MtnPro Vest Owner’s ManualTheory of Operation / Disclaimer / Warranty
Why do I need an avalanche airbag?

Preventing or minimizing burial depth is the key to reducing avalanche fatalities. That’s because themajority of time in an avalanche rescue is spent on excavating the victim. An airbag is designed tokeep you at or near the surface, minimizing excavation time.

Disclaimer

The Float system is designed to help improve your chances of surviving an avalanche. It must
be used correctly, following the guidelines in this manual. Perform a practice deployment at least
once a year. Do not modify any aspect of this product or perform any operations not described inthis manual.
Your Float cannot prevent the release of an avalanche or guarantee survival under any conditions.
Any airbag must be used in conjunction with a beacon, shovel, probe, and helmet to increase
your chance of survival. As with other avalanche rescue tools, your airbag should not promote
taking more risks.
In addition to these rescue tools, you should acquire the necessary skills to avoid avalanche
situations before heading into the backcountry. Take an avalanche safety course, practice withyour equipment, and plan your route according to the regional avalanche forecast.

Warranty

The manufacturer, Backcountry Access, Inc. (BCA), expressly warrants the workmanship andcomponents of this product for three years after the date of retail purchase. All parts will be either
repaired or replaced free of charge, including labor, by the manufacturer. This warranty does
not cover damage to the product caused by improper use or excessive wear and tear. Direct all
warranty claims to BCA or your airbag retailer. All claims must include proof of purchase and a
return authorization number.
To ensure warranty protection and periodic technical updates please register online at:www.backcountryaccess.com/warranty
Backcountry Access Float avalanche airbags are covered under U.S. patent: #7,878,141.

2

Instructions and Warnings
Failure to follow these instructions and warnings may result in death or serious personal injury.
•

The purpose of the Float Avalanche Airbag is to reduce the likelihood of burial during anavalanche. Any avalanche can be deadly.

•

It is important to practice before taking the system into the field. A practice deployment atleast once a year is recommended.

•

Before taking the Float Avalanche Airbag into the field, inspect all trigger and hoseconnections and ensure they are properly attached as described in this manual.

•The pressure gauge on the cylinder must read between 2500 psi – 2700 psi at 70°F
(21°C) or the system may not fully inflate.

•

The waist belt and leg strap must be worn to ensure the backpack stays in its intended
position in the event of an avalanche. The vest’s front zipper must be fully zipped.

•

Avoid placing sharp objects near or on top of the airbag compartment.

•

Always fold the airbag according to the directions detailed in this manual. Failure to do somay prevent the system from inflating properly.

•

To reduce the likelihood of inadvertent inflation, store the trigger handle zipped in thetrigger pocket. This is recommended when you or others could be harmed by the system
by accidental deployments when on chairlifts, gondolas, helicopters, buses, trains, cars, etc.

•

When not in use, keep the system in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

•

Never attempt to alter or repair the system. Only Backcountry Access, Inc. authorized
service centers may work on or repair the system. Any unauthorized work or alterations
will void the warranty.

•

This personal protective product is designed and intended to protect the wearer frominjuries caused by minor Impacts. This product is not designed or intended to protectfrom serious bodily injuries resulting from hard collisions, crashes, or avalanches. Events
capable of Inflicting serious personal injury may exceed the protective capacity of thisproduct. This product does not comply with EN 1621 and should not be used to replacea protective product that does comply with EN 1621.

3Equipment Check

Compressed Air Systemrelease valve cover|

trigger coverzypressure gauge

ejector assembly

trigger cablewx

coupler gauge

u

quick
connect fittingv
4

air cylinder

air hoseInstalling Compressed Air Cylinder
1. Remove packaging caps from pressurized air cylinder. To reach the compressed air system, unzip
the main storage compartment and fold back the fabric compressed air system cover.
2. Connect the quick connect fitting on the air hose  by pulling the large ring toward the pressuregauge . It should click back into place when air hose  is properly connected. Coupler gauge should fit in place to ensure air hose is connected properly. WARNING: If the coupler gauge will
not fit in place, the system may not inflate.

x
u
X

u
x

x



u

u

3. IMPORTANT! Screw the trigger cable nut  onto the trigger pin 11 . To expose the trigger
cable nut before threading it on the trigger pin, it might be necessary to push the trigger handle 12
back into the shoulder strap. WARNING: Failure to screw the cable nut onto the trigger pin will
prevent the system from inflating.
4. Screw the trigger cover z over the trigger cable nut .
5. Once cylinder is placed in
the sleeve, secure the Velcro
closure on the cylinder
compartment.
6. To disconnect an empty
cylinder, follow the above
steps in reverse.

