Northern Escape Heliski Announces Renewed Commitment to Use of The Avalanche Airbag Backpack in Heliski Operations

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 23, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Renowned helicopter skiing operator, Northern Escape Heliskiing, has recently announced their renewed commitment to the use of The Avalanche Airbag Backpack or Avalanche Flotation Device (AFD) in addition to the on-going use of avalanche transceivers as part of their risk management program for guides and guests.

The Avalanche Airbag Backpack or Avalanche Flotation Device (AFD) has been around for many years, but only recently have they been incorporated into commercial heli-skiing operations. There are many reasons for this, but one of the single most important is that the Ministry of Transport has only recently approved the cylinders for transport in commercial aircraft, i.e. helicopters.

John Forrest, General Manager of Northern Escape Heliskiing, reports, "Recently I was questioning a renowned engineer that designed the avalanche transceivers we use, the BarryVox Pulse, about the "new" avalanche airbag backpacks or AFD's and the efficacy of their use in the heliskiing industry. His answer astounded me as he is responsible for designing one of the most sophisticated avalanche transceivers on the market; he said "if I had a choice of wearing only a transceiver or only an AFD, I would choose the AFD". That's a very strong statement and I had to think about it for a minute, putting aside my 30+ years of indoctrination with transceivers, before I could see his point. One device, the transceiver, helps you be located if you're buried in an avalanche and the other, the AFD, decrease your chances of being buried if you're caught in an avalanche."

Northern Escape Heli-Skiing has been including AFD's, the Snow Pulse Airbags, as part of their risk management program for two years now and they are very happy with the results. Heliski guests are issued a transceiver and an AFD which also carries a shovel and probe. Each group also carries a handheld radio to communicate with guides and pilots. They receive instruction and practice the use of each prior to skiing/riding.

About Northern Escape Heli-Skiing
After more than 20 years in the Heli Skiing and Heli Boarding industry, heli-ski enthusiasts have finally found the ultimate area. Nowhere else on earth does the combination of varied terrain, abundance of deep dry powder snow, vastness of skiing/boarding area, ease of access, and exceptional lodging come together as it does at Northern Escape Heli-Skiing. Nestled in Northern British Columbia's famous Skeena Mountains and centered in the picturesque town of Terrace, they offer an intimate Heli-Skiing/Boarding experience that will make for lasting memories.

Website: http://www.neheliski.com

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