Item: THE GERMAN ALPINE CLUB (DAV) SKI TOURING STUDY: DO AVALANCHE AIRBAGS LEAD TO RISKIER CHOICES?
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Title: THE GERMAN ALPINE CLUB (DAV) SKI TOURING STUDY: DO AVALANCHE AIRBAGS LEAD TO RISKIER CHOICES?
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Bernhard Streicher [ Safety Research Commission of the German Alpine Club ] [ Johannes-Kepler-University ]
- Lukas Fritz [ German Alpine Club (DAV) ]
- Martin Schwiersch [ Safety Research Commission of the German Alpine Club ]
- Florian Hellberg [ Edelrid GmbH ]
- Christoph Hummel [ Safety Research Commission of the German Alpine Club ] [ Bavarian Avalanche Warning Service ]
- Thomas Feistl [ Bavarian Avalanche Warning Service ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: Avalanche airbags have emerged as a significant advancement in avalanche safety, increasing survival rates by reducing burial depth during an avalanche. While they offer a potential reduction in mortality by up to 50%, as shown by Haegeli et al. (2014), their effectiveness depends on timely deployment and proper functionality. However, their use may also lead to riskier behavior, as individuals may feel safer and therefore take more risks, potentially offsetting the safety benefits of the airbag. This study, conducted by the DAV Safety Research Department during the winters of 2019/20 and 2021/22, investigated the knowledge, usage, and impact of avalanche airbags among 157 ski touring and freeride groups in the Austrian Alps. The study sought to understand whether airbag usage influences risk behavior, how well groups understand airbag functionality, and the socio-demographic predictors of airbag use. Key findings include a significant difference in airbag usage between ski touring and freeride locations, with freeriders using airbags more frequently. However, both groups overestimated the probability of mortality with and without airbags. Interestingly, no correlation was found between airbag use and riskier tour decisions, nor did airbag knowledge predict tour risk potential or the number of danger spots. The study also found that gender and other equipment carried, such as helmets, predicted airbag use, while experience and self-assessed competence did not. The results suggest that while airbags can increase survival chances in avalanches, they do not appear to significantly influence risk-taking behavior. The decision to use an airbag seems to be influenced by a range of factors beyond the perceived safety benefit. This research underscores the importance of comprehensive avalanche prevention strategies, emphasizing that the best approach to avalanche safety is to avoid being caught in an avalanche altogether, with airbags serving as a secondary safety measure.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P13.6.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Airbag use, Airbag knowledge, impact of airbag use, decision making, risk taking, backcountry skiing
Page Number(s): 1753 - 1759
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