11

~

z

TRIGGER CABLE NUT ATTACHED~z

TRIGGER COVER ATTACHEDz
5

Using the Avalanche Airbag
Equipment Check – Before Every Use Check the Following:
System Fittings
Follow the previous “Installing Compressed Air Cylinder” steps to verify connections are correct.
Verify the trigger cable nut connection by unscrewing the trigger cover z and making sure thetrigger cable nut  is attached securely to the trigger pin 11 . Replace trigger cover.
Air Cylinder
Check the pressure gauge { on the compressed air cylinder and make sure it is between 2500 and
2700 psi (172 to 186 bar) at room temperature (approximately 70°F or 21°C). Pressure must
be checked at room temperature for the reading to be accurate. Check pressure before every use.
WARNING: PRESSURE MUST BE IN THIS RANGE OR THE SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION
PROPERLY. Once the system is exposed to cold, the pressure will drop. If the pressure is everobserved below 2000 psi (138 bar), at any temperature, the airbag may not fill completely.
Inspect the cylinder. Do not use a cylinder that is dented or damaged.
Pack
Make sure the Velcro flap on the
top of the airbag compartment
is securely fastened. This will
ensure that the airbag iscompletely stored and secure.

WRONG

SECURE

Only the airbag and ejector are meant to be stored in the airbag compartment. WARNING: Neverstore any additional items in this compartment; items may prevent the airbag from deploying.
Check that nothing is loose inside the compressed air system or blocking the ejector assembly.
Make sure the compartment is zipped completely shut.
Check to make sure that nothing is obstructing the airbag compartment on the outside of the pack.
WARNING: Avoid placing sharp objects near or on top of the airbag compartment.
Perform visual inspection of stitching and fabric of the backpack. Ensure that the carrying system of
the backpack is not torn, abraded, or worn. Damaged gear must be retired.

6

Using the Avalanche Airbag
Pack Adjustments

Your pack should be properly fitted before you head
into avalanche terrain. The forces of an avalanche
can remove the pack from your back if it is notsecured to your body.

D

s
m
L

A

s
m
L

To properly fit and secure vest:
B
1. Adjust torso length by releasing interior Velcroand slide waist belt up or down. A
C
2. With vest on, secure and tighten waist belt. B
3. Pass leg strap through legs and secure to smaller buckle on waist belt.* C
4. Zip front vest zipper completely. D
5. Snug the side adjustment buckles. E

E* The leg strap is an important component of this system, and must always be worn bypassing it between your legs and securing it to the small buckle on the waist belt.

Deployment

Before entering avalanche terrain, unzip the pocket where the trigger handle
is stored (see image on right). In case of an avalanche, pull the trigger handle
12 quickly in a downward motion, reaching across your body with the hand
opposite the trigger. Try riding to the flanks of the avalanche to escape thedebris. In the event that you are buried, preserve your airway by covering
your mouth with your hand or elbow when the avalanche slows down.
12What to Expect
The airbag should exit the backpack and fill completely in approximately
three seconds. The airbag will continue to build pressure for a few seconds
longer until the system pressure equalizes. The airbag will hold air for several minutes until the threatof the avalanche has passed.

After Deployment

Release the air from the airbag by pressing the release valve with your finger. To locate the valve
open the mesh cover on the ejector |, the valve is underneath the orange release valve cover .
Never use hard or sharp objects to hold the release valve open. Make sure the release valve returns
to the original position after deflation. Re-pack the airbag into the airbag compartment. See “Packing
the Airbag” below for details.
WARNING: If you have deployed your airbag in an avalanche, the airbag must be inspectedby the manufacturer before additional use. Please contact BCA for a free airbag inspection andcylinder refill. Contact information can be found on the back cover.
7

MaintenancePacking the Airbag

The airbag must be folded into the airbag compartment. DO NOT ROLL OR STUFF THE AIRBAG
OR THE SYSTEM MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY. If the airbag is wet, dry it completely before
packing. Empty any residual air from the airbag using the release valve (you may need to do
this periodically as you pack the bag). It is very important that all residual air has been released.
Reseat the orange valve cover. Pull the mesh cover back over the ejector and cinch the draw
string. Disconnect the air hose from the cylinder before folding the airbag.
1. Completely separate the zipper so the slider is only attached to one set of teeth.
2. Bring zipper slider back to the opposite side of pack where the zipper begins (a).
3. Begin by laying out the deflated airbag flat on the ground. Make one vertical accordion fold oneach side of the airbag (b).
4. Next make two horizontal accordion folds on the airbag (c). After this step, your airbag is readyto be zipped inside the airbag compartment.
5. With the airbag folded inside the compartment, re-engage the zipper (d) and zip thecompartment past the Velcro flap at the top of the compartment (e). Fasten Velcro and finish
zipping the compartment closed (f).Never reverse the zipper pull over the breakaway section on
the airbag compartment zipper as this may cause the zipper to jam or break.

b
a
e
c

f

8

d

Maintenance
Empty Cylinder

The Float airbag will not deploy again until the cylinder is refilled or replaced. This can be done at a
Float Refill or Exchange Center (see www.backcountryaccess.com/air). To install the filled cylinder,
see “Installing Compressed Air Cylinder.”Removing and Installing the Airbag System

The Float packs feature a removable and interchangeable airbag system. The airbag components
can be swapped between 2012-13 or newer packs, or removed entirely.

