January 17, 2009
Avalung Avalanche Video
Black Diamond has posted a POV video of skier Chris Cardello getting caught and buried in an avalanche in Haines, Alaska. Chris was wearing a Black Diamond Avalung at the time, and was able to use it to breathe beneath the snow. Others in Chris' party found and dug him out in a speedy five minutes—though watching the video, five minutes seems a long time indeed.
We don't really have good data on how effective a survival tool the Avalung actually is, but there are a few confirmed incidents like these in which people were able to use them successfully in an actual burial. Avalungs seem especially appropriate for those who are placing themselves at higher than normal risk. Ie, heliskiers, film skiers, or rescue professionals. One thing to take away from this video: notice how fast things go bad from the appearance of the first fracture lines. The situation was beyond the skiers control in a matter of seconds.more info at Black Diamond
finder's fee: Lou at Wild Snow
One Response to “Avalung Avalanche Video”
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skiing the backcountry says:
January 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Great video. Man avalanches are scary! I am surprised that head cam was able to stay on!
