BD just posted a video of their AvaLung being used during a real emergency. Pretty amazing footage. Keep watching until at least 38 seconds.
Here's what BD says about the video:
"On a heli-ski trip out of Haines, AK in April 2008, experienced backcountry skier Chris Cardello was prepared and new the risks. He was also wearing a helmet cam. This footage is an intense first person perspective on being caught in an avalanche, riding it to burial, breathing through a Black Diamond AvaLung and being rescued by trained professionals. Be safe out there!
The Black Diamond AvaLung allows you to breathe fresh air directly from the snowpack, buying you precious time during a rescue. Rebreathing exhaled air when youre buried causes suffocation because the air becomes oversaturated with carbon dioxide and depleted of oxygen. The AvaLung diverts the exhausted air away from your fresh-air intake zone, considerably extending the time your partners have to conduct a successful recovery."
