BCA Float 30

I get the sense that you are trying to make a point...and an odd one at that...

Evaluate risks as you see fit...I think that avalanches seem to be the largest risk for backcountry skiers. Clearly we look for different experiences when we go into the backcountry.

Don't bring anything if you think it makes sense...or bring everything if you swing that way...

I'll take my airbag, transceiver, shovel, probe, water, and powerbars.

I get the sense that you are trying to make a point...and an odd one at that...

My point is that this statement:

To me, weight is a non-issue (I am a Duke not a Dynafit).

... is clearly incorrect. 

That is, we can always bring additional safety-related gear with us into the backcountry.  But the weight penalty can become significant for certain items.  Where to drawn the line is a difficult cost-benefit balancing act. 

bro...think about the big picture...of course you evaluate the weight/benefit ratio with everything you use...some for performance, some for safety.

My statement was in context to people not buying an airbag based on logic that the increase weight in your pack would make you less safe. This idea is absurd.

My statement was in context to people not buying an airbag based on logic that the increase weight in your pack would make you less safe.  This idea is absurd.

Agreed on that point.

My point rather is, if the weight penalty of an airbag packpack is 4.5 pounds, then alternatively what is the life-saving potential of 4.5 pounds in other emergency-related gear? Statistically, the answer is pretty much unknown, but I think it's nevertheless an interesting and useful question to ask when deciding what "just-in-case" gear to bring.

I have not seen the BCA pack, however i do have a lot of experience with the Snowpulse and I can very confidently say that it does not impare your forward vision and it is not difficult to ski and sled with it inflated. 25-30% of avalanche fatalities are due to trauma, of those 90% are head or chest truama. I think that BCA has probably produced a good pack but the truama protection provided by the Snowpulse has already saved one heliski guide's life and I would choose it any day over slight lateral vision imparment. If you are in an avalanache and you can have an airbag that protects your head and chest area that is a huge advantage. Supermanning down the hill without trauma protection is just not as good. I have a lot of experience with airbags and before i got into this skied backcountry 80+ days a year and i would not go into the backcountry now without an airbag. It is my #1 item.

new specs on the BCA site

www.backcountryaccess.com/english/produc...mingSoon.php#Float30

7.4lbs