Skiing or snowboarding, freeriding, ski touring, mountaineering and even hiking in the mountains in winter are extreme. A person has to test not only his strength far from civilization, but also to face snow, cold and strong wind.

Snow avalanches should be highlighted separately in this list of dangers. Huge snow masses, moving at high speed, destroy everything around. They are not stopped by trees in the forest or houses on the slopes.

The danger of falling into an avalanche threatens everyone who goes out into the snow. But on prepared tracks, the chance to meet her is many times smaller than on wild slopes. But isn't that what attracts extremes to the mountains in winter? Pristine snow, mountains and a sense of freedom are what people go for on winter trips and day trips.

Freeride and skitour allow you to feel the whole range of emotions and enjoy the mountains. And to make it as safe as possible, it is important to choose the right avalanche equipment. No matter how extreme your vacation in the mountains will be - it can be freestyle far from the resort or just a walk along the ridge, you must take care of your safety.

Properly selected clothes and shoes will provide you with warmth and comfort. And in case of an avalanche, we advise you to take care of avalanche equipment. This includes:

  • Backpack with ABS system
  • Beeper
  • Probe
  • Avalanche shovel
  • Respiratory system

Avalanche backpack

A backpack for winter adventures is functionally similar to a hiking backpack. When choosing, you should pay attention to his:

  • Materials should be moisture resistant to keep all contents dry. Also, the fabric should be tear-resistant and resistant to friction. Ultralight models for mountains are not suitable in winter, because the material cannot withstand aggressive friction. Most often, it is the backpack that bears the greatest load when falling and sliding on hard snow or firn.
  • Furniture. One of the most important criteria should be ease of use in gloves. It is advisable to choose wide zippers, such as "tractor" ones with large runners. All fasteners and fasteners must be made of strong frost-resistant plastic. Otherwise, they may break under minimal load.
  • Landing must be selected individually. It is important to pay attention to the distance between the shoulder straps (it can be different for girls and boys), the height of the belt on the hips. If possible, measure several options from different manufacturers before buying. For example, the Black Diamond company makes models with a universal fit, they fit most riders.
  • The presence of a front pocket for an avalanche shovel and a dipstick. Such equipment is compactly folded for transportation, but a special compartment makes it easier to carry and allows you to quickly get everything you need for a rescue operation.
  • The location of the pockets should be comfortable for quick access to the contents. If possible, choose models in which you can get the contents out of the pocket without removing the backpack.

A distinctive feature of ski backpacks is the attachment for skis and snowboards. This makes it possible to free your hands during lifting. The equipment fixed on the backpack is fixed with the help of slings and ties.

Also, for convenience, many manufacturers offer helmet mounts or a removable helmet pocket. Such models can be selected from the line of avalanche backpacks of the Peips brand.

But a high-quality avalanche backpack must be equipped with an airbag. It is a container made of strong fabric, which, if necessary, is filled with air and keeps the rider in the flow of the snow mass on the upper layers. An airbag does not work as a float because the snow in an avalanche is very dense, often with stones. The movement of the victim in the avalanche flow is similar to sugar in a sugar bowl - if the main mass is constantly shaken, the largest particles rise to the top. This is approximately what happens to a person who got into an avalanche.

An air cushion performs several tasks at once:

  • Protects the neck and head from injury;
  • "Lifts" a person to the outer layers of snow in an avalanche during its movement;
  • Creates an additional air chamber while the person is under the snow.

Air cushions are presented by various manufacturers. The differences are only in the method of filling the cushion with air.

Initially, a balloon with a mixture of light gases was used to fill the chamber with air. In case of danger, the rider activates the balloon using a loop or a lever on the webbing and his rescue cushion is filled with air. Cylinders can contain nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, compressed air is also used.

The solution with cylinders has a number of features in use:

  • Such cylinders for filling air chambers are disposable, and it is problematic to find and buy new ones.
  • Balloons cannot be transported on airplanes. If you have planned a freeride in another country, the backpack will have to be delivered separately by ground delivery services.

Peips engineers together with the American company Black Diamond have developed an alternative solution. Their development, called Jet Force, quickly fills the chamber with air. A very powerful fan is used at the base. It fills the cushion with air in less than three seconds .

