About ABS
The backcountry is no place to mess around as deadly avalanches may strike at
any time. Safety is never to be overlooked, because at any moment your life may
depend upon the thoroughness of your preparation and the quality of your equipment.
ABS uses their past as a source of knowledge and experience in order to give your
future the greatest advantage. Burial prevention and avalanche survival is what
ABS focuses on and they have taken the reigns atop the industry as the most efficient
providers of backcountry safety gear. Providing every skier and snowboarder who
ventures off piste with the most optimized emergency equipment is the goal of
ABS. Their ongoing commitment to development and implementation of their findings
in the field give you the best shot at always returning from every adventure.
It all began back in the 1970s when a German forest ranger got caught in an avalanche.
His only reason for survival was attributed to the game he had hoisted on his
shoulders, because his increased total mass kept him on the snow’s surface.
Experiments with balloons and voluminous canisters soon followed and the concept
for an avalanche airbag was formed.
By 1980, after a run-in with an avalanche of his own, Peter Aschauer acquired
a patent for the product and founded ABS. His goal was to create a system that
enables those caught in an avalanche to gain a substantial amount of volume in
a matter of seconds that wouldn’t obstruct their ability to retain movement.
Aschauer presented his first functional airbag system in 1985 at an ISPO exhibition
to mixed reactions. Preventing burial in order to survive an avalanche had not
been recognized to be the most crucial factor. But Peter never gave up as he continued
enhancing ABS backpacks and spreading his knowledge of avalanche survival. After
tirelessly promoting his product and avalanche safety, along with redesigning
ABS backcountry gear several times, the mid nineties finally brought Aschauer
the recognition and respect his work deserved.
Now, sold all over the world, ABS backpacks feature a two-bag system base unit
with multiple zip-on attachments available. The Vario and Powder lines have compartments
for quick access to your probe and shovel, while also including international
emergency numbers on an SOS label. ABS backcountry gear boasts a 97% survival
rate, which is the highest out of all comparable systems. By providing dynamic
lift, maximum visibility and easy to use functionality, ABS backpacks have become
a necessity for all those who dare to venture into avalanche territory.
The technology, engineering and experience poured into each of their products
is unparalleled by any other. ABS burial prevention systems provide you with a
way to fend of one of nature’s most sinister attacks.
