Your avalanche backpack is there to help you through each stage of an avalanche emergency. You must trigger or deploy your airbag at the first signs of an avalanche. Whether you’ve seen a crack develop in the snow or are being carried downhill by a slab, your airbag will give you better chances of survival. Our top tip: It’s best to practice deploying your ABS airbag system before the start of the season. You’ll be better prepared to deal with a real emergency and intuitively know where to grab the trigger handle, and also how much time it takes for the ABS system to fill with air.