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Description

Breathe easy in the backcountry.

The Black Diamond AvaLung II is one of the most important developments in avalanche safety since the avalanche beacon. It should be a part of every backcountry traveler's tools. Use it in conjunction with a shovel, probe, transceiver, and experienced and capable companions to increase your chances of survival should you be caught in an avalanche. The Black Diamond AvaLung is designed for backcountry powder skiing & snowboarding, alpinism, and snowmobiling. The AvaLung is a simple filtration device which draws air directly from the snow pack. Even dense avalanche debris consists of approximately 50% air. The AvaLung membrane increases the surface area from which you breathe, making it possible to pull this air from the snow. You breathe in and out through the tube. The patented system within the AvaLung separates the O2 from the exhaled CO2, which is directed away from the air intake and out the back of the vest to diffuse through the snow pack. At the on snow demo last season, we watched them bury a guy in the snow for over an hour. When they dug him up, he was a little cold but otherwise fine (they even tested the CO2 levels in his blood). While we think that the AvaLung is a great innovation, we recognize that it does have its shortcomings. While tumbling in a slide, you might well lose your bite on the mouthpiece--or you may not even have had a chance to bite it. However, we feel that this device can increase your chances of survival. It's another great tool in your quiver. Get the Avalung II size that corresponds with your T-shirt size. They are highly adjustable.

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

Robert Mrdutt

Member since 
Groups:
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Just purchased the Black Diamond Avalung II and am stoked. Fits great over a 2XL North Face coat, and my XL Volcom jacket. Its so light, I hardly realize it is there.

4 5

Brian

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

Brilliant idea and not too expensive. On the other hand, it's not easy to ski with it in your mouth due to 1) airflow resistance 2) tension from the tubing.

Also, mouthpiece feels like it's about 20-30 degrees rotated off axis from my mouth.

I will continue to ski with it (why wouldn't you?), but certainly has room for improvement.

5 5

bjop315436

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

Haven't had to use it and hope I never will, but I'm sure it would help me if I do. Sturdy make, easy to wear with other gear and adjust. Breathing through is slightly difficult, but its not meant to replace your mouth.

4 5

Carver Shaw

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I got one of these for Christmas and have been lucky enough to use it a few times on deep pow days. No avalanches for me but skiing the deep blower pow, this helps a lot and keeps you from having to stop to come up for air! Part of me wishes I would have spent the extra 40 dollars and got the avalung backpack, but overall I am happy with how this fits and it's ease of use.

3 5

SNO4711109

Member since 
  • Gender: Female
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

If you are a female with any sort of bust get the M/L. I thought S/M would be fine. And M/L was for large males?.very wrong. To have room for your beacon, bag, bust, and avalung?.you need the M/L. It was designed for a male and crosses right over?.a very uncomfortable spot. Get the larger version for more strap length to finagle the avalung to fit comfortably.

Fint

Member since 
Responded on

Good to know, thanks for the tip!

5 5

Neil Crowson

Member since 
Groups:
  • Gender: Male

Don't be afraid to be afraid. Always use all the safety gear you can get your hands on.

5 5

Shaun Raskin

Member since 
Groups:
  • Gender: Female
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I got my hands on an Avalung last season and I wore it every day I was in the backcountry and on high avi days in bounds. Its a super small piece of equipment that I hope I never have to use, but if I do its nice to know it is there. I am 5'8" 150 lbs female and lets just say... nature was very generous to me in the chest and I wear a small/med which fits perfect even over some of my baggier ensembles.
I never use the Lung to justify any lines I may choose, its just a piece of gear that is there if I have made a mistake and all else fails.
Make sure you are skiing with it in your mouth cause it wont help if you aren't able to get to the hose once buried.

Dont leave home without it!
5 5

Dave Marcus

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

Don't leave home without it.

I'm about to start my second season with the Avalung. Thank goodness I haven't had to deploy it yet, but it's nice to know it's there.

At 5'10" with a 41" chest, M/L fits me like a charm and doesn't interfere with pack straps. I like having the standalone Avalung because I can use it with any pack or by itself.

If you spend time in the backcountry, get one of these.

How much does the size matter? Is the bit...

