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Abs

1K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  jwelsh83 
#1 ·
Any of you guys have an ABS system or equivalent? I know I started a thread awhile back with questions regarding the system since I was interested. After a lot of research and saved cash flow I pulled the trigger on an ABS system. I plan on making more trips out west in the quest for fresh pow in years ahead. After having my first child here about 2 months ago, I figure it was time to plan accordingly and give my wife some piece of mind. I'm not sure why it wasn't something I didn't partake into sooner, but here I am. My buddy thinks I'm crazy and paranoid but I'll take safety over pride any day. I've got a planned trip out to Jackson here soon and I planned on going beyond the gate to do some side country pow. Then I heard about a snowboarder getting killed off the resort on pucker face and I think that solidified my choice quite well. I went with the ABS system because I liked the 2 bag set up. If one fails, the other bag has enough buoyancy to still keep you afloat. And it seems that most resorts with avalanche potential have an ABS dealer on site to switch a tank and charging handle considering I will mostly likely do a test discharge here at home and you can't take a charged cylinder on a flight. Have any of you discharged in an avalanche? A good spark for conversation. Experience from users would be appreciated. By experience, I mean with the system lol
 
#3 ·
A friend of mine powder skis only, also does heli-skiing trips to Chile and Revelstoke. Has done Alaska as well, Chile is an annual event for them. ABS for him all the way. They've run into a few situations where they pulled, nothing major but like he says you never know and that extra bit could make the difference. Your friend is being very uneducated.
 
#4 ·
Honestly, you sound like you need education a lot more than advice on an air bag system. Have you ever taken an avalanche course? Do you know how to use a beacon? Do you or your friends ride with any recovery gear?

There is absolutely no guarantee that an airbag system will save your life. If you get caught in an avalanche, then you've already f-d up. Even if an air bag keeps you afloat (and there is no guarantee that it will do that), there are plenty of other ways for an avalanche to critically or fatally injure you.
 
#5 ·
Never been through an avalanche course, but I wouldn't consider myself clueless. It's not my first time in the back country, just my first time with having an ABS. I have a beacon, know how to use is whether I'm using it as a beacon or as a receiver for search and rescue. I also have a shovel, probe, and small med kit I carry in my current bag. I know all about inherent risk in my profession as a fireman. To have the appropriate gear and know how to use it and why not carry that over into snowboarding. But yes, don't be reckless thinking you have an ABS, you can conquer the world! Be smart and don't put yourself in that position. Know your terrain, know your conditions...I'm just new to the ABS system itself.
 
#6 ·
My friend has a two bag set up and pulled it a few weeks ago in a slough slide for the first time. I was watching the video of it and while the slide was minimal it did make a difference as you watch how he just ended up sitting on the top of the slide since it pulled him up. I think you're making the right choice in getting one, but a level 1 Avy course wouldn't hurt you nor would reading some of Bruce Trempers books.
 
#7 ·
Thanks, I agree. I did take a small online class. If you could call it a class. More like a powerpoint through Canadian Avalanche. It was more geared towards knowing the signs and conditions, weather changes leading towards those conditions, and types of avalanches, etc. I would definitely benefit more from a "saving your own" course.
 
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