenagers showed up to re-fill their float canisters. They said their bags were "pretty hard" to trigger and had no idea there was an easy pull trigger available. Shouldn't BCA put out some information to their customers and/or authorized refill stations to inform users of this upgrade?
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I have both Snowpulse and BCA bags. Based on what I am reading here I will be testing all of them soon. I see a few people that are going to switch to ABS when it seems that ABS has the most serious problems based on Jammmins experience with 4 ABS bags. I bought a BCA 18 because I wanted a smaller and lighter pack for skiing. It is high quality manufacture and very easy to put the bottles in and get ready to use. Very simple mechanism. I also got an extra bottle with it but I will be getting extra bottles for my Snowpulse bags too as we will be taking several trips this year and want to have spares in case we blow one.
I have a BCA float 30 fired it when i bought it and was showed how to repack it. I built my own charging station. Talk to your local fire departments to see if they refill canisters. Refilling them is easy but the is o-ring that needs to be replaed when there refilled. Like anything you buy maintence is something that is always overlooked. The more you use the more trust it.
Being that I started this I feel that I should update what took place with our bags. BCA stepped up and sent out the new trigger system quickly,with instructions> Thank You BCA. What I do question is WHY ISN'T A RECALL BY BCA BEING DONE! They openly admitted to the fact that the first generation triggers were giving trouble. I subsequently purchased another ABS bag. I have had my confidence shaken and for my own peace of mind went to my own Happy place While this may sound like and endorsement, it's not.BUY WHAT EVER BAG YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH!!! Prior postings hit it right, familiarity is key and constant checking needs to be done. Lets not forget that this is a last resort tool should all others have failed.
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