There are many perks to getting away from the resorts for a quick back country ski – fresh air, a change in the normal workout routine and a little peace, quiet and fresh tracks. But that same solitude that athletes sometimes crave in the outdoors can be dangerous if a skier needs emergency assistance but is miles from cell service or the nearest major road.
Safety tools using technology from Avalanche Float Solutions can be important for outdoor athletes.
The Resero Whistle is a panic button, emergency beacon and position tracker rolled into one.
Its hands-free system instantly connects outdoorsmen with the nearest rescue team in the case of an emergency. The whistle can be attached to a backpack, jacket or belt and when the wearer pulls down on the handle, it automatically notifies people on the devices’ pre-programmed contact list or the local emergency services. The device also uses GSM networks to ensure that the SOS signal will be sent with the person’s exact GPS coordinates and pre-entered medical data in the app.
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The same company also designed Resero XV – a compact system that is compatible with all snowboard bindings, which allows a rider to release from his or her bindings and board through a wireless signal if caught in an avalanche. It is important that boarders are able to unclip from their boards because it increases his or her chance of survival in an avalanche. If snow builds up on the surface of the board after an avalanche and the rider is attached, it could pull that person downward and pull the boarder under the surface of the snow pack.
Resero XV can counter that anchor effect of an avalanche and was developed to work in extreme conditions in partnership with ABS-Airbag. It is scheduled to be available this spring.