The Valais Public Minister has warned users of lighweight avalanche airbags to check their sacks following an investigation into the death of a High Mountain Guide in January,2021 in Siviez. The guide was wearing a Mammut Airbag 3.0 Light Protection 2017 model at time of the incident.
On January 23, 2021, an avalanche occurred in the Siviez/Nendaz region taking a 56 year old guide and one of his clients. The guide was found buried with his rucksack but the airbag was found downstream of the avalanche area. At the time of the avalanche, which occured in the Chassoure sector at 2700 meters altitude, the guide was accompanied by three clients.
The investigation tested bags of the same model and found they could be torn off too easily. The bags were tested according to the manufacturers instructions but the 2017 model no longer complies with European standards. The Swiss authorities warned that the resitance of the fastners decreases with use and also exposure to the elements. It is possible that other models, particuarly lightweight variants, could also be affected. However no direct link could be made between the death of the guide and the defects in the airbag - the guide may have died even with a fully functioning sack.
Mammut have disputed the claims saying the testing laboratory is unofficial and the claims are misleading and unfairly discredit the brand. Mammut were not informed of the tests and say they "do not understand the results" and note that no legal action is being taken on the results. They state "Mammut airbags have passed the tests established worldwide and are far superior to the legal requirements".