How long can you breath when buried in an avy??

**Trackhead** · 12-05-2006, 10:20 AM

**FrankZappa** · 12-05-2006, 10:30 AM

Wow! Thanks TH. I guess I think it's a "good" thing that we pass out sometimes, though I think I've read some survival stories where folks are "awake" for quite some time. The helplessness frustration would drive me nuts.

**iskibc** · 12-06-2006, 01:36 PM

Good effort with this little project Trackhead. Hopefully it opens some eyes and helps with the awareness efforts. We need more of this type of education out there.

**smitchell333** · 12-06-2006, 08:05 PM

Hopefully longer assuming I can get the avalung in my mouth and keep it there.

**snowburns** · 12-06-2006, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by smitchell333

and keep it there.

The key part right there.

**Cirquerider** · 12-07-2006, 02:02 PM

TH, the interview with Steve, and ptavy's story "Scared in Slow Motion" both point to a potential benefit for avalung, yet both were overcome by avalanches on the way up the hill. I would think this could be a worst case scenario for the user of the covert / anarchist packs, since you would be stuck with the skis attached to the pack; and of course you can't dump the pack with your integral Avalung.

Maybe someone can develop a quick release for ski carry systems, or use purposely weakened replaceable buckles so that the first failure would be the ski carry straps. This could be important in any pack setup, and especially those with Avalung and future ABS models.

**FrankZappa** · 12-07-2006, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Cirquerider

TH, the interview with Steve, and ptavy's story "Scared in Slow Motion" both point to a potential benefit for avalung, yet both were overcome by avalanches on the way up the hill. I would think this could be a worst case scenario for the user of the covert / anarchist packs, since you would be stuck with the skis attached to the pack; and of course you can't dump the pack with your integral Avalung.

Maybe someone can develop a quick release for ski carry systems, or use purposely weakened replaceable buckles so that the first failure would be the ski carry straps. This could be important in any pack setup, and especially those with Avalung and future ABS models.

Cirque, did you read the The Brazil Nut Effect — How To Survive an Avalanche thread ML put up the other week. If I'm reading what Dale's theory is, looks like having the pack on would help.

**eirikainersharp** · 12-07-2006, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by FrankZappa

Cirque, did you read the The Brazil Nut Effect — How To Survive an Avalanche thread ML put up the other week. If I'm reading what Dale's theory is, looks like having the pack on would help.

I think the probem patv had was that he had skis on the back... that essentially increase your surface area with out increasing decreasing your volume... ie density - not good for the brazil nut effect. Skis on your back also increase the likley hood of trauma since if they losen you essentially have a large pair of sisors in the vicinity of your neck. In my opinion patv made the rigt call in dumping the pack!

**smitchell333** · 12-07-2006, 04:46 PM

Guess its back to the #1 survival tool - dont get caught in an avy.

But...if you do...If you're got the skis on the avalung pack I think you've got to put your chips on the avalung. Getting the pack off itself is a question mark if a slide is engulfing you.

Fight for the mouth piece.

**Cirquerider** · 12-07-2006, 05:13 PM

All I'm saying is maybe the avalung backpacks and ABS air bag packs that are designed to carry skis should employ the equivalent of a shear pin. An easiliy replaced buckle designed to fail if you are carrying skis and get hit by an avy. This separates you from the skis with no action being needed by the skier. The idea being unrelated to the Brazil nut effect, is to prevent your potentially life-saving pack from being ripped off your back or compromising performance of air-bags / avalung if you are carrying skis. With a weight penalty of maybe 2-grams, you could pack replacement buckles.