It is possible that during the Val Gardena descent, on December 19 and 20, let's see for the first time the use, by high-level skiers, of an airbag safety system in speed tests.
The FIS (International Ski Federation), after continuous research, development and testing, has approved the use of the airbag in tests where skiers reach speeds of 140 kilometers per hour and that, therefore, accidents can have very serious consequences.
Following the falls that have occurred in recent years - such as that of Hans Grugger in 2011 - the protocols for implementing this new security system have been rushed, capable of absorbing more than 60% of the force caused by the impact in a fall.
The device weighs about 800 grams and includes a computer, a GPS, and a battery. After a strong impact, the device would take 100 milliseconds to inflate. Besides, A swelling algorithm controls the deployment and differentiates between a normal running jump and a fall..
According to FIS research, this airbag could reduce the likelihood of serious accidents by 85%. The Federation notes that More than 25% of accidents affect the back, neck, cervical vertebrae and spine..
Today, only the Dainese corporation distributes the device, named D-Air SystemThe engineers who developed it claim that its use will lead to changes in skiers' preparation or training.
