Snowsafe Blog

History of Avalanche Airbags and how they have evolved 🎒

As we all know, technology is a growing market with new ski gadgets being released every season, Avalanche airbags are the same, although they use the same concepts, the airbag technology has evovled alot over the years.

Snowsafe breakdown the history of avalanche airbags and how the technology has evolved 

1970s – Background  In the 1970s, a German forest ranger made an interesting discovery – caught in an avalanche, Josef Hohenester owed his survival to the game he was carrying on his shoulders, since the latter allowed him to remain on the surface of the snow. Experiments with voluminous canisters and balloons followed. The idea for the avalanche airbag was born. In 1980, Peter Aschauer acquired the patent after a first-hand avalanche experience. He founded the company ABS Peter Aschauer GmbH and started to develop a system that allowed avalanche victims to gain a sufficient increase in volume within seconds, without obstructing their ability to move.

1985 – Premiere The first fully functional airbag system was unveiled at the ISPO trade fair.

1996 – ABS New System Unveiling of the first ABS system with two airbags (TwinBag). The system was also completely redesigned, with a pyrotechnic pneumatic activation unit replacing the previous Bowden cable. The backpacks were produced by Vaude.

Since 1998 the Avalanche Airbag technology has grown..

Many brands entered the airbag market in 2000s from Ortovox, BCA, Mammut and more.

Since the 2000s the avalache airbag market and general technology has changed drastically, from canister powered airbag technology to a shift in the market with electronic Jet-fan or supercapacitor powered airbags. 

Types of Avalanche Airbag Technology

Electronic:

Alpride – Alpride E2 is a fully electronic avalanche airbag, its supercapacitor technology replace the traditional Li-ion battery and results in the lightest electronical device on the market. 

Airbags using Alpride:

• Scott Backcountry Patrol E2 25 Ultralight Kit 
• Scott Backcountry Patrol E2 30 Kit
• Scott Backcountry Patrol E2 38 Kit  
• ABS A Light E2 10 Kit
• ABS A Light E2 18 Kit
• ABS A Light E2 25-30 Kit
• ABS A Light E2 35-40 Kit
• ABS Voltage E2 10 Kit 
• ABS Voltage E2 18 Kit
• ABS Voltage E2 30 Kit
• ABS Voltage E2 40 Kit

Jetforce Technology  – The Jetforce Avalanche Airbags system is a state-of-the-art technology that inflates your Airbag electronically, meaning you can store more than a single use and use it repeatedly by simply re-inserting the deflated airbag into your pack.

Airbags using Jetforce Technology:

• Black Diamond Jetforce Pro 10 Airbag

• Black Diamond Jetforce Pro 25 Airbag

• Black Diamond Jetforce Pro 35  Airbag

• Black Diamond Pro 25 Split Jetforce Airbag

• Pieps Jetforce BT 10 Airbag

• Pieps Jetforce BT 25 Airbag

• Pieps Jetforce BT 35 Airbag

Ortovox LiTRIC Airbag:

The combination of Super Capacitors and a 25g Lightweight Lithium-Ion Battery that is designed to Resist the cold, allows reliable operation even at the most extreme temperatures – without a drop in performance.

The radial high-performance compressor with axial diffusor fills the airbag in Four Seconds.

• Tour 28 S 
• Tour 30 
• Tour 36 S
• Tour 40 
• Freeride 16 S
• Freeride 18 
• Freeride 26 S
• Freeride 28 

Canister Powered:

Ortovox Avabag – Ortovox offer innovative airbag processing technology, the avabag systems are the lightest canister powered airbag system currently operative in the world, weighing in at only 640g. Ortovox offers a compact, effective and removable airbag unit system.

Airbags using Ortovox Avabag:

• Ortovox Crossrider 18 Avabag 
• Ortovox Freerider 20 S Avabag 
• Ortovox Freerider 22 Avabag 
• Ortovox Ascent 28 S Avabag 
• Ortovox Ascent 38 S Avabag
• Ortovox Ascent 40 Avabag

Mammut RAS – The Mammut RAS Removable Airbag System 3.0 is an avalanche airbag system based on a square, brightly-coloured airbag that deploys behind the wearer’s head within seconds.

The new system is safe and easy to use. It is even lighterand smaller than before and can be attached to all RAS Removable 3.0-compatible backpacks.

Airbags Using the RAS Airbag System:

• Mammut Flip Removable Airbag 3.0 Kit 
• Mammut Ride Removeable Airbag 3.0 Kit

what the pros and cons are of Electric vs Canister powered airbags?

Conclusion

The concept of all avalanche airbags are the same, there used to save lifes, its personal preference whether you choose to go electroic or canister powered. The important thing is that you wear one and you understand how it works.

Snowsafe Blogs:

It’s important to stay safe and have the correct training when skiing or snowboarding off-piste please check out further blogs below:

• What the pros and cons are of Electric vs Canister powered airbags?
• Everything you need to know about the Alpride E1 Airbag System
• New Ortovox Transceivers for season 21/22, follow the voice.
• Dont Venture off-piste without testing your avalanche transceiver
• Do Smartphones, Watches, Go-Pros interfere with Avalanche Transceivers?
• 11 Year-old Boy saved by Avalanche Transceiver in Chamonix, French Alps
• Mountain Rescue Drones saving Skiers lives from Avalanches

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