Did any of them have ABS bags.

[skibreeze]

In most situations, I don't think that I'd ever pull the handle if I was still on my sled. The only time I could see that is if I was about to get blasted by a wall of snow, and if that happens then I have really screwed up.

 

[Spur]

I've been pretty vocal about the fact that I won't let avalanche danger keep me from riding. I have been called almost every name in the book for doing so. I have no illusions that my bag will always save my life. From the experience I have ( I have been in an avalanche ) and the times I have watched my buddies who have been in them, your chances of survival diminish greatly if the slide runs into any kind of debris, trees or rocks. As I evaluate every climb the first thing I look for is debris. I won't climb a hill or a chute if there is any chance of hitting trees. I may be willing to take my chances with the snow + ABS, but I won't take the chance of snow + ABS + trees or rocks.

OK, I'm ready for my negative reps and the spineless no name private message name calling.

P.S. To the last spineless guy to message me it's idiot not idoit. I found that somewhat ironic.

 

[kinge]

Think of deploying these things in terms of gun training. When you fear for you life you WILL do what you have practiced.

Like the cops who were firing 3 shots and reholstering, then drawing and firing another group. Or how now you will find 5 cops around one guy and they have all emptied their magazines.

As others have said...letting go of your sled to pull a cord will not happen unless you have practiced to the point of ridiculous.

Jeb

 

[DARKO]

Wowza, i'm shocked how many people are second guessing these ABS bag's.

If it's deployed, your chances of not being burried greatly increase. Whats to argue there ?

Also, no where does ABS ever claim it helps in tree's, trauma etc. Its a floatation device, designed to halp keep you on the surface. Do some research, they work as there designed. Opperator error is a different story all together.............

 

[tundra twin track]

Wowza, i'm shocked how many people are second guessing these ABS bag's.

If it's deployed, your chances of not being burried greatly increase. Whats to argue there ?

Also, no where does ABS ever claim it helps in tree's, trauma etc. Its a floatation device, designed to halp keep you on the surface. Do some research, they work as there designed. Opperator error is a different story all together.............

Great choice of words! Thanks

 

[MTdream]

I've been pretty vocal about the fact that I won't let avalanche danger keep me from riding. I have been called almost every name in the book for doing so. I have no illusions that my bag will always save my life. From the experience I have ( I have been in an avalanche ) and the times I have watched my buddies who have been in them, your chances of survival diminish greatly if the slide runs into any kind of debris, trees or rocks. As I evaluate every climb the first thing I look for is debris. I won't climb a hill or a chute if there is any chance of hitting trees. I may be willing to take my chances with the snow + ABS, but I won't take the chance of snow + ABS + trees or rocks.

OK, I'm ready for my negative reps and the spineless no name private message name calling.

P.S. To the last spineless guy to message me it's idiot not idoit. I found that somewhat ironic.

No negative rep from me, but your right that is ironic or is that irionic

you bring up a very valid point, it is NOT just about the slope...it is about the path behind you, and beside you!!!

In the most recent gravelly incident where Kirk passed, we also learn it is about your approach...in his case, the approach was the trigger, and the wall hit him...had he been able to step off his sled to the left, he might have not been killed...

lots and lots of variables, and glad to ahve the discussions happening!!!!

 

[MTdream]

Wowza, i'm shocked how many people are second guessing these ABS bag's.

If it's deployed, your chances of not being burried greatly increase. Whats to argue there ?

Also, no where does ABS ever claim it helps in tree's, trauma etc. Its a floatation device, designed to halp keep you on the surface. Do some research, they work as there designed. Opperator error is a different story all together.............

Yeah, I am not a big climber, and I bought one...I am concerened about increasing my chances!!!

 

[Red-eye]

were the guys at the bottom of the runout when deployed? My understanding is that you have to be coming down with the slide for the bag to get you to the surface of the slide. If you at the bottom and it hits you it will bury you. Heard the gal from Zacs Tracs at the Calgary show mention this.

The boys were in waist deep snow and in the path. It wasn't steep where they were. One was deployed early and seemed to help him float. That slide did not kill him. The next one did. Another good point is that the Fernie avy was a multiple avy, no time to refill. The other guy ended upon the bottom, but nobody nows when it was deployed.

 

[Bad Daddy]

I've only been riding for 4 years. And I hear a lot of people say that they "have been riding for X years and haven't been in an avalanche yet" or that they're safe riders when climbing the hills.
In the marine industry, people would always try and get out of having insurance on the boats that I used to rent to them... "I'm a safe boater, I've never had an accident before"... My saying to them was "You're due for one!" No problem with getting them to sign for insurance....
Same for the ABS Pack... I havent had an incident, and don't intend to have one... but I'm due for one.... So, I shelled out for the pack... I'm not going to go nutz up on the hills because I have it either; I'm just increasing the odds in my favour.
I figured that the amount of money not spent on the days that I have missed due to the lousy conditions (lack of snow, or avy conditions), have equalled the cost of an ABS pack... Wouldnt have gone out if I had an ABS Pack in Extreme Avalanche conditions either.
Some days it's just better to ride trails, or wait it out...

 

[SLEDIOT]

Sadly enough, of the 2 guys we lost in our area this last 2 weeks 1 was wearing an avy pack. Unfortunately he was hit hard from behind bty the avy and didnt get his pack deployed. On a good note 6 were buried in that same avy and 1 other guy got his deployed. He bobbed to the surface, ripped his pack off when it was over and successfully dug out and saved 2 other fellow riders. In my opinion and eyes that particular avy pack saved 3 lives!!!!! God bless that fellow for blowing his loot on an avy pack and god bless to everyone out there who is whereing beacons, avy packs and is practiced in avalanche awarenesss and protection. RIP to those we have recently lost. Man I love my Family..............

 

[kinge]

Darko, I wasn't trying to be negative about bags. I am saying that the nature of the way they are used is very similar to the nature of gun use. Scenarios should be thought through, understood and practiced for, or the user may fail to use the bag effectively.

Jeb