NEW avalanche backpack

[Rixster]

http://www.snowpulse.ch/v5/product/the-life-bag/en/

Check it out, I really like this pack. After talking to people about it it sounds like a great product. After being used you can get your tank recharged at any dive (scuba) shop. So no down time sending it back or buying a new cartridge. The part I dont like about any of the packs is the price. I think it is rediculous for a potential life saving device to be so expensive.

 

[mxzfargorunner]

Price?

I don't see the price?

 

[Supplicate]

Do a forum search for Snowpulse. There are 13 threads on it, several of which discuss the cost of these packs.

edit:

one of which has a video in it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KENr_9gK5f0

The handle would have to be modified.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

If you're going to be spending that kind of money on an airbag, you may want to give it a little time to "prove itself". The ABS pack has been around for more than 20 years in Europe, whereas the snowpulse has been around in Europe since December-January 2007 and never in the US until this year.
http://www.avalanche-airbag.com/historie.php?chid=1248&m=17&lang=uk&sid=22bf706e70e398ae3ad74c83daac9d13

 

[danby]

i dont understand why ppl complain about the price on something that could save there life. i dont know i may be crazy but the price dosent bother me when it comes to my life. i would rather spend the money and live to see another day IMO.

 

[Ex-Member]

Yeah, the big concern about the ABS is the fact it uses nitrogen.... While it's not toxic, it'll suffocate you.... rather have air around my neck than nitrogen.

Other concern is how a camelbak would interface with it.

 

[Shawnmcgr]

The Tech data on the pack says the cylinder contains breathable dry air. I wouldn't buy a nitrogen fill bag either!

 

[NoSecondChances]

If you're going to be spending that kind of money on an airbag, you may want to give it a little time to "prove itself".

Or we could just stop riding in avalanche paths when the conditions are extreme and avoid the hassle of having to purchase an expensive airbag pack in the first place. This isn't guaranteed to save your life either.....

 

[SnowBigDeal]

Or we could just stop riding in avalanche paths when the conditions are extreme and avoid the hassle of having to purchase an expensive airbag pack in the first place. This isn't guaranteed to save your life either.....

I agree with you 100%. The best way to survive an avalanche is to not get in one in the first place! But that still doesn't mean one shouldn't be prepared for the worst.

 

[skibreeze]

How the hell are you going to be suffocated by nitrogen that's in a sealed bag? The air we breathe is 78% nitrogen anyway. The ABS has a long proven track record and that's the pack I ride with.

 

[Bacon]

I have talked to a few people that have been in avalanches and they all say the same thing. There is no way they could have reached up to pull a cord to deploy an avalanche air bag. Most of them said they didn't even know they were in an avalanche until they were rolling under the snow. I would like to know if anyone on a sled has ever used one of these in an avy. I can see where a skier would benefit more because the could feel and hear the avalanche way more than a snowmobiler. Just asking a few questions.

 

[milehighassassin]

If you're going to be spending that kind of money on an airbag, you may want to give it a little time to "prove itself". The ABS pack has been around for more than 20 years in Europe, whereas the snowpulse has been around in Europe since December-January 2007 and never in the US until this year.
http://www.avalanche-airbag.com/historie.php?chid=1248&m=17&lang=uk&sid=22bf706e70e398ae3ad74c83daac9d13

I don't think that is exactly fair. They have to start somewhere. It looks like a well put together product. While this company might be bad for you since you do not distribute them it is good for the industry. The more and more companies that produce these things, the cheaper they will get. Competition is good for the consumer.

I've always recomended peopel to your site and that will continue, but I see no reason why one should be afraid to try this new product.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

I don't think that is exactly fair. They have to start somewhere. It looks like a well put together product. While this company might be bad for you since you do not distribute them it is good for the industry. The more and more companies that produce these things, the cheaper they will get. Competition is good for the consumer.

I've always recomended peopel to your site and that will continue, but I see no reason why one should be afraid to try this new product.

