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A newly launched avalanche airbag from Black Diamond is claiming an industry first as it uses’s jet-fan inflation rather than compressed air.
The company says that jet-fan inflation is a breakthrough system that draws air from an unlimited source – the atmosphere. The result is that the pack is stable, can be used more than once and doesn’t cause issues when carried on planes.
The compact lithium-ion battery powered fan can inflate a 200 litre bag in just 3.5 seconds, followed by top-up bursts. The bag also carries out self diagnosis with LED lights indicating it is functioning correctly.
Three minutes after it has inflated the bag automatically deflates to create an air pocket to help survival and rescue.
The bag comes in 11, 28 and 40 litre sizes and is stocked by Snow & Rock, Ellie Brigham and other leading snowsports retailers.