Do you wear an Avalanche Air Bag in the Mountains

Do you wear an Avalanche Air Bag in the Mountains

  • ABS

    Votes: 259 27.2%
  • Float

    Votes: 162 17.0%
  • Snowpulse

    Votes: 274 28.8%
  • I Do Not Wear An Air Bag

    Votes: 257 27.0%

  • Total voters
    952

Revxm

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have to say very surprised that 28% dont wear a bag.
As a friend of mine would say "suck to die with a $1000 in my bank account"
 

iceman5689

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Snowpulse highmark.
-lightweight
-lifebag provides extra head/neck/chest trauma protection.
-filling is more convenient then nitrogen.
-right shoulder cable activation(can still have hand on trottle)
 

JONSHOW

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...Been going to the mountains since 1989 . Now that is dating myself :d Never needed an avy bag yet but why not play it safe....
I will bet money that you didn't get in to as many hairy spots riding your 1989 "_________" as the average rider can get in to now.
Different times, different technology.
I think the machines we have now come with higher chance of risk due to their capabilities. To help insure your level of risk is lower, an airbag is an excellent option.
 

McGrath

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Never had one for 25 years but started this year with BCA love the fit and I do believe they are the lightest ones out there. Like someone mention ride smart is the key, don't want to ever have to use it myself.
 

101110101101

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I haven't read all 30+ pages... but I do have some related questions to avalanche safety and training.

1. I would like to take the AST1 course... can that be done in the off season? (Prior to next snowmobile season) or is that not possible?
2. What is the average cost of this course?
3. What is the break down of basic gear? I mean there are air bags... and a bunch of other equipment discussed in this thread.... but I seriously hate wearing anything on my back..... I've brought all my camera gear in a backpack and no matter the backpack it always seems to restrict movement of the arms.... and cut off circulation to the arms...

Maybe the course is something the wife and I can do in the off season (if possible). Buying the avalanche gear.... well...... I'd have to buy it all times 4.. and that's more than I'm willing to shell out for now. We tend to take the kids, and have an adult and kid on each sled.... Does anyoen else do the same and do all 4 riders have the gear?
 

mathrulz

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I haven't read all 30+ pages... but I do have some related questions to avalanche safety and training.

1. I would like to take the AST1 course... can that be done in the off season? (Prior to next snowmobile season) or is that not possible?
2. What is the average cost of this course?
3. What is the break down of basic gear? I mean there are air bags... and a bunch of other equipment discussed in this thread.... but I seriously hate wearing anything on my back..... I've brought all my camera gear in a backpack and no matter the backpack it always seems to restrict movement of the arms.... and cut off circulation to the arms...

Maybe the course is something the wife and I can do in the off season (if possible). Buying the avalanche gear.... well...... I'd have to buy it all times 4.. and that's more than I'm willing to shell out for now. We tend to take the kids, and have an adult and kid on each sled.... Does anyoen else do the same and do all 4 riders have the gear?


1. All the ones I'm aware of have a practical component to the course, so you need to actually be out in the snow for a portion of it - tough to do once summer comes around, but there's usually lots of courses at the start of each season to get ready.

2. Not positive on this, but I'd say something around $350-$500 per person I believe.

3. A beacon should be mandatory for everyone you ride with (ie each person has 1), and ensure all know how to use it. The backpacks are nice, especially if you're going to carry stuff in a backpack anyway - doesn't hurt to spend a bit more and get one of the inflatable avy packs. Like the beacon, it's only good for whoever is wearing it. A shovel and probe are also pretty handy to have if you should ever have to rescue someone. Should have a min of 2 sets of these with your group.
 

GoHiSK1

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I will bet money that you didn't get in to as many hairy spots riding your 1989 "_________" as the average rider can get in to now.
Different times, different technology.
I think the machines we have now come with higher chance of risk due to their capabilities. To help insure your level of risk is lower, an airbag is an excellent option.

Get your money out :) Does anybody remember 650 Big Bore Fuji Triples !!! Plastic bolt on paddles and 156" tracks. WOW we where Styling.
Used to do a lot of Chute climbing and been from Sask. we only made it out West in the spring, right after Polaris snow Check Program. (mid April)
Was allways Firm Snow Spring conditions. Tree riding was only by mistake for us. haha
Ride the trees on purpose now :)
 

bbtoys

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have to say very surprised that 28% dont wear a bag.
As a friend of mine would say "suck to die with a $1000 in my bank account"
I would agree but in many cases, if you still have your handle velcroed down you might as well have spent the 1000 on hookers and beer.
 

RMPERK

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After you have gone to the avalanche class you concerned to go past the end of the parking lot
it is crazy what they show you that slides
With 37 degrees being the angle that kills the most people if I recall correctly.
not very steep at all
 

SLEDBUNNYRACING

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I would agree but in many cases, if you still have your handle velcroed down you might as well have spent the 1000 on hookers and beer.

For me ---- the moment I hit the mountain my leg is strapped in and my handle exposed, for the ride in, like Renshaw, I don't expose the handle until the cabin.
Do I think it will save my life, I just hope I never have to find out.
And I agree, shame to die and have $1000 in your account and an AVY report given to your family saying a bag might have made the difference.
However my family and I accept that this can happen and although they would be sad, they would understand I prepared the best I could.
Cheerz and ride safe...ride smart


Tapatalk....well I'm happy with you now....thanks for the fix.
 

snochuk

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I will bet money that you didn't get in to as many hairy spots riding your 1989 "_________" as the average rider can get in to now.
Different times, different technology.
I think the machines we have now come with higher chance of risk due to their capabilities. To help insure your level of risk is lower, an airbag is an excellent option.

I would say that today's stockers can out climb most if not all climbers from back in the day, even the cats are getting better. :smiliestirthepot: Everyone in our group has a bag, fortunately we have never pulled a handle other than for testing.
 

RMPERK

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I bought a ABS pack down in the states appx 10 years ago????? Including back then I paid $1200 US when the Canadian dollar SUCKED. Everyone laughed or said what in the heck do you need that for. Fast forward to today and look where we are. Just like snochuk says stockers do pretty darn good. I had a hill climber with a crankshop at 235 HP and it pulled hard. I think it would still out pull a stock unit but not by much. Now have the 174 skidoo and the new Polaris coming that are half the price I had into that hill climber. The only thing I miss out that hillclimber is M10 suspension that was down to 47 pounds and the smell of gas all over your hands and suit as you jet down for the third time that day. LOL
 

AGGRESIVEZEBRA

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Re: Do yow wear an Avalanche Air Bag in the Mountains

just ordered my BCA mountain pro vest avy bag for this season. Is there a reason i dont see much BCA on this thread? or people just get the others because they are in more shops?
 

Joholio

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I doo now! Thanks Santa
27562b582b0cc80d7b3dfd1aa8f07e4a.jpg
 

jlk10

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I was set on the snow pulse vest but ended up buying a abs sb15 from the guy I bought my sled from.
 

niner

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My avi vest gauge was in the blue so I figured give it a test and get it refilled. Where are you guys getting the co2 filled in Red Deer?
 

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Swishsmurf

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I'm rocking the new Black Diamond Jet Force its operated by rechargeable battery and good for a few pulls a trip if needed. Cost a little more to purchase but then there is no charge to test or use. Brought the wife shopping and she could not understand why I would purchase a 1 time use per trip vs this one thats multiple use per charge.....tried to explain if I am in a situation that I need to pull I'd be heading home to change my base layer ha ha.
 
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