I appreciate the referrals! We've looked into distributing the SnowPulse as have several others. I think it is great that another product is coming online and will only do good for the industry, but one of the reasons we haven't started distributing is strictly because of the "newness" of the product. We may miss the boat, but we only like to sell the products that have proven themselves. I believe in standing behind the product we sell and I don't want to be standing behind a product that hasn't been proven. This being the first year of the product in North America, there are likely to be kinks.........just like ABS has had.

Anyway, here's to a safe year for everyone! No matter what airbag you may purchase! I hope an airbag is something everyone purchases and never actually uses!

 

[Bubba700]

I have talked to a few people that have been in avalanches and they all say the same thing. There is no way they could have reached up to pull a cord to deploy an avalanche air bag. Most of them said they didn't even know they were in an avalanche until they were rolling under the snow. I would like to know if anyone on a sled has ever used one of these in an avy. I can see where a skier would benefit more because the could feel and hear the avalanche way more than a snowmobiler. Just asking a few questions.

Play Vball once a week with a buddy that used his twice 2 seasons ago, put him on top both times. If you don't think they work for sledders I can get ya name and dates they occured.
Im going to pick up an ABS personally, feel better with a proven product. Cost? your life isn't worth 8 or 9 hundy? Heck you pay more for the airbags in your car by far.

 

[BottomFeeder m7.]

I dont know why you People Debate. oh noo its 1000. so freaking what. Im not the richest man in the world and sometimes i want some more money but that didnt stop me from getting a abs15. Hell I have over 4000 in tvs. and 10000. into a sled. What are you all thinking. Snowpulse or Abs. whats it matters its your life. Spend the Money Or Risk the chance of not comming home when you get Burried in one . All by Ur Self.

 

[frock]

I have talked to a few people that have been in avalanches and they all say the same thing. There is no way they could have reached up to pull a cord to deploy an avalanche air bag. Most of them said they didn't even know they were in an avalanche until they were rolling under the snow. I would like to know if anyone on a sled has ever used one of these in an avy. I can see where a skier would benefit more because the could feel and hear the avalanche way more than a snowmobiler. Just asking a few questions.

Every situation is different, but I've been in a couple of avy's and I had the time and the opportunity to have pulled the ripcord, but I wasn't wearing one at that time. A friend of mine used his last winter. He was coming down in the avalanche appearing and disappearing constantly till he pulled the ripcord after which we never lost sight of the bright orange pack and he ended up on top. I guess to answer your question I think they work and if your riding in avy country you should try to increase your chances of surviving one.

 

[milehighassassin]

You might not think you can pull it thinking/looking back on it. I think if you know that pulling that cord could be your only chance to live.... I bet you try harder.

 

[MTdream]

If I am hitting chutes, I am wearing a pack...have pulled too many bodies off the mountain in my life (ski patrol, sledding, etc.) and not interested in giving someone else the pleasure of informing my wife and kids...

personally, dont like pulling chutes, prefer to play other places, and prefer to see my kids grow up to play in the hills with me!!!....one smile from my son is worth more than this ABS bag, but I will definitely wear one, as you never know what happens when playing in the backcountry which is an addiction to me!!!

 

[Snowjunky]

Just picked up 4 trackers and a ABS pack from Cade over at snobigdeal. Great service and a ton of info.As for the pack, I got one with the zipper and have my inlaw building a sled specific pack to zip on. ABS seems more skier friendly. I need more pockets and a better shovel pouch etc.... The ABS allows this pretty easy. I did alot of research before buying and I also believe around the neck air is a good thing. I have let my ABS sit over night and it still had pressure in it. Not alot but it took some time to loose the nitrogen. I dont believe it could cause suffocation. If I am falling down a chute or being drug wickedly down the same chute I want something that at least has a track record ya know. Every one has to start somewhere I agree but not at the top. And definately not on my back at that price. We all know you cant put a price on your life but if you want R&D you got to put some out there. Maybe they should give 7 or 8 of us a free pack for the year and see if we are all alive at the end of the year. Statistics is all they need right?