Removing

1. To remove the airbag, open the airbag compartment by pulling the breakaway zipper apartunder the Velcro flap. Never try to “unzip” the airbag compartment zipper. Doing so could result indamage to the breakaway zipper.
2. Disconnect the trigger cable and air hose from the cylinder (a).
3. Unfasten the black Velcro holding the loose end of the orange rope in place. Un-thread the rope
from the webbing loops (b).
4. Once the rope is no longer threaded through the webbing loops, the airbag, ejector, trigger
cable and air hose are free to remove (c). The trigger cable stays with pack, but can be removed
as noted later in the section “Moving the Trigger.”

a

b

c

9

Installing
Installing
1. With the airbag unfolded, lay the ejector in the airbag compartment with the orange release valve
cover facing up (a). The air hose should be fed through the designated opening (b) into the mainstorage compartment where the cylinder is kept.
2. Starting on the side by the fixed end of the orange rope, pull the loops of webbing through the slits
in the airbag and thread the rope through the loops of webbing.
3. Once the threading is complete up to the ejector tube, pull the rope tight.
4. Bring rope over ejector tube.
5. Repeat threading technique through remaining slits and webbing loops.
6. Secure the loose end of the orange rope by running it up through the black Velcro loop, then loop
it back down and fold the Velcro flap over it.
7. Repack airbag and close compartment (see above instructions for repacking).
8. Reconnect trigger cable and air hose to cylinder (d).

a

b

c

d

10

Installing
Moving the Trigger

With the Float MtnPro Vest, you can install the trigger inside the left or right upper chest pocket
zipper, depending on your preference.

Removing

1. Open the zipper on the chest pocket containing the trigger.
2. Loosen the small screw that attaches the trigger to the webbing loop inside the shoulder strap.
3. Pull the trigger and cable out (a) through the chest pocket zipper.

aInstalling

1. Starting at the chest pocket zipper (a), thread the trigger cable, leading with the trigger cover,back into the pack (b). WARNING: Be sure the trigger cable is fed underneath the airbag
components, and take care not to kink the cable during installation.
2. Feed trigger cable through the opening in bottom right corner of the airbag compartment (c) into
the main storage pocket that stores the cylinder.
3. Inside the chest pocket zipper, secure the trigger cable by fastening the screw on the trigger
assembly to one of the webbing loops. Confirm that the trigger assembly screw has been properly
fastened to the webbing loop by pulling on the trigger handle and ensuring that the trigger
assembly is fixed to the webbing loop. WARNING: Improper installation of trigger may prevent
system from deploying.
b

b

c

a
11

Installing Accessories
Installing BC Link Smart Mic or Hydration Tube
(Note: process is similar to installation of trigger.)
The design of the Float MtnPro Vest allows you to install a BCA BC Link radio Smart Mic or ahydration tube in the upper chest pocket opposing the trigger pocket. The side chosen is based on
personal preference. In general, most snowmobilers prefer to have the trigger mounted on the rightside so they can activate the trigger with their left hand while maintaining control of the throttle with
their right hand.

BC Link Smart Mic:

1. Completely separate the the breakaway zipper to expose the airbag compartment.
2. Starting at the upper chest pocket zipper, feed the Smart Mic cable back into the pack, leadingwith the connector end. WARNING: Be sure the cable is fed underneath the airbag components.
3. Feed Smart Mic cable through the opening in the bottom right corner of the airbag compartment
into the main storage compartment.
4. Inside the upper chest pocket, secure the Smart Mic by clipping it vertically through the webbing
loop that fits best.
5. Bring zipper slider back to the opposite side of the pack where it begins, and rezip the airbag
compartment closed.

Hydration:

If using a hydration system, the reservoir can be stored in the pouch attached by Velcro to the airbag
compartment, located inside the main storage compartment. Run hydration tube through the holein the pouch, then follow the same routing as described above for the BC Link Smart Mic, but in the
opposite direction.

Installing External Shovel Carry
The Float MtnPro Vest has attachment loops designed for an external shovel carry accessory.
This accessory attaches to the front of the pack, using the three webbing loops shown below.
Detailed instructions are provided with the external shovel carry accessory (sold separately).

