Good AVY/Avalung experience blog

Thought this post worthwhile to read.
Good first hand report.
Enjoy!
noahhowell.com/2010/01/avalanche-in-days-fork/

Keep reading the, avy bits at the end.

after reading this .. does not sound like he was buried?

after reading this .. does not sound like he was buried?

No but I thought it interesting that he says he" easily "got the mouthpiece in his mouth and presumably it stayed there as he doesn't mention it falling out.
That is the part of the avalung I have always been skeptical about... getting it in your mouth and it staying there in the turbulence.Because of that I'd pretty much considered it more useful for potential NARSID avoidance ( tree wells) but his experience seems to suggest that in some cases like his and of course that frightening video from AK( with the breathing) shows that it can be useful.

Though I wear an avalung when bc skiing, I also have thought about whether or not I could be successful in using it.  Being prepared & being able to do all the right stuff in the brief time available in a situation we all try to avoid may be impossible to sequence in our mental planning. If I'm about to ski down, and have any doubts, or thoughts about consequences, I have the mouthpiece out its pocket and extended so it is closer to my mouth.   I know from experience that'd I'd first try to ski out, then if realizing I'm going down, ditch my poles, try to rotate out of my bindings, while fighting to roll out, grab a tree, dig into the bed surface etc. In those succession of seconds I'd try to get the mouthpiece in my mouth & bite down hard.  If my conscious mind is telling me to put the mouthpiece in befoe launching off & down - then I hope I've recognized that, and backed off the line first, or have picked a very conservative line next to the trees or where an escape route is more likely - like if ski cutting.  I know if that all else failed, and I'm well in an avalanche,  and I've got the mouthpiece in, then I'd try to get one arm wrapped over my face/mouth with that hand in a death grip on my upper pack strap - both to help keep the mouthpiece in, perhaps create an airspace and protective my face.  I usually now wear a helmet during the descent as well.
But this is all a theoretical plan, pretty hard to practice - but maybe there is some wayto practice?   I suppose one could jump off onto a steep enough, stable slope and try all of the above while tumbling a bit.  Good question Scotsman - interesting to hear others experiences or thoughts, especially if they've actually had to use their avalaung.
Gerry H

i thought i would add in my 2 cents.

For the blog it sounds more like he was below the fracture of the avy and was then hit by the avy as it traveled towards him. This would give you plenty of time to get the mouth piece in and prepare a bit as he was able too.

Now for a more realistic (in my mind) avy you simply have to look at the ak video. He had the mouth piece next to his mouth and was only able to get it half way in.

In my mind for proper use it is pretty clear (again just to me) that if theres any chance than the mouthpiece should be in. telling yourself you can get it in as the slab is breaking under you and you're thinking of a million things just doesnt seem ideal.

That is the part of the avalung I have always been skeptical about... getting it in your mouth and it staying there in the turbulence.

I wear an avalung when I deem it necessary.  sometimes I wear it just to practice with it in my mouth.  It's actually not that bad.  You're supposed to have it in your mouth the whole time you're skiing, and it's not that tough to do.  I've also wiped out pretty good, fallen over in deep pow and gone tumbling all while using the avalung and found it relatively easy to keep in my mouth and easy to breathe through. Perfect practice makes perfect.

Never used/been with it in an avalanche though...knock on wood.