Going for a ride in an avalanche; would you rather have a helmet or an avalung?

**Socialist** · 09-22-2011, 07:46 PM

If you had to choose between a helmet or a avalung before getting caught in an avalanche, which would give you the best chance of survival?

**skifishbum** · 09-22-2011, 07:53 PM

c. strong experienced partners
as my final answer

**Bunion 2020** · 09-22-2011, 08:06 PM

Tough question.

Either or, I will take the helmet.

Neither give you much more of an edge but I would prefer to have my faculties about me to survive.

**covert** · 09-22-2011, 08:19 PM

fwiw, asphyxia far outweighs trauma in avy fatalities.

of course that doesn't address bashing your head about and surviving. it also doesn't address the fact that an avalung is of no value unless used properly.

i always ski with an avalung and rarely wear a helmet but i think a helmet is clearly a more useful general safety device.

**DasBlunt** · 09-22-2011, 09:38 PM

good question. Both.

**Socialist** · 09-23-2011, 09:57 AM

I was expecting the both answer, so I'll try and convey the reasoning behind the question.
I own a helmet, but not an avalung.

So is it worth getting an avalung, if I don't usually bring my helmet? Only if the avalung makes you significantly safer.

If they are equivalent, then you should only get an avalung if you already are using a helmet (assuming everyone owns a helmet).

I can't come up with an analogy to convey what I am trying to say. I'll try and think of something today.

**Name Redacted** · 09-23-2011, 10:11 AM

Helmet. Hard to breath when your brain is splattered on a rock or tree. But the obvious answer is both. I was buried without either and I broke my arm using it to block a tree. Almost died of asphyxia though.

I got an avalung pack. That means that I always have the avalung. If I had a separate one, I can see myself being to lazy to take it out and put it on, especially in the side country.

**TahoeJ** · 09-23-2011, 12:00 PM

Depends on where you are. If there's trees and rocks below, definitely the helmet, if it's wide open, maybe the avalung. In general though, I'd say the helmet.

**covert** · 09-23-2011, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Socialist

So is it worth getting an avalung, if I don't usually bring my helmet? Only if the avalung makes you significantly safer.

If they are equivalent, then you should only get an avalung if you already are using a helmet (assuming everyone owns a helmet).

Truly you have a dizzying intellect. Stop. Buy avalung. Learn how to use it and do.

I have yet to hear a single good reason for not wearing an avalung in avalanche terrain.

**advres** · 09-23-2011, 09:20 PM

depends in the area. Near trees or cliffs? Helmet. Wide open area? Avalung.

EDIT - AND I commented before reading the thread and realized my exact answer was already stated by TahoeJ. My bad, he wins.

**bl2000** · 09-23-2011, 09:30 PM

All of which makes me think BD could develop a helmet with built-in avalung.

**stalefish3169** · 09-23-2011, 09:38 PM

Airbag FTW

**Meadow Skipper** · 09-23-2011, 09:41 PM

c. airbag.

Edit: aced out by stalefish

**BCMtnHound** · 09-23-2011, 09:49 PM

I think SFB had the correct answer. Either is better than nothing, both together are better than either one by itself. In the end, you are more likely to need the assistance of others more than anything else to survive the experience.

FWIW, I own neither. But the wife will win this season, and I will get a lid first - and only because a general knock to the head is more likely than taking a ride in an avalanche.

**covert** · 09-23-2011, 10:12 PM

socialist, are you asking us if it's worth wearing an avalung if you don't have a helmet on?

L7 · 09-23-2011, 10:22 PM

As an irrational opinion I would prefer an avalung. It may or may not help you survive. However, I would rather go by instant trauma then suffer a slow tortuous death by suffocation. You could argue that it may just prolong that suffocation and factor in a slow prolonged/diminished brain damaged life due to trauma. Did I mention irrational? I really would opt for option c as mentioned above, being good partners and intelligent choices.

**Name Redacted** · 09-23-2011, 10:57 PM

Totally OT but has anyone turned an avalung into a bong yet? Pics FTW

**covert** · 09-24-2011, 02:11 AM

can i use an avabong without a helmet?

**icelanticskier** · 09-24-2011, 06:58 AM

i use neither, but always bring my brain and a plan or 3. i'm not into extra gear for "just in case" situations. "just in case" gear gets folks into trouble as it puts folks into situations where that gear makes them feel safer. beacon/probe/shovel have come in handy on numerous occasion for recovering bodies from other unfortunate parties.

my big ride? had a plan going in, swam out of it without a scratch, got lucky. all i could ask for. life goes on.

rog

**skinnyskier** · 09-24-2011, 01:50 PM

Meadowskipper and Stalefish FTW.

**stalefish3169** · 09-24-2011, 02:48 PM

Though it's kind of unpleasant to think about, if you're going for a ride and smack your dome hard enough to the point where it's life threatening, you're probably gonna have some sort of spinal trauma too which is often game over quickly.

**covert** · 09-24-2011, 10:43 PM

choosing between a helmet, avalung, airbag, good partner, whatever is a little like choosing between a beacon, shovel or probe. what i mean by that is they're all parts of a safety system and everybody has a different preference for the configuration of their system. some roll with all, some roll with nothing but most choose to carry the critical components that fit their situation best.