To compare the power of the fan: a powerful hair dryer has a frequency of 2000 to 4000 revolutions per minute, and a Jet Force - 60000 revolutions.

The fan is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be charged from an outlet.

Such a solution has the following advantages:

  • Speed – Jet Force fills a 200 liter pillow in less than three seconds;
  • Ease of recharging – a socket and an adapter are required;
  • The battery is enough for several full fillings of the rescue cushion (the manufacturer claims 4 full cycles, but at very low temperatures, the number is reduced);
  • Ease of transportation - there are no problems with such a backpack on airplanes;
  • Thanks to the rechargeable battery, you can train before climbing or freeriding.

Such a backpack sits comfortably on the back, does not restrict movement, but at the same time, the entire system of the folded air cushion and the fan create additional weight. In some sports, such as backcountry, this can be uncomfortable.

To solve this problem, Black Diamond developed the lightest Jetforce UltraLight model. Here, the function of filling the pillows with air is performed by cartridges with compressed argon and carbon dioxide. Thanks to this, the backpack with the entire system weighs only 1890 grams, while similar models with a fan weigh more than 3 kg.

Avalanche sensors (beepers)

To find a person under an avalanche as quickly as possible, we recommend using a beeper. This is a special sensor that, depending on the conditions, will emit or receive a radio signal. The device significantly increases the chances of the victim being found in time.

Features of sensors:

 

  • 457 kHz - it is at this frequency that all beepers work, regardless of the manufacturer, model and year of manufacture. At the time of development of the first avalanche sensors, this frequency was free, moreover, radio waves of this frequency pass well through snow, even dense and with impurities of dirt or stones.
  • Good energy saving. All models of sensors are designed for a long time of operation at sub-zero temperatures. On average, the beeper works for about 200-220 hours from one charge. When the battery charge is reduced, the signal strength does not decrease, this allows you to find a person even with a low battery charge.
  • A beeper is a receiver/transmitter of radio waves. In addition to it, radio waves are also emitted by smartphones, walkie-talkies, and GPS navigators. To minimize signal distortion, we recommend keeping all these gadgets at a distance of 25 cm from each other. Otherwise, the beeper will discharge faster, and the quality of its work during searches will be reduced. Rescuers recommend that during search operations, all additional devices (phones, trackers, etc.) be placed in a backpack and kept as far away as possible.
  • On average, the beeper catches radio waves in a radius of up to 60 m. The screen will display a direction arrow and the distance to the object.
  • Models from Black Diamond and PIEPS have a marking function. It allows searching for several victims at once. That is, the device distinguishes several different objects and "leads" to each one separately.
  • Many models (Black Diamond BD Guide BT Beacon, Pieps DSP Std) have iProbe function. Thanks to it, the connection between the sensor and the tip of the probe is established. During the search, when the tip of the probe rests on the body of the victim, a signal is sent to the beeper, notifying about this.

Peculiarities of using the beeper:

  • The beeper is not a large device, so it does not constrain movements, does not interfere with free movement.
  • Before leaving the hotel, the sensor is worn on the body over underwear and turned on. If you put it in a backpack or in a chicken pocket, there is a chance that it will be lost during an avalanche or heavy traffic, and rescuers will be looking for the sensor, not you.
  • Modern models are equipped with soft buttons that do not press on the body, do not create discomfort.
  • Beepers are not afraid of low temperatures. That is, when the air temperature is below -10 -14 degrees, it will work for the stated time. But don't forget to replace the batteries with fresh ones before each trip.
  • The activated WiFi module of the phone can create additional interference for the device. Before going to the mountains, turn off this function in gadgets.
  • Before going on the slope, be sure to read the instructions and study the functionality of your sensor. YOUR life depends on it!
  • Beeper is an individual victim search device. It is important that everyone in the group has them. Thus, partners will be able to find a person with a beeper under the thickness of snow even before the rescuers arrive. Also, a larger number of sensors allows you to cover a large area for searches.

Probes

The probe is used to search for a person under a layer of snow in order to determine his location as accurately as possible. With its help, you can not only find the victim, but also study the depth and density of the snow mass. This allows you to determine the avalanche danger of a certain area.

