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Specifically designed low-altitude parachutes are effective at a few hundred feet. No, it won't save you at extreme low altitudes and velocities, but it's certainly better than nothing.

To quote a friend describing the first of the micro-nuts (rock climbing protection equipment), "they might not stop you, but they'll sure as hell slow you down!".

With strengths (breaking loads) from 2 to 6 kN, you don't need to fall very far for a nicro-nut to pull. But in doing so, it absorbs a considerable amount of energy. And the next one does too. It's not nice, but it really does slow you down.

The mouthpiece idea has been around for a while in the form of the Avalung http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/avalung/avalung-ii .The idea is sound, but I think putting it into action would be a bit dicey.a) Getting it into your mouth before being swept away/while being swept away.b) Keeping it in your mouth while being swept away.Avalanches tend to thrash you around a bit, and they also tend to be a bit stronger than you. Probably if you got a good bite on it before things really got carri

The mouthpiece idea has been around for a while in the form of the Avalung http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/avalung/avalung-ii .The idea is sound, but I think putting it into action would be a bit dicey.a) Getting it into your mouth before being swept away/while being swept away.b) Keeping it in your mouth while being swept away.Avalanches tend to thrash you around a bit, and they also tend to be a bit stronger than you. Probably if you got a good bite on it before things really got carri

The mouthpiece idea has been around for a while in the form of the Avalung http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/avalung/avalung-ii .The idea is sound, but I think putting it into action would be a bit dicey.a) Getting it into your mouth before being swept away/while being swept away.b) Keeping it in your mouth while being swept away.Avalanches tend to thrash you around a bit, and they also tend to be a bit stronger than you. Probably if you got a good bite on it before things really got carri

The mouthpiece idea has been around for a while in the form of the Avalung http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/avalung/avalung-ii.

The idea is sound, but I think putting it into action would be a bit dicey.
a) Getting it into your mouth before being swept away/while being swept away.
b) Keeping it in your mouth while being swept away.

Avalanches tend to thrash you around a bit, and they also tend to be a bit stronger than you. Probably if you got a good bite on it before things really got carried away you'd be fine? Perhaps in the case of the AvaJacket the air cousin would help shield your mouthpiece from blows?

As for the airbag system. It looks neat, but also cumbersome. I'd use it if it didn't interfere more than a regular jacket collar does, and also provided it didn't go off at random times.

Helmets protect your head also, and I already wear one of those, so that just leaves the neck thing I guess.

I certainly agree that, aside from the translation, it's not really that funny or entertaining in an idle sort of way.

As an after thought, I'm not sure how I feel about the compressed air canister. It would probably have to be metal or hard plastic. I often carry a metal flask of rum with me when I'm snowboarding. Last year I fell on it while it was in my breast pocket and I can assure you, it was NOT a comfortable thing to land on! If the above video, the canister is shown to be in a very similar rib-smashing position.

-hps

I think maybe they should rethink the name of the material ("Dynema SB61")when/if it goes into production.