Posted on: 2013-10-11 21:24:06 by davidof

Black Diamond Jet Force Airbag

Ryan Guess of Black Diamond equipment introduces the Black Diamond Jet Force Halo avalanche airbag. The main difference with this backpack is that it is an electric fan based system running off a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery.

It can be recharged from a wall plug. It can be deployed more than once on a charge. 9 seconds to inflate the 200 liter bag. It is certainly one of the more innovative systems to hit the market in recent years. It appears to be more technologically complex than gas cannister systems and there are obvious questions about batteries at low temperatures. You wouldn't want a 60 amp battery to short out near your butt either. Bag deflates after 3 minutes which other airbags also do which leaves an air pocket if you are buried.

As ever, if you are in the market for safety gear, let other people test it for a season or two before buying.

It looks like it would be good for heliski and guided off piste skiing type operations.


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