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Make Any Pack an Avalung Pack! | Cameron Pass Backcountry, WY United States | 02/11/09, by Swiss Miss

Avalung converted ski pack

Convert your pack to an avalung pack.

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Before this ski season, I decided to add one more avalanche mitigation tool to my arsenal: the Avalung. This breathing device has been proven for several years to increase chances of survival if buried in an avalanche. To be effective, the Avalung must be worn over all clothing so that the intake and exhale portions are in contact with the snow. For most backcountry skiers, this can be a true pain.  I already have a beacon strapped to my chest along with a pack, and if I'm patrolling, a radio harness as well. And then there's the problem of layering... baselayer and softshell on the way up, puffy at the top for the way down; then it gets warmer, back down to the baselayer or a fleece for the next lap. And so it continued all day, until I became so sick of changing it that I stopped bringing it. I figured there had to be a better way.

Black Diamond makes several extremely well-designed ski packs that have Avalungs built into them and for people who don't already have a good ski pack, these are certainly the best option. But being the shop employee and gear junkie that I am, I simply coudn't justify buying yet another pack. I also wanted the freedom to use whatever size pack I need for any given day without spending a fortune. Luckily my good friend and ski partner Patrick showed me a simple and excellent way of attaching the Avalung to any pack.
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Materials:
-an Avalung
-a backpack
-Zip ties (cheap, removable, bombproof)

Average completion time: 5 minutes
Step 1: With the way the Avalung is shaped, it needs to be attached to the left pack strap. Put on your pack and hold the Avalung in place so that the mouthpiece is in a comfortable position. Mark this spot and take your pack off.

Step 2: Use zip-ties to hold the Avalung in place. I found three to be sufficient; Patrick used five. I placed one high on the shoulder strap, another below the mouthpiece (low enough to be able to pull it out easily), and a third below the intake area. You may use a couple more to keep the excess straps bunched together (I just used a little bit of athletic tape).

Step 3: Run the extra straps from the Avalung through your pack's compression straps on the side of the pack.




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That's Our Opinion. What's Yours?

Tyler Orr wrote on 02/11/09 at 08:29:51 am pst:

That's a great cheap way to have the pack you want with the safety of an Avalung.


bj wrote on 02/11/09 at 10:25:00 am pst:

i like this because I dont always use the same pack, so all it takes is some new zip ties to transfer it over. very cool.


David theohares wrote on 02/11/09 at 10:43:01 am pst:

I wish I would go on a trip where i would need this. Great way to do a cheap avalung.


Dark Star wrote on 02/11/09 at 10:44:52 am pst:

Amazing Advice! Although it is another piece of gear hanging off one's body, it can save your life and is a great tool for the toolbelt. I've felt comfortable skiing with mine, but I will for sure use this advice rather than have it compete with my beacon and pack straps for space. Thanks!


Swiss Miss wrote on 02/11/09 at 12:20:20 am pst:

I'm glad you guys find this useful! It will work with just about any pack (the only one where it might not is the Snowpulse with the avy airbag). The strap that it is attached to feels slightly bulky at first when you put it on, but I have never noticed it while skiing. Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy skiing :)


Patricio wrote on 02/11/09 at 1:31:40 pm pst:

It's the only way that I actually end up using my avalung. It doesn't do you any good if it's in your pack all the time. This keeps it from being a waste of money.


Tele Me wrote on 02/11/09 at 11:50:37 pm pst:

Good as long as the avalaung doesn't rip off along with the tie. Avalanches can involve a lot of force.....i know you gotta hold the breathing piece in your mouth too and not have it ripped out.

I do ski with an avalung pack btw. i prefer to have it very built in already.


powdrjunky wrote on 02/12/09 at 08:04:28 am pst:

Good point Tele, I bet if you double or triple up the zip ties it would be pretty bomber.


Editors wrote on 02/12/09 at 08:08:40 am pst:

And the winner is David theohares. Congrats David. We need you to email us your full mailing address at contact@skiingthebackcountry.com.


David theohares wrote on 02/13/09 at 7:54:16 pm pst:

I just made one!


Dave Frank wrote on 10/18/09 at 07:18:37 am pst:

I wouldn't be worried about the zip ties breaking, but I would be worried about them pinching or crushing the air tube. That tube is thin corrugated plastic. The factory support is thin and continuous, without specific spots to pinch it.
Maybe it would be safer to attach it with a whole bunch of looser, wider ties, like one inch wide bomber velcro in 5-8 places?


powderjunky wrote on 10/19/09 at 09:38:39 am pst:

Right on Dave,
I was worried about that also, but i seemed to find a decent spot to zip tie it right where the tube connects to the square thingy(scientific term). It seemed to be the most durable there.


marcos wrote on 01/31/10 at 07:08:56 am pst:

I just used the same technique, and attached it to my ABS 30 liter pack, i then went ahead and tested the airbag ,just to make sure that the avalung functions with the deployed airbag, i also have RECCO reflectors, and i feel better than ever, great video, good idea, thank you very much



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