Avalanche airbag systems explained

ABS is a pioneer in avalanche backpacks and previously distinguished between the ABS P.Ride and the s.Light system. The P.Ride system stands out for its partner-deployment feature, allowing a watching partner to trigger the airbag deliberately in a critical situation.

ABS claims an airbag contact area up to twice as large, significantly increasing the probability of staying on the surface when caught in an avalanche. The two largely independent airbags (ABS® Twinbag system) are filled via separate valves, so a tear in one airbag does not cause total failure.

The s.Light system also uses the proven ABS® Twinbag system; the weight of the base unit was reduced to under 2 kilograms. With the well-known ZipOn principle, all ABS backpacks can be turned from a daypack into a multi-day pack by zipping on different attachments – a proven and flexible concept.

Alpride 2.0 is a purely mechanical and compact system using two small gas cartridges. The 2.0 system is certified to the DIN EN 16716 standard.

Alpride E1 is a fully electronic system. Alpride states that the supercapacitors used can store electrical energy without chemical reactions, guaranteeing the same performance at temperatures between -30 °C and +40 °C. They can be charged from two full AA batteries within 40 minutes or alternatively via USB. Multiple deployments of the airbag are possible at no extra cost.

The Alpride E2 system uses a powerful blower that can inflate the airbag in a short time. Pulling the trigger handle switches on a radial compressor that inflates the airbag, powered by a supercapacitor.

Supercapacitors store electrical energy without chemical reactions (unlike lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries) and are therefore not temperature-sensitive – they deliver the same performance from -30 °C to +50 °C. The system can be charged directly from a wall socket via USB-C. Combined with two standard AA batteries, it runs for up to three months. A self-test runs every time the system is switched on, and an LCD display shows the charge level and other information. A protective housing around the system prevents other items from interfering with it.

Arva Reactor is a mechanical system. Once inflated, the airbag appears as a single unit on the outside but has two separate chambers. A tear in one chamber during a burial therefore does not lead to a complete system failure.

The BCA system is a mechanical system. The entire airbag unit can be removed from the backpack, so BCA backpacks can also be used without the airbag and its extra weight. The current generation is called Float 2.0.

JetForce is an electronic system. All Black Diamond models equipped with the JetForce system use the largest airbag in the test at 200 litres.

After deployment, the system proactively keeps the airbag inflated for three minutes. The airbag is then proactively deflated again – intended to create more space in the event of a burial and to make excavation easier.

The cartridge, deployment system and trigger handle are identical on the mechanical P.A.S. and R.A.S. systems. The systems differ in price and airbag design; steel or carbon cartridges can be used.

The airbag of the P.A.S. system protects the head, neck and chest area from mechanical injuries in an avalanche. Both the P.A.S. and R.A.S. systems are removable, making the backpacks versatile.

Ortovox Avabag is also a mechanical system. Ortovox optimised the system for the weight of the unit and the ergonomics of the trigger handle. The system can be deployed without a cartridge for training and re-armed with a reactivation tool.

Avabag Litric is an electronic system and the result of a cooperation between Arc'teryx and Ortovox. The system weighs 1,100 g – making it one of the lightest on the market. Multiple test deployments are possible, the system is not subject to travel restrictions and can be charged via USB-C in 25 minutes.