Black Diamond Avalung 2

I never plan to see whether it really works, but fairly light and affordable. The BD website documents one life that was definitely saved, and two other burials where it worked (although victims probably would have lived anyway). Any powder-oriented tour should require these.*****August 2009 update from my original July 2003 review: BD no longer seems to be providing a list of documented deployments, but since my review, I've read about a couple more, and the victim was always able to get the mouthpiece in, which is very reassuring. (All the victims lived, although burials were of such short duration that they probably would have lived anyway even without an Avalung.)An Avalung is also a great idea for treewell safety. The Avalung packs are definitely more convenient though. This past season, I was touring with a friend in Boise who had the pack version, while I still had a sling version. Whenever we need to add or remove a layer, I had to take off then put back on my Avalung. Okay, only several seconds at each transition, but it's still somewhat of a bother. The flip side is that when we've met up for early summer skiing, he still has to bring his integrated Avalung along with him. November 2009 update: I somehow completely missed a reference in a TAR article last year to a failed deployment, with the survivor noting how the Avalung mouthpiece was torn out of his mouth.

I'm very greatful I haven't had to actually use it other than wear it. This thing is the real deal and has gone through tons of testing to make sure it actually works. And it does. This is no substitute for proper training and avalanche safety, but in the event of being caught in an avy, this can save your life. The average burial victim has about 15 minutes, before their chances of survival drops dramatically. With this thing on, worn properly and used properly you time frame is increased to about 45 minutes. It makes it possible to breathe while buried, and prevents CO2 poisoning, a big factor for those who are caught and able to breathe. This thing is the real deal and a worthy investment. Even if you never have to actually use it, isn't your life worth more than $130.

So everyone knows that the Avalung will help you breathe longer buried in an avalanche. What some people fail to realize, though, is that it can help reduce chances of NARSED as well. Non Avalanche Related Snow Emergent Death has claimed several lives, including last year at Alta. Make sure you're with a partner, carry a beacon, probe, shovel, and know how to use them all. Add the Avalung to your mandatory list of five. As Sage mentioned, though, do not let the Avalung become a factor in your judgement. Wearing a bullet-proof vest doesn't mean you won't get shot in the head. As far as sizing goes, the 2 options are more like SM-L and XL. I'm 6' and 160lbs, I got the M/L and it's too big when I don't have all my layers on.

Stopping my husband from dropping cliffs or shooting a line is impossible. While there are large risks at stake, this piece of equipment gives me a little peace of mind. I bought him an avalung for Christmas and I thought it was very reasonably priced. He tells me it doesn't bother him or gets in his way while he rides. I have seen too much footage of avalanches and close calls for my husband and his friends. The way I look at it is, why WOULDN'T you want an extra piece of equipment to increase your chance of survival? He'll never stop riding until his body won't let him anymore, so in the mean time...he needs to have ALL of the stuff to bring him home.

The avalung is a great tool to help increase your chances of survival if caught in a avalanche. however, it should not be involved in a decisions making situation,ie; "well, this snow pack looks sketchy but Ive got my avalung so.. lets go". building it into the pack is a great way to decrease this impulse.
Unfortunately BD will not license the lung to other pack manufactures, or sell a version that could be attached to a existing backpack in an effort to direct consumers to buy their pack. Good marketing, but It would be a better gift to the backcountry community to offer it in multiple ways.
It is another great tool to have in the mountains and is a great innovation.

Like others here have written, I hope never to find out if it actually works, but as a piece of extra insurance, it is certainly easy to haul along with you. It is light, fits easily over my jacket without getting in the way, and I was still able to ski hard and jump around lots with the mouthpiece situated inches from my lips. At the end of each run, there it was still ready for an immediate snatch with the teeth. And it didn't look goofy in the pictures. More importantly, if it saves my life someday, it'll be worth every cent, of course.

Luckily, I haven't had to use this for what it's intended to be used for, but I have brought it out several times. It's very comfortable, lightweight, and seemingly easy to use. The mouthpiece stays stable when it's out, and it feels like it would be fairly easy to locate quickly in the event of a slide. I don't even notice when I'm skinning/ hiking when the mouthpiece is put away. Hopefully I'll never have to "use" my avalung, but a 100 bucks is well worth it for the extra moments it gives my crew to dig me out if I do get buried.

I was in my first slide this winter on a mellow, what seemed stable, slope in the Alta, Utah backcountry. I didn't have an Avalung. I luckily didn't get buried - but if I had, I would have been in trouble. Immediately after, I thought "why in the hell don't I have an Avalung?" Exactly. I can't say much more than that because I haven't had to use it, but I've heard amazing things from people like Sage/Jeremy - and my buddy Chris Cardello was buried in an avalanche in Alaska wearing a helmet camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C2eWRvZgKU Amazing video. Get an Avalung.

Anything you can do to increase your chances of survival in an avalanche seems like a good idea to me. I've been a long time user and supporter of the Avalung, and I advise anyone skiing in avalanche terrain to use it as well. With a few modifications, I've seamlessly integrated the Avalung into a few different DaKine backpacks and Im sure you could do the same with others. As stated below, the Avalung is no substitute for good, thoughtful decision making while skiing in avalanche terrain. Use your Head, so you don't have to use your Avalung!!!

I live in the East but CAT ski in British Columbia. I just returned from a my first trip with the Black Diamond Avalung. I found that it was easy to wear after you got used to it and added to your sense of security should there be a slide. Whether you will get your mouth around the mouthpiece in time is an issue but hopefully you will never have to. If you do, I believe you will have an advantage. You do forget you have it on since it is so light.

I was given an Avalung for Christmas and whilst I haven't been in the unfortunate position of having to use it for real, I have one slight concern as to what would happen if I ever did. No-one in their reviews has mentioned this (but I have seen it on other boards so I know it's not just my solitary avalung); it makes a sound as if you are blowing a trumpet. I can handle making some noise given it's life-saving capabilities so I'm not complaining about that, but I do query whether the reverberations in the exchange chamber affect your ability to breathe successfully with it. I have tried practising breathing with it and it reverberates both breathing in and out, and I feel as though I am struggling to get a full breath through it. You're advised to breathe slowly and calmly but the only way I get a breathful of air is to practically hyperventilate into it. I would be interested to hear whether anyone else has come across this issue and if there's a "fix" for it. I certainly won't stop taking it out with me, but I'd like to feel more reassured it's a working and useful piece of kit so I can enthuse as much as everyone else.

Sad to say that by beloved stand alone avalung stays at home now due to the amazing BD packs with the integrated avalung. I highly recommend the integrated version as I am more likely to have it on me when it counts.