ICE, ICE, SAVE ME!

—— Special airbags are designed to save the lives of winter sports enthusiasts caught in an avalanche. The technology is likely to become more and more important in light of the increasing popularity of ski mountaineering and backcountry tours. Here’s a look at how they work.

TEXT JAN SCHULTE
ILLUSTRATION ANTON HALLMANN

How avalanche airbags work

Avalanche airbags are anchored in a special backpack. Once deployed, they quickly maximize a skier’s total volume so that the person rises to the top of the avalanche debris instead of sinking to the bottom. A skier triggers the airbag by pulling a handle on a cord. This sets off a carbon-dioxide cartridge that inflates the airbag. Relatively new to the market are also airbags that use an electric blower for inflation.

EFFECTIVENESS

How much of a difference these airbags really make has long been a matter of debate. What’s certain is that they reduce the risk of being buried or at least reduce the depth of burial. According to a 2014 study, the mortality rate for people without an airbag backpack was 22 percent. For skiers with the proper equipment, the rate was 11 percent—but for airbag wearers whose rescue bag wasn’t inflated, the rate of death rose to 13 percent. So an airbag can cut the number of avalanche deaths almost in half.

IMMEDIATELY PULL THE CORD

A CARBON-DIOXIDE CYLINDER GOES OFF

THE AIRBAG INFLATES IN JUST SECONDS

THE LARGER VOLUME KEEPS THE SKIER ON TOP OF THE AVALANCHE

THE RISK OF INJURY AND THE MORTALITY RATE WITH AN AIRBAG IS MUCH LOWER

PEOPLE AND SNOW, SNOW AND PEOPLE

THE WHITE HAZARD

Researchers believe that avalanches will become more common due to a warming climate. The number of victims in the Alps varies greatly from season to season, but the long-term average is around 100 fatalities per season. Whether and how avalanches occur depends on a variety of factors, including the structure of the snowpack and the different layers of snow.

MORE PROTECTION FROM AVALANCHES

An avalanche airbag should always be just an additional means of protection against avalanches. The risk of being surprised by an avalanche can be greatly reduced with good preparation. People skiing on groomed slopes usually don’t have to worry about avalanches, because for safety, avalanches are triggered beforehand, diverted or kept in check with special fences. Skiers who go off-piste, however, should plan their tour well in advance, including the most recent avalanche situation report. A probe, avalanche beeper and shovel are part of the mandatory equipment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

There has been an EU standard for avalanche airbags since 2017. Accordingly, their minimum volume is 150 liters, and they must reach maximum volume five seconds after deployment. If the avalanche comes to a stop before the airbag is completely deployed, the likelihood of being buried increases.

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