Deployed Airbag Saves Snowboarder In Avalanche

by Fraser
Updated:

Amazing snowboarding video of Meesh Hytner who was saved by deploying an airbag as she was caught up in a terrifying avalanche this week in the Colorado mountains.

But Meesh Hytner, believes her life was saved when she was able to deploy an airbag, so she could remain on the surface of the giant slab as it broke out above her. It meant she could stay upright with her back and feet downhill for the entirety of the slide.

Backcountry Access said: ‘The avalanche danger for the Vail-Summit zone was considerable that day on all aspects and elevations, with human-triggered avalanches likely. Meesh and company had snowmobiled up to snowboard the northeast faces, some of which had already slid.’

The slide was one of 17 natural and human-triggered avalanches recorded throughout last week and into the early part of this week in the Vail and Summit Zone, according to Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).

The airbag Ms Hytner used comes in a backpack and features ‘external shovel and probe pockets, diagonal ski carrying system, helmet carry system, waist belt pockets, lined goggle pocket, and a hydration sleeve.’

Here at snowboardingdays.com we applaud anything that improves snowboarding safety, especially snowboarding in the back country. We hope to see more of these airbags being used by snowboarders now.

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