Rider is saved by her airbag while she's caught in the thick of it.

From TGR
http://www.tetongravity.com/blogs/Vi...es-5741381.htm

Take note of the comments about their friend: Shouldn't have been up out there

Her airbag, rather.

Hope videos like this don't give the idea that riding a size 3 is no big deal - high 5's all around.

She's very lucky. That was a big release. I also hope that this doesn't give folks the idea that they don't need to worry about avalanches anymore.

It looks like the slope about 100m left of the rider already avalanched shortly before (or at least the same day). A bit crazy to not expect similar reaction from the same slope. She was lucky, even though she was wearing an airbag.

Kind of almost seemed like it was a product testing of the airbag.

Good she got through okay.

K

The crew at the base can give a sense of false security as well. They aren't going to help you out if you are fatally injured.

It's great that she is ok and that she was taking all the possible precautions to deal with an avalanche, even if she wasn't taking all the precautions to avoid an avalanche.

That's the thing. You could hit a rock or tree on your way down and be killed or maimed from that.

corrected

As the comments expressed, there's a good chance for road rash and worse along the way when it steps down to sediment.

Good to see a survivable demonstration of the airbag in action, it works good not just to keep the person boyant but visibility it is easier to see where they are in some cases.

Airbags are designed to offer some protection from blunt force trauma, lacerations, etc. The good ones are designed to offer some protection specifically to the head and torso.

It's good to finally see the industry, and backcountry users embracing a field proven lifesaving device. Burial is not an option.

If you only have limited money to spend, you should buy an airbag before you buy a beacon. An airbag can save your life. A beacon will allow you to be busted up, and buried. For the dollar, an airbag offers 10X the lifesaving properties, at only 3X the cost of a beacon, and you get trauma protection, and a daypack. Get a beacon after you've bought an airbag.

Is that the official position of any snow scientists/avalanche forecasters/SAR groups anywhere?

Not to be difficult. I've read studies on beacon use, but nothing that ever came to this strong of a conclusion, and I'm definitely curious.

Dubious at best.

Not if you want to come skiing with me!

Remember, a beacon isn't just for your own protection. Half the reason that you carry a beacon is to help find someone else in a slide. Everyone in a group has a moral responsibility to carry a beacon, shovel and probe and know how to use them.

Perhaps the day will come when groups make a decision to all carry airbags and leave the other stuff at home? Are they really that reliable?