Test your gear

Dooitorbust · Oct 17, 2019

Here is prime example of why you need to test fire your bag every single season. I’ve owned this bag a very long time, test fired it successfully every season and always repacked it the same way. This is the first time I’ve had a misfire. One bag deployed properly, the other, inside the pack. The pouches inside the the pack that store the bags when not in use are destroyed, along with ripped seams. It was probably a packing error on my part, but either way, I think I’ll be shopping for a bag at the sled show this weekend.
I’m open to suggestions from everything to packs to vests.

NoBrakes! · Oct 17, 2019

That happened to a friend of mine in a slide. Same bag too, ABS sent him a new one for free. I have had good luck with the snowpulse bags, I like the PAS system.

norona · Oct 17, 2019

It is important when testing your bag before test firing that you open the pockets and then close them, you should do this through the season as well. The velcro could have been pushed together while sitting all summer or a few other scenario's. It is a rare but sucks it happened. If you contact the guys in Montreal i am sure they will be helpful, they are on facebook. Also it is the design of abs that is smart, one bag is enough to float a full human in a slide, it is why they have two. If you decide you like the BCA pro mtn vest I have a new one in l/xl with new filled canister for 800.00

Dooitorbust · Oct 17, 2019

norona said:
It is important when testing your bag before test firing that you open the pockets and then close them, you should do this through the season as well. The velcro could have been pushed together while sitting all summer or a few other scenario's. It is a rare but sucks it happened. If you contact the guys in Montreal i am sure they will be helpful, they are on facebook. Also it is the design of abs that is smart, one bag is enough to float a full human in a slide, it is why they have two. If you decide you like the BCA pro mtn vest I have a new one in l/xl with new filled canister for 800.00

I don’t have any contact info for Montreal, but I emailed ABS service, just from what I found on google. Any chance you have their info?

Dooitorbust · Oct 17, 2019

Aaaand if I would have looked a little further, I would have found the Montreal contact info.. Sent it to them as well.

06 Dragon · Oct 18, 2019

I actually had one not fully deploy, actually implode on a pre season test. It tore up the pack in a few locations and just about dislocated my shoulder. I agree on the open up and repack, then test fire them. Sent it back to the manufacture and they replaced the bag with a new one plus a current model.

Dooitorbust · Oct 19, 2019

I received an email from ABS in Montreal, and they’re going to replace my bag. All I have to do is cover shipping. That is pretty impressive service if you ask me. Once I’m home from the sled show in Edmonton, I’ll get that ball rolling!

Frankenytro · Oct 19, 2019

this is the kind of customer service we should expect... unfortunately it is few and far between to be seen. Congrats, and a big thumbs up to ABS from me! (Even though I sport BCA)

Dooitorbust said:
I received an email from ABS in Montreal, and they’re going to replace my bag. All I have to do is cover shipping. That is pretty impressive service if you ask me. Once I’m home from the sled show in Edmonton, I’ll get that ball rolling!

Dooitorbust · Oct 29, 2019

Little update. I called ABS today as I received another email saying that my bag is ready to be shipped, and they needed some payment info.
I had asked about possibly getting a larger zip on storage bag even if I had to pay for it, and they threw it in at 50% off. I can’t say enough good things about the service I’ve received.

SUMMIT TREE · Nov 2, 2019

Good to hear about the awesome service u got! Refreshing from the usual BS that seems to be the norm these days.
Ive always been torn on the test firing of my bag. Just because I test fire it successfully in my living room, then repack it, and head out sledding, how can you be sure it will work when it really needs too? Perhaps I successfully test it every year for 5 years and on the sixth pull, after successfully testing it before heading out, during a slide its a failed deployment? Granted its a way to ensure bags are ok, hold air and all that kinda stuff. Its just that everything works every time... up until it doesn’t.

Dooitorbust · Nov 2, 2019

SUMMIT TREE said:
Good to hear about the awesome service u got! Refreshing from the usual BS that seems to be the norm these days.
Ive always been torn on the test firing of my bag. Just because I test fire it successfully in my living room, then repack it, and head out sledding, how can you be sure it will work when it really needs too? Perhaps I successfully test it every year for 5 years and on the sixth pull, after successfully testing it before heading out, during a slide its a failed deployment? Granted its a way to ensure bags are ok, hold air and all that kinda stuff. Its just that everything works every time... up until it doesnâ€™t.

Agreed. I have always test fired my bag the same way every year. Loaded with everything I usually ride with, as if I were on the mountain. I guess it gives me as close to “real world” results as I can get.

Even after this, I will continue to test fire my bag annually, and check everything over. At the end of the day, it’s just PPE, and PPE is the last line of defense. Safest bet is to not put myself in a situation where I’ll need it. If I ever do, at least I know I’ve done all I can do to ensure a proper deployment.

Dooitorbust · Nov 6, 2019

My bag showed up the other day! Let it snow!

Bnorth · Nov 6, 2019

really nice to see how ABS took care of you.

lilduke · Nov 6, 2019

yeah no doubt. I emailed bca about some bag issues and they never even got back to me....

Dooitorbust · Nov 6, 2019

Bnorth said:
really nice to see how ABS took care of you.

lilduke said:
yeah no doubt. I emailed bca about some bag issues and they never even got back to me....

In cost me about $150. Cheaper than buying a new canister without an exchange. When I first sent the email, I was totally expecting a “sorry, there’s nothing we can do.” I will absolutely buy, and recommend ABS to anyone looking for a bag.
It’s not like this bag was anywhere new either. I bought it in 2008, from Stojans when they were still in Sexsmith. To me, that’s most mind blowing part of the whole experience.

DeNytroguy · Nov 9, 2019

Dooitorbust said:
In cost me about $150. Cheaper than buying a new canister without an exchange. When I first sent the email, I was totally expecting a “sorry, there’s nothing we can do.” I will absolutely buy, and recommend ABS to anyone looking for a bag.
It’s not like this bag was anywhere new either. I bought it in 2008, from Stojans when they were still in Sexsmith. To me, that’s most mind blowing part of the whole experience.

The main "drawback" for ABS bags are the refills imo. BCA or Highmark bags can be refilled at most dive shops for around $20... no one I know locally deals with ABS anymore. Makes cylinder exchanges difficult, and time consuming.

Dooitorbust · Nov 10, 2019

DeNytroguy said:
The main "drawback" for ABS bags are the refills imo. BCA or Highmark bags can be refilled at most dive shops for around $20... no one I know locally deals with ABS anymore. Makes cylinder exchanges difficult, and time consuming.

Never once has it been an issue. I always have one for my ABS bag, and one spare in my gear bag at all times. At the beginning of the next season, the oldest of the two bottles is used for a test fire, and exchanged when convenient. Or if chit happens and I accidentally set off my bag during a trip, I have a spare, ready and waiting.

Test your gear

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