12

Storage, Service Life, Shipping And Transportation
Storage
When the system is not in use store in a cool, dry place. If the system is wet, dry before storing by
opening the airbag compartment and laying the airbag flat to dry. Do not expose a Float cylinder totemperatures exceeding 130°F (55°C) or below -22°F (-30°C). If subjected to adverse conditions,check that all connections are free of contaminants. Pack can be cleaned with warm water only andconnections can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Do not use soaps, detergents, lubricants, or otherchemicals; they may degrade or damage materials if used anywhere on the system.

Periodic Deployment/Service LifeBCA recommends deploying your Float airbag at least once per year, both to make sure thesystem is operating correctly and to be sure the user knows how to operate the equipment
efficiently. Put it on, pull the trigger, repack the airbag and refill the cylinder before the season
starts. Your Float airbag is designed to undergo a minimum of 20 deployments and is warranted
for 3 years. With occasional use and proper care, the system can be expected to last for five
years. Under frequent use and with proper care the system may need to be retired before five
years. The maximum shelf life is ten years from the date of manufacture. Factors that may
reduce the lifespan of the product are: abrasion, wear, prolonged exposure to sunlight, prolonged
exposure to moisture, or harsh environments. The manufacturing date can be found underneaththe cylinder sleeve in the main compartment.

Discharging Compressed Air Cylinder

If the cylinder must be discharged for any reason, it may be used for a practice deployment.
Simply deploy the airbag by pulling on the trigger handle.
WARNING: ALWAYS EMPTY CYLINDERS BY DEPLOYING THEM WITHIN THE AIRBAGSYSTEM. EMPTYING CYLINDERS IN ANY OTHER MANNER MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Shipping And Transportation Guidelines
For shipping and transportation guidelines, please visit our website at www.backcountryaccess.com.

13

Avalanche Rescue
This is a basic introduction to avalanche rescue techniques. On our website, you will also find alist of avalanche instructors. We strongly suggest taking an avalanche course in your area before
venturing into the backcountry. Each person needs a working transceiver, probe and shovel—andmust know how to use them. Before leaving, call your local avalanche forecast center and determine
the danger level in the area you intend to visit:
US: www.avalanche.org
Canada: www.avalanche.ca
Europe: www.lawinen.org

Searching for victims

If a member of your group is buried, you must perform a transceiver
search. The objective is to find the strongest signal (lowest
distance reading) and immediately begin probing the area. In theevent of a burial, switch all avalanche transceivers to search mode.
The guidelines below assume the use of a digital transceiver.

40m

path

20m

avalanche

Signal search: If there is a “last seen point,” start your signal
search there. Otherwise, start your signal search at the top,bottom or side of the slide path. See diagram on right toestablish a search pattern.

20m

Coarse search: Once a signal is engaged, align your transceiver
single searcher
so that any of the center three lights are flashing and movesearch pathmultiple searchers
quickly in the direction it is pointing. Make sure the number insearch paths
the distance display is decreasing. If it is increasing, turn 180
degrees. Inside ten meters, move slowly and try to keep the center search light engaged.
Fine search: Within three meters, use your transceiver as close as possible to the snow surface andlook for the smallest distance reading. Confirm by “bracketing” in the perpendicular direction.
Probing/Pinpointing: At the point where the distance has reached aminimum, probe the area in concentric circles, with each probe hole about
10 inches (25cm) apart. Your probe should enter the snow perpendicular tothe slope. Once you have confirmed the victim’s location, leave the probe
in the snow.

90˚

Shoveling: While shoveling might seem elementary, it usually consumes
the majority of time during an avalanche transceiver rescue. For best
results, start shoveling just downhill of the probe. Make your hole
one “wingspan” wide. In burials deeper than one meter, excavate
downhill about 1.5 times the burial depth. For more advanced shovelingtechniques, see our website: www.backcountryaccess.com.
1.5 x
burial depth

14

10˝ 10˝
25CM 25CM

Float save in Montezuma, Colorado, USA.

Backcountry Access, Inc.
2820 Wilderness Place, Unit H  
Boulder, Colorado USA
Phone: 303-417-1345
info@backcountryaccess.com
www.backcountryaccess.com
BCA / K2 Canada
1 Westside Dr. Unit #7
Etobicoke, ON
M9C 1B2
Phone, local: 416-620-4125
Phone, toll free: 866-455-2748
bca@k2canada.com
BCA / K2 Europe
K2 Sports Europe GmbH
Seeshaupter Strasse 62
82377 Penzberg
Germany
Fon: +49 8856 901 – 0
BCA@K2sports.de
BCA / Madshus AS
Madshus AS
Industriveien 29
2936 Biri
P: 61134300
M: madshus@madshus.com
BCA / K2 Japan
11F Shibaura Square Building
4-9-25 Shibaura, Minato-ku
Tokyo, 108-0023 Japan
Tel:+81-3-6858-7822
BCA@k2japan.com