Increases the chance of survival for avalanche victims: The SBX air supply system from Safeback
Safeback from Norway has developed a novel safety technology for avalanche accidents. The world's first active air supply system helps people to continue breathing even under masses of snow without the need for a mouthpiece. This significantly increases the chances of survival.
According to the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, only about every second person buried by an avalanche survives (head in the snow). The most common cause of death of completely buried persons is suffocation, as the victim often has no or only a small respiratory cavity. Therefore, the chance of survival in such a case decreases significantly after only 15 minutes. A company from Norway has therefore developed a new type of safety technology for avalanche accidents.
Safeback SBX is the world's first active air supply system that helps people to continue breathing under snow masses without the need for a mouthpiece. The system uses the air in the snowpack for the buried person by continuously drawing it in through an inlet in the backpack and releasing it through tubes in the shoulder straps. The SBX is activated with a handle on the shoulder harness and delivers breathing air for 90 minutes. The entire system, including the batteries, weighs only about 500 grams.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
90 instead of 15 minutes can make the difference between life and death
According to André Mjølhus, co-founder and CTO of Safeback, the SBX system can provide fresh air to the nose and mouth as long as they are within 25 centimetres of one of the vents on the shoulders. During the five-year development process, numerous tests were conducted with the SBX in different weather and snow conditions. The Norwegian Army has also been involved in these tests.
According to Mjølhus, the system can be integrated into freeride and avalanche backpacks from various manufacturers. However, it is only approved for use in appropriately certified backpacks: The free flow of air through the system to the breathing zone must be guaranteed. In addition, the SBX and its parts must be protected from damage and adequately secured against the forces of an avalanche.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
The device is reusable. It is powered by six lithium batteries that provide high performance even at low temperatures. The blower and the electronics that control it are designed to provide air to the breathing zone of the spill victim for as long as possible. With a full battery charge, the Safeback SBX runs at minus 30 degrees Celsius for about 90 minutes, according to André Mjølhus.
This new safety technology for avalanche accidents is already patented in Norway and has patents pending in the EU, the USA, Canada and Japan. The Safeback SBX is scheduled to be launched in the 2023/24 winter season and will cost between CHF 600 and CHF 800, depending on the certified backpack model.
Source: Safeback
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