4 . Now fold the airbag three
times towards the backpack
ensuring that each fold is
approx . a hand‘s breadth wide
so that the airbag can easily
unfold .
5 . Now push the airbags in the
designated compartments . The
suction and release valve must
be clearly visible on top of the
airbag material .
6 . Fasten the Velcro closures*
of the airbag compartments
tightly .
* On some of the partner
models you may need to
close the zippers .
Step 12
Replace cartridge and activation handle
After every activation the cartridge and the activation handle
must be replaced.
Proceed according to step 1, 2 and 4, 5 .
The ABS-System is then once again operational .
4.2 Before every tour or use
Follow steps 1– 6 of the Initial Operation
1 Checking cartridge weight
2 Attaching cartridge
3 Attaching straps and belts
4 Checking activation handle
5 Attaching activation handle
6 Velcro closure
4.3 At the end of the tour
Follow step 8
Removing activation handle
of the Initial Operation .
The cartridge can remain attached .
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5. Handling during avalanche incident
5.1 Activation
Activate the ABS Avalanche Airbag without hesitation as soon as
you become aware of an avalanche . It is better to activate once
too often than not at all .
In order to activate pull hard and fast on the activation handle
and try to escape . The airbags are self inflating, independent of
whether you are skiing, are falling, are lying on top of the airbag
or are already captured by the moving snow . The inflated airbags
will not compromise your possible escape or avoidance of rocks
etc ., which you should always try to do .
5.2 Handling yourself during the avalanche
Once you have activated, only concentrate on your fall line . The
way that the airbags are attached on the sides of the pack allows
you to freely move your arms . Fight by swimming and pushing
away obstacles . Try to steady yourself and protect your head .
The shape of the airbags will help to protect your head without
compromising your movements and ability to see . Try to twist
out of your ski bindings . Never put your hands through the pole
straps and never use safety straps with your bindings . If possible
keep your mouth closed .
When the avalanche is coming to a halt, try to keep your upper
body and arms above the snow and free yourself from the
avalanche as soon as possible .
5.3 After the avalanche
Find a safe place . Try to help other victims if possible . Only deflate
the airbags when there is absolute certainty that there is no
longer any danger of avalanches and attach another cartridge
and activation handle immediately if possible . In case you are still
in an avalanche prone area, leave the airbags inflated .
5.4 International avalanche accident database
Please report any practical use of your ABS avalanche airbag .
The findings of all examples of practical use across the globe are
collected by the Österreichisches Kuratorium für Alpine Sicher-
heit (Austrian Alpine Safety Board) and are very important for
research and development . You can find all the key information
on our website (under
www.abs-airbag.com/en/avalanche-
accident/
) . Please fill out the online form in full and also send
the information regarding your avalanche accident to your ABS
Service Center when you send your backpack for inspection .
6. How it works
With the ABS Avalanche Airbag you have purchased a device
based on many years of experience in avalanche research, rescue
and statistics . Led by the one outstanding fact, that a predo-
minant number of all avalanche victims (skiers and snowboar-
ders) are still alive when the avalanche comes to a halt . However,
most of them are buried, are unable to free themselves and are
often not visible to the rescuer . And this is where the race with
death begins and is lost by those victims, who are totally buried
and have blocked airways .
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