Skip Navigation Links

Avalanche safety equipment


Avalanche backpacks ( Lavine rygsæk Lawinen Rucksäcke )

If you are caught in an avalanche, you can trigger an "Airbag" which is integrated into backpack; it will increase your buoyancy in the avalanche. In this way you can avoid being dragged down by avalanches and ending up in the surface. This will increase your chance of survival.Two manufacturers currently: ABS (according SLF database 120 cases documented in Europe, of which 114 people (95%) survived), Snowpulse (available since spring 2008, yet no).
Reference
http://www.snowpulse.ch/

Avalanche transceiver Beacons ( Lawinenverschüttetensuchgerät (LVS) Lavine Bibber )

An avalanche transceiver is a small device, about the size of a paperback and weighing around 200 grams. It enables a group of off-piste enthusiasts to mount their own search and rescue operation in the event of an avalanche.
Reference
http://pistehors.com/

Avalanche probe ( Lawinensonde Lavinesonde )

Avalanche probe an invaluable tool in search of avalanche victims. You use the probe to stick done in the snow to find the person who is buried under the avalanche.

Avalanche shovel ( Lawinenschaufel Lavineskovl )

An avalanche shovel is designed dig out people who are buried in an avalanche

Avalanche emergency equipment recommendation ( Standard-Lawine Notfallausrüstung Empfehlungen Lavine nødudstyrets anbefaling )

Standard Avalanche emergency equipment recommendations
of the Alpine Club
A) Standard emergency equipment (always and every time):

LVS, not older than 10 years, preferably 3-antenna devices, shovel, preferably made of hardened aluminium; probe, at least 240 cm long.
Additional: First-aid equipment, bivouac sack, mobile phone (number of units depending on group size).

B) Recommended additional emergency equipment (in order of their importance and their effectiveness):

1. Airbag Systems
Balloon systems, which itself will need to generate an additional volume of 150 l or 170 and thereby promote flowing effect in avalanches.
Rescue Principle: The dept of burial is reduce or prevented, "who stays up, survived - mostly." Two manufacturers currently: ABS (according SLF database 120 cases documented in Europe, of which 114 people (95%) survived), SnowPulse (available since spring 2008, yet no documented injuries).

2. Avalung
allows you to breathe through a filter and separates the breath intake and outtake to breathe under the snow.
Rescue Principle: Survival in the avalanche is extended. Five documented successful rescues.

3. Avalanche Ball
Further development of the former "avalanche cord. A folded ball fitted with a clamping spring with a cord attach to the body. When triggered the ball jumps from the bag and will remain visible at the surface.
Rescue principle: location system - like LVS - however, optical, not electronic. Two success stories since 1997 (according to manufacturer's homepage).

4. Recco
In clothing (helmet, shoes, jacket) integrated reflector allows for the tracking (radar principle) of victims who do not carry LVS. Searching is only by organized rescue team with Recco detector possible.
Reference
http://www.oeav.at/

Recco ( Recco Recco )

The RECCO® system is an exceptional additional search method since it can pinpoint the exact location of burial with harmonic radar. The equation that enables this search precision is an interaction between two critical parts, a reflector and a detector. The RECCO® detector is used by organized rescue groups, and RECCO® reflectors are permanently affixed by snow sports manufacturers to their commercially available clothing, helmets, boots or protection gear.
Reference
http://www.recco.com/

Avalung ( Avalung Avalung )

With the AvaLung, someone buried by an avalanche is able to breathe the oxygen contained in the snow. Even heavily compressed snow has an air component of at least 50%. The person’s exhaled air is directed into the snowpack at the rear corner of the pack, away from the fresh air intake zone. This dramatically increases the amount of time a victim can breathe and stay alive while trapped in the snow

Check and Ride ( Check and Ride Check and Ride )

Safety product to record the most important information given by the avalanche report.
Reference
http://www.ortovox.com

DAV-SnowCard ( DAV-SnowCard DAV-SnowCard )

The method from the German mountaineering club DAV to in a fast way to check and do risk assessment of avalanche danger
Reference
http://www.av-snowcard.de/

Stop or Go Card ( Stop or Go Card Stop or Go Card )

The Stop or Go Card from Michael Larcher is preferred by the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) to asses the avalanche danger
Reference
http://www.alpenverein.at/