News + Trends

Increases the chance of survival for avalanche victims: The SBX air supply system from Safeback

9.12.2022

Translation: machine translated

Safeback from Norway has developed a novel safety technology for avalanche accidents. The world's first active air supply system helps people to continue breathing even under masses of snow without the need for a mouthpiece. This significantly increases the chances of survival.

According to the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, only about every second person buried by an avalanche survives (head in the snow). The most common cause of death of completely buried persons is suffocation, as the victim often has no or only a small respiratory cavity. Therefore, the chance of survival in such a case decreases significantly after only 15 minutes. A company from Norway has therefore developed a new type of safety technology for avalanche accidents.

Safeback SBX is the world's first active air supply system that helps people to continue breathing under snow masses without the need for a mouthpiece. The system uses the air in the snowpack for the buried person by continuously drawing it in through an inlet in the backpack and releasing it through tubes in the shoulder straps. The SBX is activated with a handle on the shoulder harness and delivers breathing air for 90 minutes. The entire system, including the batteries, weighs only about 500 grams.

Safeback SBX aus Norwegen: Zwei unscheinbare Luftschläuche sollten die Überlebenschancen von Lawinenopfern deutlich erhöhen.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

90 instead of 15 minutes can make the difference between life and death

According to André Mjølhus, co-founder and CTO of Safeback, the SBX system can provide fresh air to the nose and mouth as long as they are within 25 centimetres of one of the vents on the shoulders. During the five-year development process, numerous tests were conducted with the SBX in different weather and snow conditions. The Norwegian Army has also been involved in these tests.

According to Mjølhus, the system can be integrated into freeride and avalanche backpacks from various manufacturers. However, it is only approved for use in appropriately certified backpacks: The free flow of air through the system to the breathing zone must be guaranteed. In addition, the SBX and its parts must be protected from damage and adequately secured against the forces of an avalanche.

Die Steuereinheit des Safeback SBX hat in etwa die Grösse einer Powerbank.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

The device is reusable. It is powered by six lithium batteries that provide high performance even at low temperatures. The blower and the electronics that control it are designed to provide air to the breathing zone of the spill victim for as long as possible. With a full battery charge, the Safeback SBX runs at minus 30 degrees Celsius for about 90 minutes, according to André Mjølhus.

This new safety technology for avalanche accidents is already patented in Norway and has patents pending in the EU, the USA, Canada and Japan. The Safeback SBX is scheduled to be launched in the 2023/24 winter season and will cost between CHF 600 and CHF 800, depending on the certified backpack model.

Steuereinheit und Luftschläuche des SBX. Die Schläuche werden an den Rucksackgurten befestigt, der T-förmige Griff aktiviert das System.
Source: Safeback

Titelfoto: Patrick Bardelli

76 people like this article

Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

News + Trends

From the latest iPhone to the return of 80s fashion. The editorial team will help you make sense of it all.

Show all

18 comments

later

Your data. Your choice.

Search

Increases the chance of survival for avalanche victims: The SBX air supply system from Safeback

90 instead of 15 minutes can make the difference between life and death

18 comments

Top 10 categories

Go to

18 comments

Galaxus Deal of the day