Of all the avalanche equipment, the feeler is the simplest device. In fact, it is a long complex probe, which consists of aluminum tubes of the same diameter. They are connected to each other with the help of a thin steel cable or Kevlar cord. At its end there is a loop or a handle that fixes the finished structure. It prevents arbitrary glass given during work.

The length of the snow probe is on average from 220 to 350 cm. It is optimal to choose models with a length of 280-300 cm, for example, the Pieps Probe Aluminum 300 Sport probe. In addition to the above characteristics, it "connects" with the sensor thanks to the Probe. The essence of this function is that when searching, the tip of the probe finds the beeper signal as close as possible, a notification about this is transmitted to the searcher's sensor. In this way, it is possible to minimize searches and search only in the right direction.

Snow shovels

It happens that the victim's body is visible on the surface after an avalanche, which facilitates the entire rescue process. But often a person is buried under a layer of snow that needs to be dug out to free him. An avalanche shovel is used for this.

What should an avalanche shovel be?

The shovel must have a complex design. This facilitates its transportation in a backpack, storage. Most often, it consists of a ladle, a folding handle and a handle.

The bucket has a rectangular shape, sometimes with holes, for ease of excavation. The size of the bucket affects the speed of work. For example, in the Black Diamond Transfer 3 Shovel model, a large bucket allows you to dig quickly and thereby save a person's life.

It is recommended to take a folding handle, this allows you to adjust the length depending on the conditions of excavation. It is desirable to have a non-slip surface.

The handle can be of different shapes and sizes. Before buying an avalanche shovel, it is important to pay attention to how it fits in the palm of your hand and whether it is comfortable to work with gloves. Most models from Black Diamond are equipped with a T-shaped handle, while the Pieps brand has an S-shaped handle. They both perform their tasks, but fit in hand in different ways.

Which shovel is better - metal or plastic?

A plastic shovel will be lighter, but for rescue work it is better to choose models made of light alloy. This guarantees its reliability, the ability to dig dense snow, cut firn, and throw away stones.

Kits

Professional rescuers and guides carefully study the functionality of each component before buying avalanche safety equipment. For example, the Pieps DSP Std beeper model is chosen by professional guides, it allows you to track the location of several people at the same time, while its analogue Pieps DSP Tour - only one or two, and if there are more victims, then obstacles will only hinder the search.

But if you are just starting to learn the features of avalanche safety, manufacturers offer ready-made sets of equipment. This includes a sensor, a shovel, and a dipstick. Also, they will be a great gift for extremes who go skiing off-piste. The Black Diamond BD Set Recon BT is balanced in terms of weight, price and functionality. The beeper has the simplest possible menu, thanks to which a novice rider can quickly find his way around navigation.

Respiratory systems

Recently, developers have been paying attention to different ways of survival when the victim is covered by a snow avalanche. The main problem is lack of air. A person simply suffocates from a lack of oxygen and oversaturation of the surrounding space with carbon dioxide, which he exhales.

In 1995, the Black Diamond company introduced the Black Diamond AvaLung life jacket, with the help of which the air exhaled by a person was discharged behind the back, thereby moving carbon dioxide away from the face. This vest was later simplified, and today the Black Diamond AvaLung Element breathing system is on the market. It consists of several tubes that are fixed to the avalanche backpack.

There is a chance of falling under an avalanche for everyone who associates their vacation with snow, regardless of whether you are skiing on prepared tracks, doing mountaineering or dissecting a lump far from civilization.

To minimize risks, it is important to follow avalanche safety rules, have avalanche equipment and the skills to use it. It is important to get your bearings in time and start searching for the victim, because according to statistics, the following survive:

  • 92% of victims who were dug out in the first 15 minutes;
  • 50% survive after excavation within 25 minutes;
  • 2% of those unearthed in 2 hours.

The SMG group company cares about your safety and is an official supplier of avalanche safety equipment from brands such as Black Diamond and Pieps. Beepers, probes, shovels and backpacks are available in our warehouses. You can also buy the Black Diamond AvaLung Element breathing system from us, which will allow you to continue your safe stay under the snow mass.

You can buy equipment for avalanche safety in stores.