What Looks Like A Normal Jacket Could Save Your Life
DENVER (CBS4) - A Denver man has come up with his own avalanche airbag device he says is different than others on the market, and the change in design could get more people to wear avalanche airbags.
There's no question that the backcountry is the ultimate playground, but it has a very dangerous side.
"Technology in terms of backcountry is booming right now," said Wes Worthington, who works with SubQ, a Denver-based company that is helping outfit backcountry users with airbag-equipped jackets, a first-of-its-kind move.
"It's an integration; we're basically taking two things and putting them into one," Worthington said.
Airbags usually come inside a backpack. The aSubQ's airbag jacket looks just like a normal jacket, and that's why people who use the jacket really enjoy it. It's light weight and comfortable. It has a pull-cord on the front left breast area that can be pulled to inflate two airbags if caught in an avalanche.
The hope is more skiers and snowboarders will start using airbags since they are built into the jacket.
Along with the airbags, avalanche rescue crews say backcountry users should always have a shovel, probe and avalanche beacons with them.
LINK: SubQ Avalanche Airbag Jacket | Colorado Avalanche Information Center
