Float 36

How do Float airbags reduce burial depth?  Inverse segregation, more commonly referred to as the “Brazil nut effect,” is the science behind why airbags work. The turbulent movement sorts different shaped objects by size (similar to the way large Brazil nuts will rise to the top when a bowl of mixed nuts is shaken). Smaller objects are more likely to fall into the voids created by the turbulence, while larger objects move to the top. In addition to increasing your overall buoyancy, the Float avalanche airbags are designed to make a backcountry user “bigger” than the surrounding pieces of debris in an avalanche. The Floats use compressed air in the cylinder to fill the 
bag and make the user’s volume larger, reducing or eliminating burial depth and increasing your chances of survival. How do we refill or exchange the compressed air cylinders?  There are several ways to refill or exchange your cylinder once it has been discharged. BCA has a extensive network of BCA-certified refill centers published on our website. These include select dealers, SCUBA and paintball shops, and fire stations. BCA also offers a cylinder exchange program. This enables Float owners to exchange empty cylinders for full cylinders at the dealer’s location or at BCA instead of a certified refill station. Can I transport a Float on commercial airlines?  While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has specifically approved avalanche airbags with pressurized cylinders for airline travel, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) does not allow them. If you are traveling in countries outside of North America where refills are not available, contact your airline in advance for permission to check through your pressurized Float cylinder. If permission is granted, then pack the pressurized cylinder in your checked baggage. Make sure it is packed with the following document: www.backcountryaccess.com/IATAdoc If you are traveling to or from North America, then TSA will not allow your pressurized cylinder on board. Discharge the compressed air cylinder before entering the airport. Unscrew the cylinder head from the cylinder and put both in re-sealable plastic bags. Carry them through the TSA security checkpoint so they are visible to TSA personnel. Afterward, the cylinder head can be screwed back on the cylinder by hand. When you reach your destination, locate a Float retailer or refill center and exchange or refill your empty cylinder. For a list of Float refill/exchange locations, see www.backcountryaccess.com/refillcenters.