Anybody own a Dynafit ABS system?

Rick, I was following the link you provided and came across a very interesting page titled "Known Documented Cases of Avalanche Accidents with the ABS-Avalanche Air Bag System". Here's the link for it:<br> www.akxtreme.net/Stats.htm

Well, I did it. Went over to Mt. Constance and ordered one (the "Plus".) Comes with an extra cylinder so that if you have to trigger it, you'll still have a workable system until you buy another spare. Dynafit also has a deal where you pay a $100 deposit, they send you a test cylinder, you use it to shoot the system once, mail the cylinder back, and they refund the $100. I took them up on that.<br><br>When I was 15 and starting to climb rocks in Colorado, I stretched my finances mightily to buy a rope. Glad I did. I figure this is similar. Now I'm not totally dependent upon my questionable ability to predict whether a slope with slide or not.<br><br>Actually, the only thing I'm regretting about this decision is that now I'll always have to ski with a pack. I've been skiing with just a large fanny pack for years.

The ABS system intrigues me as well. Since we're going to the alps in April, I'm planning on checking out the prices. I've seen the Model Plus for 400 euros on at least one website. At that price I'm willing to go for it.

I've been following the avy related threads on TT for a while now. Very interesing and sometimes entertaining reading. It's good to see there's some agreement about the avy order of operations: (1) training (2) tools (3) good decisions (4) more training. <br><br>To anyone contemplating spending the money on the ABS, I would first ask if they've spent the same amount of money/time on training. Technology is cool, but I don't think it's a substitute for making educated decisions. <br><br>For what it's worth, I would never compare a climbing rope to an ABS. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Yvon Chouinard summed it up well when he referred to the 10 Essentials as the "10 impediments." No amount of gear will prevent poor decision making.<br><br>

I've followed those same threads. I must admit it's starting to annoy me (restrainted language) when people make assumptions that because someone is interested in or buys a safety device, somehow this signals that they don't have appropriate training or will now take additional risks. IMHO, it's really a pretty stupid broad stroke to paint. I willing to bet MANY trained, experienced skiers will get ABS's if the price was more reasonable.<br><br>I'm absolute certain wearing an ABS (or avalung) won't change my decision making. Hopefully I'd never have to use it and it would just contribute to my fitness by carrying extra weight. But if it gives my wife, kids and I some added assurances, it's worth it.

I agree, russ.<br>I suspect few of the ABS buyers are of the "Hey, Y'all Watch This!" mentality.<br>So Rick, Have you recieved your Plus yet?<br>If so, how do you like it?<br>Have you had it out yet?<br>What was the demo inflation like?<br>Give a report on it first chance you get, ok?