LNZ

Member since 
Posted on

How much does the size matter? Is the bit with the air vents a different size or just the straps? I'm smallish but am wondering whether I can wear a M/L Ok (I'll just cut off the excess straps) or will it result in the "in" air vent being on my back next to the "out" vent and as a result not work so well. I'm not in the US and now BD has got very strict about Int shipping my options are restricted. Thanks

DEON NORTJE

Member since 
Responded on

You should be ok with a M/L. Just make sure that you place it in the correct manner on your body and that you do not restrict airflow in the crucial parts

Does anyone out there wear one of these...

David Duffy

Member since 
Posted on

Does anyone out there wear one of these in conjunction with the Ogio Flak Jacket? How is the fit?

DEON NORTJE

Member since 
Responded on

the fit seems to be pretty good,just don't restrict the vents on the avvy

Like a GLOVE!

Joe G

Member since 
Posted on

Ignore the cheesy smile....I'm 6'1" 185lbs, wearing a large Oakley Primed jacket with a M/L Avalung II & Dakine Heli Pro DLX.

Sam Wyman

Member since 
Responded on

dude i have that pack i would love to add this to it!!

Sam Wyman

Member since 
Responded on

how did you attach it to your dakine backpack?

Grant Helgeson

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Get creative. I've seen some pretty inventive systems that just use a bit of extra webbing and some zipties. Put the pack on and then hold the avalung in place, where you can be sure to get it to your mouth. A partner can really help with this. Start by throwing a few zip ties in place. You can probably attach most of it to one of your shoulder straps. You'll be surprised how easy it is once you start!

Joe G

Member since 
Responded on

I did not attach the Avalung to my pack, I just posted the picture with my pack to show how it fits while wearing a pack. I see no need to attach it to any pack that I'm wearing, it works just fine as is (and probably more secure than attaching to pack in the event of an avalanche).

whats the difference between the avalung...

bill

Member since 
Posted on

whats the difference between the avalung ll and the original avalung?

sgg3359143

Member since 
Responded on

The old lung is a bit larger and more cumbersome; whereas the II is more compact and a bit more kind to your wallet. Never had to use either in a burial, but the breathing mechanics seem very similar, ie same idea, just smaller and more refined..

How does this work for a high altitude...

steve hernandez

Member since 
Posted on

How does this work for a high altitude hike. or does it not help at all

Jamie Preston

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

This is designed to pull oxygen from the snow in the event you are buried in an avalanche. It will not otherwise aid with regular breathing.

Will it work on the moon?

brennan

Member since 
Posted on

Will it work on the moon?

Ryan Guay

Member since 
Responded on

Probably not... Got some new lines in mind?

Phil Maher

Member since 
Responded on

No, there's no atmosphere on the moon, space is a vacuum, and you and it would implode.

Ian R. Sigel

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

Actually, the gasses in the body would expand in a vacuum causing Brennan to explode rather than implode. Good news, however...as the space inside Brennan's head is apparently a vacuum as well, that portion of his anatomy would survive relatively unscathed. {:<)

Any chance of black diamond making a full...

Luk4046547

Member since 
Posted on

Any chance of black diamond making a full face helmet avalung? I think this would be a great way to solve the problem of not getting the tube in your mouth in time.

Carver Shaw

Member since 
Responded on

I don't see that happening anytime in the near future, but to solve the problem of getting it in your mouth on time, the manual says to place the mouthpiece in your mouth as you begin skiing. In the event of a slide it is already secure in your mouth, or in the event of deep, glorious, suffocating pow, you can breath happy while skiing your line!

Powder shot

Biff

Member since 
Posted on

I hope I will never need to use the Avalung. Be safe in the backcountry and enjoy the freshies.

Biff

Member since 
Responded on

The Avalung makes me feel a little more comfy in the backcountry. It is light and easy to wear. I hope I'll never need it! Be safe.

Biff

Member since 
Responded on

The Avalung makes me feel a little more comfy in the backcountry. It is light and easy to wear. I hope I'll never need it! Be safe.

5 5

Member since 

Duh, this is a no-brainer: If you need a beacon, then you need a Lung even more dearly. The beacon is a recovery device, whereas the AvaLung is a SURVIVAL device. That said, the well functioning brain is the single most critical piece of equipment -- use it wisely.

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