Ortovox Sportartikel GmbH, manufacturers of the world’s best snow safety products, is proud announce they have entered a licensing partnership for the use of the Abs- Inside system for backpacks.

Beginning in 2013, Ortovox will be adding their own avalanche backpack to their arsenal of avalanche emergency equipment. As the most recognized name in avalanche safety since 1980, Ortovox has been constantly evolving its product line and snow safety system to include avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes, backpacks and now backpacks with avalanche-specific safety technology.

Ortovox backpacks have been an industry leader in the winter sports scene for 27 years and are characterized by their optimum quality, functional design and focus on safety.

The new licensing agreement enables Munich-based Ortovox to integrate the ABS system into their own backpacks, further developing safety concepts with an eye on comfort and fit.

In the event of an avalanche, the ABS system helps improve active avalanche safety through the activation of the deployment handle installed on the backpack carrier system. A pressurized cartridge is pierced and gas escapes, inflating two integrated airbags in a matter of seconds. Although the airbags cannot prevent victims from being swept along by the avalanche, they help keep them on top of the snow and preventing death by suffocation, the main cause of death in avalanche accidents.