Avalung Winter Packs -

[skijacski]

Paul, I put this question to you in this forum as it is BC related.

Do you or does anyone stock any Avalung Winter Packs - the smallest?

Has anyone got this, and or has anyone used the Avalung?

Trying to decide if it is necessary or not.

graemlins/snow.gif

[Caboose]

overseas i would say 100% necessary

from all the discussion on SI, not many use beacons in Oz, but i think it would be prudent

[Paul Oberin]

I don't have them and don't even know their price, but I think there is a point where you can just carry too much stuff when you go out hiking.
If you have a beacon and the others in your group are also well equipped, they should be able to find you in under 30 minutes, and if not and Avi lung may not make that much difference, if you are that deep under snow it would have to be a huge slide and injuries would be your bigger concern then.
That is just my personal opinion on them.

[Caboose]

i'd lower that time frame to 15mins

[skijacski]

This is gear for the USA, or other countries which I ski in with high avalanche risk, compared to Australia.

[Taxman]

I have a Black Diamond Avalung II, which I purchased and wore (extra insurance) when skiing in Kashmir. The shipped cost from the US was around $A130. Black Diamond also make a pack (Covert with Avalung) which incorporates the Avalung.

The Avalung is not very heavy or bulky, but does add to the kit you are carrying. I would be unlikely to wear it in Australia and it would be of little value if you were not wearing a beacon and the others in your party were also wearing beacons.

[ 17.06.2008, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[John Deere]

Avalungs in my opinion are one of those "nice to have but not necessary" items. Kind of like an airbag in a car, a supplementary device that may reduce the consequeces of an incident but far better to reduce the liklihood first, ie. get some avalanche knowledge and basic safety gear under the belt first (that would be driver training and a seatbelt in the airbag analogy).

I saw two people with Avalungs in Hakuba this year and this was when the avalanche danger was off the scale. The were two avalanche deaths while we were there, but they were from people entering closed runs inbounds and none had any gear or knowledge of avalanches. One guy was buried with no avalung and located via beacon and probe and pulled from the snow without major injury, he was prepared and with an experienced party.

I have not personally heard about any avalung saviour stories.

Is an avalung part of minimum equipment in the US backcountry? I would say no, but only you can decide.

[Officer Schmenz]

JD.. was that the av our guide started? (not the tsugaike one)

[Officer Schmenz]

ooo i mean the guide we had at tsugaike.. the scary one not james... (but meant not the tsugaike avvy)

[John Deere]

yep.

[Officer Schmenz]

hehehe

[TB]

This BC gear *****ing is becoming increasingly popular, In no way do I aim it at the poster's above because they are pretty experienced.

However, if you are interested in the backcountry I totally recommend that the FIRST thing you buy is "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" by Bruce Tremper. This is the Bible.

Curiously if you wish to increase/localise your knowledge I wish you luck cause this seems to be it. (book opportunity guys!!!!).

When you have finished it I believe you will be able to make informed Aus gear choices. Happy reading.

[Taxman]

Originally posted by TB:
... if you are interested in the backcountry I totally recommend that the FIRST thing you buy is "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" by Bruce Tremper. This is the Bible. Got it, a great book, however it can be a hard read. Try starting in the middle.