Does the world of backcountry skiing need another safety device? A startup from Bergen, Norway, seems to think so.
Since a preliminary presentation of research at the International Committee for Alpine Rescue (ICAR), I’ve heard from colleagues and marketers about this new avalanche safety tool, the Safeback SBX. There is some increasing (and somewhat tenaciously promoted) hype building about this product as it comes to market, and though the thought of debating the addition of another tool to our armamentarium after the airbag pack makes me want to vomit, I think this one worthy of consideration.
What is the Safeback SBX? In short, it’s a manually-triggered fan system that can be integrated into a backpack or vest that directs a flow of fresh air around a rider’s face during an avalanche burial. Running on 6 lithium AA batteries, it promises a 90-minute run time and aims to prolong the time a user can be buried before succumbing to asphyxia. The stated weight is 520g, with a volume of 0.75L in the pack’s body. The device is intended to be integrated by manufacturers into new pack designs, already available through Bergans of Norway, but cannot be added as an aftermarket feature to existing packs.
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