ABS Avalanche Airbags

An ABS avalanche backpack – an airbag made for freeriding

The ABS Peter Aschauer GmbH avalanche backpacks, also known as ABS avalanche airbags, are a must-have whilst freeriding. Thanks to their great passion for winter sports, the German market leader ABS has dedicated itself to avalanche safety and developed the ABS avalanche backpack. This is a safety system that increases the probability of survival in the event of an avalanche. In addition to the basic safety equipment consisting of an avalanche transceiver, an avalanche shovel and a probe, more and more freeriders, ski tourers and snowshoers now swear by ABS avalanche backpacks. So, it’s fair to say that an ABS avalanche backpack for skiing and snowboarding off-piste is now the equivalent to a car’s airbag.

Here's why you should have an ABS avalanche backpack

Of course, ABS avalanche backpacks cannot stop an avalanche and they won’t help rescue a buried victim, however they'll still greatly enhance safety. An ABS avalanche airbag does NOT replace basic avalanche equipment, such as an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. You'll also need to have some knowledge on avalanches and risk management when going off-piste and in avalanche-prone areas. Here's how an ABS avalanche backpack works: it consists of ABS TwinBags that are attached to both longitudinal sides of the body. These will bring the body of the buried victim into a flat position in an avalanche to prevent the victim from being held down and buried under the masses of snow that follow. In addition, the side airbags will prevent the victim from being seriously injured. In the event of an avalanche, i.e. if you're already in an avalanche and have pulled the ABS avalanche airbag, the ABS avalanche backpack will increase the buoyancy at the runout area. The airbags of the ABS avalanche backpack will be visible on the snow’s surface after the avalanche has stopped. The ABS avalanche backpack then enables you to rescue yourself or your companions quickly. When activated, an ABS avalanche backpack reduces the risk of falling, injuring yourself and from getting completely buried. The ABS avalanche backpack is the only self-rescue system that has proven its life-saving effectiveness over the years and is a must-have for freeriding and ski touring.