Item: How Effective Are Avalanche Airbags? Field Tests of Avalanche Safety Equipment
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Title: How Effective Are Avalanche Airbags? Field Tests of Avalanche Safety Equipment
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Lorenz Meier [ WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Av alanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Stephan Harvey [ WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Av alanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: Avalanche transceiver – shovel – probe. This still is the standard equipment recommended for touring in the backcountry. More and more, off-piste and backcountry recreationists carry additional avalanche safety gear such as avalanche airbags. In a series of field tests with four artificially triggered avalanches, we compared the effect of additional safety equipment. We measured burial depth and visibility of dummies equipped with two different brands of avalanche airbags (ABS and Snowpulse), the avalanche ball and of dummies with no additional equipment. The burial depth of dummies equipped with an airbag was significantly lower compared to dummies which carried an avalanche ball or no additional equipment. Moreover, based on a qualitative validation the airbag systems were rated better than dummies without airbag. Both brands of airbags and the avalanche ball were visible in all cases on the surface of the avalanche deposits – partly due to the avalanche size and the path topography. Acceleration measurements at the head of the dummies suggest that the risk of injury may be reduced with an appropriate form of the airbag.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: unknown
Keywords: avalanche airbags, avalanche safety equipment, avalanche deposits, avalanche burial
Page Number(s): 756-763
Subjects: avalanche safety avalanche burials
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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