Safety first

The most dynamic sector is airbag backpacks, which are increasingly considered important accessories not only for freeriders, but also ski mountaineers. This is thanks in part to the introduction of lighter models, like the Patrol UL E2 25 by Scott or the Avabag Litric Zero 27 by Ortovox, under two kilos (4.4 lbs.), or even the Airbag Tour 28 UL by Arva, weighing in at 1.6 kilos (3.5 lbs.). The real battle, however, is between systems; traditional airbags using a gas canister are better established than electric models. That said, most brands now offer an electric model, including ABS, the inventor of the airbag pack. Only Arva and Mammut haven’t gone electric yet. There’s also some serious competition in terms of pricing, with retailer Decathlon launching its own model with Alpride canister system (not tested). Further proof of how airbags are gaining in popularity. 

There are two: Alpride, which doesn’t use lithium ion batteries, rather two AAs (which mean you can charge it without relying on mains electricity, and you don’t have to worry about it losing charge over time) and Litric by Ortovox and Arc’teryx, which uses a 7.4 Wh lithium ion battery. The Alpride system is used by lots of brands. So which one should you go for? There are a few factors to consider, but electric packs are having a moment right now. On the plus side they can inflate multiple times (for training purposes, in case of a second avalanche, as a precautionary measure at dangerous sections) and can easily be taken on a plane. Regulations vary between Europe and the USA, but generally speaking the only limitations on electric models regard lithium ion batteries of up to 100 Wh, which in the US must be boarded in the cabin, and cannot be carried in the hold (international IATA regulations on the other hand do not impose restrictions). As for the canister system, in the US only empty canisters without an explosive charge can be transported by air, while IATA again imposes no restrictions, though it’s at the discretion of the airline whether to accept them, unlike with lithium ion batteries.

You also need to consider how to refill or change the canister, which is relatively easy where compressed air is concerned (there are a number of retailers; scuba diving shops can also offer this service), and a little more complicated with other types of gas. Alpride canisters are single use, while Ortovox Avabag cartridges can be refilled at a store or by the manufacturer. Arva doesn’t make electric airbags, and has always focused on the explosive force of the initial deployment over the total inflation time, as maximum pressure is needed immediately to counteract the force of the avalanche. According to the French brand’s research, their Reactor system releases 500 mbar of pressure in the first 0.33 seconds, and in any case over 300 mbar in the first 0.66 seconds, while their competitors start with under 300 mbar. In packs using the canister system, after the initial release the pressure decreases, while one of the two electric packs used for comparison has a similar, but more constant pattern of 200 mbar and the other is constant and lower than 100 mbar. Airbags sold in Europe must comply with regulation EN 16716 which covers different aspects, from the inflation time, to the time it must remain inflated, and the force range necessary to trigger the mechanism by pulling the handle. 

The auto-revert search-to-send function is useful not only to reset it to send if inadvertently set to search, but above all if you are caught in a second avalanche during search. Another important consideration is the interference from smartphones, GPS, watches, GoPros, LCD displays on cameras, and walkie-talkies. Transceivers should be kept at least 20 – 30 cms (8 – 12 in.) away from these devices, and during search at least 50 cms (1.5 feet). If you wear a watch, keep your transceiver on the opposite side of your body. Lastly, but no less importantly, remember that having the latest, most expensive model means nothing is the batteries are flat. As any expert in this area will tell you, for peace of mind your device should be at least 50% charged. It goes without saying that rechargeable batteries should not be used.

When within 30 cm of the probe it emits a constant beep and the light stays on, even if it misses the person buried, or you can’t tell if the soft mass is a person or part of the terrain, or that hard object is a ski boot or a rock. If the probe is within 30 cm of a Pieps transceiver, it can suppress it so that it doesn’t need to be marked, as the marking system can slow down the software of any transceiver. 

And there’s more. The blade should be a good size, with sidewalls and sharp, serrated front edge, able to carry large quantities of loose snow and cut and move good-sized blocks of compact snow. It should also have ridges to strengthen the structure and metal fastener inserted into the hole in the handle so that when cutting out blocks the handle isn’t overloaded, breaking the pin that holds it onto the blade. The telescopic handle should be long enough to dig effectively, with an oval, triangular or rectangular shaft to make it stiffer lengthways. Lastly, look for one with an ergonomic handle.