Tag Archives: avalanche survival

Avalanche Backpack Will Increase A Victim’s Survival Window

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A new avalanche backpack will increase a victim’s survival window from 15 To 90 minutes.

A Dangerous Experience

Skiing in the backcountry is potentially a rather dangerous experience. If you injure yourself or have an emergency rescue parties take a lot longer than they would at a resort. And there’s always the risk of avalanches. Fortunately, there are ways to limit that danger. Individuals can take courses to learn about mitigating the danger of an avalanche. Beacons, probes, and shovels make it easier for parties to rescue avalanche victims in shorter periods of time, and avalanche airbags give those caught in an avalanche a decent chance of staying above the snow.

With classes and devices the risk is limited but not completely removed. A Norwegian company has set out to increase chances of survival through the Safeback SBX avalanche backpack.

Avalanche Deaths – Cause and Prevention

Avalanche caused deaths don’t result from a lack of oxygen. Dense avalanche debris sits at around 60-70% air. Victims succumb to carbon dioxide poisoning as gas builds up in the snow around them. The SBX seeks to limit that carbon dioxide buildup by pumping oxygen into the snow surrounding one’s mouth while pushing away the built up carbon dioxide. In an avalanche a victims pull the t-shaped handle located on the shoulder strap. This activates a fan located in the SBX Clean Air Intake placed on one’s back. That fan pumps oxygen from an area lacking CO2 buildup to the Clean Air Outlets on the wearer’s shoulders.

One major advantage is that it doesn’t require a mouthpiece. When you’re stuck under avalanche debris there’s a very good chance you won’t be able to move your arms very much. Meaning a mouthpiece just isn’t very reliable.

The company claims that the device can extend the survival window from 15 minutes to 90 minutes, increasing the chance of a successful rescue.

Coming Soon

The Safeback SBX avalanche backpack is set to release during the 2023/24 ski season, and once it’s out, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more information relating to its capabilities.

Safeback SBX avalanche backpack
Safeback SBX avalanche backpack

Avalanche Survivor Shares Story

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An avalanche survivor is talking about being buried by snow to encourage others to be safe while in the mountains.

A year ago Ryan Mitchell had a life changing experience. He and some friends were snowboarding at Steamboat Resort when an avalanche was triggered above them.

Area was closed, but access not blocked

Mitchell was one of eight people who were in a closed area. Although the area was closed they did not duck any ropes to access it. They traversed in above Big Meadow, which was open, and below the chutes. It is believed they triggered the avalanche from below. Several people were caught in the slide but only Mitchel was completely buried. Another person was buried up to their waist.

“Just a normal day”

“It was just a normal day. We were actually planning to go out and build a jump out in Steamboat,” said Mitchell. “I was out in front and my buddy Dane cut across, and all of a sudden there was a loud boom.”

They tried to outrun the slide but he and a friend were buried. “It hit me in the back of my board and I just went in.”

His friend extricated himself and was able to tell the other friend where Mitchell was last seen. Having some avalanche training, they started digging. A skier who witnessed the whole thing went to get ski patrol. Ryan was buried for 8 minutes. He had to come to terms with what could have been the end of his life.

“I was like, ‘Man, this is it.’ Everything went through my brain. The last conversations I had with everybody that I feel like I ever had a conversation with.”

Recovered before ski patrol arrived

Miraculously, he says his friends found him just as ski patrol was arriving. “I guess my buddies were saying they took my arm out and it just flopped and I was just blue.”

Mitchell was taken to a hospital and was not injured. When he was released he went for chicken wings to celebrate. He is telling his story now as an avalanche survivor because he has seen stories about avalanches trapping and killing people.

Keep enjoying the mountains, safely

He wants people to know that enjoying the mountains is still a good thing. Just make sure you go with people who have avalanche training.

“Keep doing what you love to do and just keep pushing man. I’m thankful that I had good people around me. Good friends that knew what they were doing and when times got tough, they didn’t panic.”

photo of avalanche debris