has anyone used "lifeline" shovels

[Bocephus]

i was searching for small shovel to carry along sledding so i can keep 1 in my pack and 1 on my tunnel. i came across a fairly inexpensive collapsible shovel that looks very similar to the basic "name brand" avalache rescue gear. has anyone every used one of these "lifeline" branded shovels? are they strong enough to dig someone out of a slide? i know this is is a serious topic, and nothing a guy should try and save money on.......but if it is the same shovel without some big brand name stamped on it, i'll gladly save 50-70 dollars and put it towards something else. thanks

link - http://www.amazon.com/AAA-4004-Alum...id=1446319753&sr=1-1&keywords=lifeline+shovel

 

[cerhai]

costco sold them in a pack of two for $20, I use one and it works great I did strip out the t-handle rivet digging through some hard snow, since then I drilled a hole on the underside of the handle and put a bigger rivet on top and bottom of the t handle, 3 years of digging with the mod with no problems

 

[snowrodeo]

i carried one in my pack for several years, never had to use it in emergency situation, but worked fine for digging out sleds. i now keep one in my truck and another in the wife's car for winter roadside troubles.

i think they'd do just fine for avy work.

 

[ripnit]

IMO they are NOT what you want in a Avy. Situation. They are ok for digging a sled out.....Personally I want a high quality shovel with the handle connection welded to the spade....less chance of bending and braking off. Avy snow can be/is ROCK HARD

 

[nfinit100]

if you already have one in your pack that is solid, don't see why this wouldn't work for on sled. You can always do the practice avy conditions by heading to the nearest parking lot where they have plowed snow into large piles. If you can dig through that stuff that is frozen solid, it'll be similar to avy debris.

 

[snowww1]

A few students have showed up with them in class. Not what I would recommend. The shaft does not go into the blade, which leads to bending. Spend the money on a real shovel where the shaft goes into a tube that is welded to the blade.

There's a reason they are only $10 each. Junk!

Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com

 

[blastco2]

If 1 of your riding buds has a good shovel, bca ect, swap with him for the day even the whole season. He will swap. He doesnt want you trying to dig him up with a cheap pos.

 

[Bocephus]

........which is why i made this topic asking the question. i was curious. it looks just like half the shovels on the market.

 

[blastco2]

Wasnt trying to pick on you... just making a point.

On a different forum, found a thread that made sense. Goes something like this. Fellow says that in his group, no one buys their own avi gear. Each one buys gear for another in the group. As it turns out..... no one buys second rate gear. I'm buying gear for you that, you may be using to rescue me or worse, my kid, wife, best friend........ emergency gear is no plce to go cheap. Like someone else said.... used only for stucks, pickup, car, tunnel bag, get the cheap one. In your rescue kit make it the best you can find. My tunnel shovel is a retired avi shovel...

 

[mikev]

My friend did. He absolutely loved the shovels!

 

[AdamTBO]

I have three of these shovels I bought on sale for $12 apiece. They are great for car emergency kits. I personally would never ride with one. I carry a BCA Dozer. I will probably pick up an Ortovox Kodiak this year too.