How Avalanche Airbags Work

According to the American Avalanche Association, an individual buried under snow from an avalanche has only a 27 percent chance of survival after being buried for 35 minutes. Avalanche airbags act as buoyancy devices that help a skier avoid being buried beneath an avalanche.

  1. Airbag

    • The Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE) reports that avalanche airbags have been in use since the late 1980s. The avalanche airbag is held in a backpack carried by persons entering areas in danger of avalanches.

    Gas

    • When a skier pulls the emergency cord on an avalanche airbag, a pressurized cartridge is punctured filling two PVC airbags with gas in 2.5 seconds. According to IEEE, avalanche airbags fill with around 170 liters of gas designed to keep the airbags on the surface of snow falling during an avalanche.

    Electronic

    • Science Daily reports engineers from the Franhofer Institute of Manufacturing Engineering & Automation created an electronically networked remote operation switch for avalanche airbags. Each member of a skiing party can activate the avalanche airbags of the members of the party when they become aware of an avalanche approaching.