What is it exactly that the ABS is able to do?
The ABS keeps you on the surface in case of a running avalanche. It prevents you from getting buried under the snow mass. It prevents complete burial. Most of the avalanches in which alpine skiers can get caught are running avalanches and they are mostly released by the skiers themselves. Most avalanche victims do survive the actual fall in the avalanche. However, approximately half of these victims are completely submerged. Three out of four (75%) of the completely buried victims have a blocked airway or are unable to breath properly due to the enormous pressure on their chest. In a situation like this the victim will survive for only a few minutes. After a maximum of fifteen minutes the chances of survival drop drastically. The Avalanche Airbag prevents the burial. The avalanche will drag you with it but you will stay on the surface and therefore have the best chance to survive.
