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Equipment - Winter sports - Avalanche equipment - Avalanche backpacks

Avalanche backpack: for greater safety in the snow

Do you love steep descents, ski tours, or snowshoe tours, preferably through fresh powder snow away from the slopes? Then you should take an avalanche backpack with you, because this special airbag backpack can save your life in an emergency. An avalanche backpack is worn like a normal sports backpack, but its special function can save your life if you are caught in an avalanche.

The avalanche backpack, also known as an avalanche airbag or ABS backpack, should be part of your winter equipment and is available in numerous designs and sizes. There are models for both men and women to suit different body sizes, so you are sure to find one that is tailored to your needs.

The avalanche backpack: for safe winter activities

Whether you are snowshoeing through the winter forest or skiing, snowboarding, or splitboarding, an avalanche backpack protects you wherever the snow is deep and the risk of avalanches is high. Avalanche backpacks should therefore be part of your safety equipment when you are off the protected slopes.

You can recognize a good avalanche backpack by the following features:

  • An avalanche backpack is equipped with a special airbag system that, similar to a life preserver, keeps you on the surface of the snow if you are caught in an avalanche. Depending on the model, one or two permanently installed balloons are integrated.
  • The additional weight of the airbag system, including the gas cartridge, release system, and airbags, is between 1,000 and a maximum of 3,000 grams.
  • The avalanche backpack has additional, easily accessible compartments where you can store an avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, and other accessories that will help you rescue others from the avalanche snow more quickly.
  • There are also several attachment options on the outside so that you can attach additional accessories such as a rope, ice axe, or helmet to the airbag backpack.
  • Depending on the model, the backpack with avalanche airbag can be opened at the top, side, or back.
  • Some avalanche backpacks have reinforced back protectors at the back to protect your spine in the event of a fall.
  • Inside the avalanche backpack, there is usually a large main compartment and several inner compartments for organizing your equipment.
  • With some airbag backpacks, the airbag system can be removed from the backpack and integrated into another compatible backpack. This allows you to easily switch between different backpack sizes.

ABS avalanche backpack: How it works

As soon as you find yourself in an emergency situation and are buried by an avalanche, the airbag inside the avalanche backpack is triggered. Depending on the backpack model, one or two balloons are triggered within seconds of being buried, inflating with high pressure thanks to an integrated gas cartridge and allowing you to float to the surface. This prevents you from being buried deeper and deeper, which would significantly reduce your chances of survival. However, because the avalanche backpack keeps you close to the surface of the avalanche, in most cases you can free yourself very quickly or, if you are injured, be found more quickly by rescuers. An avalanche backpack increases your chances of survival in the event of an avalanche by more than 40%.

The lightweight safety bonus

Despite its integrated technology, an avalanche backpack is relatively light and does not hinder you when hiking or ski touring. You can also use it for other luggage you need when skiing or snowboarding, but also when touring through the forest. Among the numerous With the range of models available at Transa, you are sure to find the right avalanche backpack for your next winter vacation.