An avalanche airbag is essentially a large, tough balloon that inflates when you pull a cord or handle. … When you pull the cord, the balloon rapidly inflates. This makes you a much larger object that will (likely) stay on top of the avalanche instead of getting sucked down into it.

Do avalanche airbags actually work?

There have been close to 400 cases so far of people getting caught with avalanche airbags (the exact amount is uncertain because many non-fatal cases likely go unreported). … In other words, there is an 81% “success rate” for those without a deployed airbag and a 97% “success rate” for those that did.

How does anti avalanche inflatable?

If you are wearing an airback pack when caught in a slide, you pull a handle attached to the shoulder strap and a pressurized cartridge or electric fan inflates the airbag, which helps to keep you near the surface of the avalanche and more visible to rescuers.