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Avalanche Survival Airbags

The Ortovox Avabag can Save Hikers' Lives During Avalanches

— February 2, 2017 — Lifestyle
When hiking or skiing in remote mountain locales, avalanches are an ever-present threat, and the Ortovox Avabag could be the product that saves hikers lives if such a disaster strikes. The backpack uses a specially designed airbag and an interesting principle of physics to keep those caught in an avalanche at the top of the snow pile, preventing them from getting buried.

The Ortovox Avabag has plenty of room for gear, but it also contains an inflatable airbag and a small compressed gas canister. If an avalanche strikes, the wearer pulls a cord in the back of the bag to expand the airbag.

This system increases wearers' chances of avalanche survival thanks to a physical principle called granular convection, better known as the Brazil nut effect. In any fluid that consists of loose particles, the biggest particles will naturally rise to the top when the fluid is agitated (is the same way that Brazil nuts tend to stay at the top of mixed nut bowls.) The Ortovox Avabag increases its wearer's volume when expanded, thus causing them to stay at the top of the snow.
Trend Themes
1. Avalanche Survival Airbags - The use of specialized airbags in backpacks can improve avalanche survival rates by keeping hikers at the top of the snow pile.
2. Granular Convection - Applying the principle of granular convection, also known as the Brazil nut effect, can lead to innovative solutions for disaster prevention and survival.
3. Outdoor Safety Gear - There is a growing market for innovative outdoor safety gear, such as the Ortovox Avabag, that can protect adventurers from natural disasters like avalanches.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Recreation - The outdoor recreation industry can benefit from incorporating avalanche survival airbags into their product offerings, providing a crucial safety feature for hikers and skiers.
2. Sporting Goods - Manufacturers in the sporting goods industry have an opportunity to create and promote innovative outdoor safety gear, like the Ortovox Avabag, to enhance the safety and experience of outdoor enthusiasts.
3. Disaster Preparedness - The disaster preparedness industry can explore the use of granular convection principles in designing and developing innovative solutions for disaster prevention and survival.
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