1. Check the structure

Inspect all parts that make up your airbag pack’s structure: the waist belt, chest strap, leg loop, and shoulder straps.

2. Check the straps

The straps must show no cuts and the stitching threads must be in good condition.

3. Check the buckles

Buckles must not be broken or bent.

4. Check the waist buckle

Ensure the waist buckle is assembled correctly. It must not be flipped (i.e., the adjustable part of the strap must not sit under the fixed part).

We also recommend keeping the adjustable section threaded through the keeper loop located on the fixed strap.

1. Check the activation handle rod

The activation cable sheath must have no damaged areas and must not be bent more than 30°.

2. Check the handle opening and closing

It must lock properly onto the lug when the mechanism is armed.

3. Check the handle keeper

Inspect the condition of the handle keeper on the shoulder strap.

1. Check the thread condition

Check the cartridge’s thread, the O-ring, and the sealing cap at the top of the cartridge. The sealing cap must not be pierced.

Inspect the cartridge coating, especially for the carbon cartridge.

2. Check your cartridge

Unscrew the gas cartridge, weigh it without its cap, and compare the weight to the weighing label on the cartridge. A tolerance of 5 g is accepted to account for scale accuracy. Given our quality process, gas loss is extremely rare, though not impossible. The weighing label shows the cartridge serial number, the last refill date, and the bottle weight after refill.

3. Dry triggering of the activation mechanism

Make sure the cartridge is fully unscrewed from the Reactor system.

Pull the Reactor handle.

The triggering sound must be sharp, like a click.

4. Maintain the activation indicator

Apply a drop of lubricant between the red activation indicator and the red main body. Use mineral oil only (ballistic-type). Example: Ballistol Universal Oil. Do not use solvent-based penetrants such as WD-40.

4 bis. Re-arm the activation system

Re-arm the activation system using the re-arming key stored inside the pack.

When re-arming, the pin should snap back towards the red main body cleanly, indicating there is no friction.

5. Screw your gas cartridge back in

Ensure the activation system is armed, then screw the cartridge in until it seats. You will feel slight resistance when the O-ring is compressed. Keep screwing gently until the stop, without forcing.

6. Check the firing pin

The firing pin and the lateral bore must be clean and free of residue or dirt.

The firing pin needle must be in good condition, not broken, and the tip must not be frayed.

1. Check the airbags

Open the airbag compartments, take the airbags out, and make sure the fabric shows no wear marks, especially along the folds.

Check the positioning of the 7 fiber airbag attachment bars. The sheath cap on the airbag must be fitted over each attachment bar.

Check the condition of the fasteners and the red attachment straps on the airbag.

2. Install the deflation clamp

Insert the deflation clamp into the Venturi valve grille. There are two airbag system versions (Reactor 1.0 and Reactor 2.0) where the valve shape differs, but the deflation principle is the same. Then fold the airbags and close the compartments following the instructions below. There are three compartment versions depending on the year of manufacture and the airbag folding method.

Find my pack version

GEN1

1 — Engage the sliders at the bottom of the airbag pocket.

2 — Close the zippers while folding the airbags as described above. Stop a few centimeters before the end.

3 — When both zippers are closed, disconnect the two zipper sliders on one side of the teeth. IMPORTANT: if the zipper is not disconnected, the airbags are very likely not to inflate correctly.

GEN2

1 — Engage both sliders at the top of the airbag pocket and move them forward about ten centimeters.

2 — Close the Velcro flap covering the zipper starts.

3 — Bring the sliders down while folding the airbags as described above. The sliders must enter the zipper sleeve, but stop at its edge without pushing it all the way in. If you push the slider too far and it disconnects from one side of the teeth, restart the operation from the beginning.

GEN3

1 — Engage both sliders at the top of the airbag pocket and close the small Velcro retainers over the zipper housing. Then move each slider forward about ten centimeters.

2 — Close the Velcro flap covering the zipper starts.

3 — Bring the sliders down while folding the airbags as described above. The sliders must enter the zipper sleeve (or red elastic), but stop at its edge without pushing all the way in. If you push the slider too far and it disconnects from one side of the teeth, restart from the beginning.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We recommend a control deployment with a compressed gas (or air) cartridge every 3 years. Full airbag deployment should take between 3 and 4 seconds.

After full deployment, the cartridge continues to empty for about ten seconds. This is the pressure reserve to ensure complete inflation even in complex situations where you could be compressed by snow blocks or your own weight.

EUROPEAN STANDARD

The European standard for avalanche airbags states that the airbag must remain fully inflated for at least 3 minutes after deployment. “Fully inflated” means it can maintain its shape under its own weight.

The pressure in the airbags is not crucial; it is normal for it to drop in the first minutes after triggering due to the system’s natural porosity.

If you are buried under snow with your airbag inflated, the released air can help you breathe and extend your survival time. The airbag content consists largely of air drawn in by the Venturi inflation system and, to a lesser extent, nitrogen or argon from the cartridge—both gases are components of the air we breathe every day.