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Airbags are a hot topic in the snowsports industry, and
Mammut is introducing an evolution of its Snowpulse system at next week’s
that it’s calling a new category in the airbag
market—protective airbags.

The new Snowpulse PAS (protective airbag system) airbags offer trauma protection not
currently available from other airbags. In forested and rocky terrain, which
means most places in North America, many skiers die from trauma during a slide, not
suffocation from being buried. Mechanical trauma causes approximately 15 to 32 percent of
avalanche deaths depending on location and which study you’re referencing.
Because of its extended neck wrapping bag, an avy victim wearing one of
Mammut’s Snowpulse PAS packs has additional chest, neck, and head protection
from impacts, better neck stabilization in a slide, and a greater chance of
coming to rest with his head on top of the snow when a slide has finally settled.

In the PAS bags, the
main airbag volume is in front of and above your head. That means when you come
to rest in an avalanche wearing this pack, your head and face will typically be
on top of the avalanche with your body in a sitting position, back downslope.

As with system, the PAS mechanism is
removable and transferable between different PAS packs, ranging from 15-35
liters. The PAS systems weigh a couple of ounces more that the RAS systems, but
carry lighter thanks to flexible shoulder straps and an adjustable back length.

Both Snowpulse RAS
and Snowpulse PAS systems use the same trigger mechanism, trigger
handle and cable, Venturi valve, Airbag material, and quality Swiss workmanship.
Here’s a quick comparison between the two systems:

Available fall 2013, $840-$950; .

—Berne Broudy