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If you are lucky enough to survive the brutal force of an avalanche in tact, the threat of being buried alive is arguably an even scarier prospect. Avalanches can set so hard around your body that you can't even move a finger nor have enough room to expand your lungs. Statistically your best chances of survival lie in being rescued within fifteen minutes - after 30 minutes only 30% of victims will survive, those that were lucky enough to have an air pocket.

Although there is plenty of oxygen in the snow pack many victims will suffocate in their icy tomb before they are rescued. This is principally down to their air supply becoming contaminated with CO2 from their own exhaled air. Either that or snow that has been melted by the victims breath refreezes around their mouth forming an impermeable ice-mask. It is a terrifying prospect to be literally buried alive beneath the snow.

However, help is at hand in the form of Black Diamond's revolutionary Avalung system. This "artificial lung" enables the victim to breath under the snow pack, and so greatly increases the time one can survive before being rescued. It will always very from victim to victim and avalanche to avalanche but tests have shown it can be possible to survive being buried for nearly an hour using the Avalung.

The Avalung II (pictured) is the second generation of this ingenious invention and not only performs better but is lighter and more comfortable to wear too. There are also 2 backpacks which come with the Avalung built in - the Covert Avalung 22L and the Covert Avalung 32L.

The system is quite simple really, allowing you to take in oxygen from the snow pack through the front, while expelling the CO2 you breathe out through the back. This ensures you get a steady supply of uncontaminated air and prevents the problem of ice-masking.

There have been numerous documented incidents where the Avalung has, in all likelihood and in the view of professionals, led to the survival of a buried skier.

Remember, however, it is not a guarantee for safety on the mountain. Some avalanches can be so forceful that they kill you outright; others may send you tumbling over cliffs or slamming into trees and rocks. The use of the Avalung comes with enabling you to survive buried for longer. It is therefore crucial to remember to use this kit in conjunction with your standard avalanche safety kit of transceiver, shovel and probe. Even if a victim is wearing the Avalung you still need to dig them out as quickly as possible.

As with all avalanche safety gear, there are contentions with the system. There is nothing out there that can guarantee your safety in an avalanche. It is all about improving your odds. The main concern with the Avalung is the issue of getting the tube into your mouth in time. If you can see or hear the avalanche coming before it hits you then there should be no problem (the mouthpiece sits next to your mouth at all times). Sometimes, however, you can be caught in a slide before you even know it. If you start tumbling it is going to hard to get the mouth piece into your mouth in time. This also gives rise to the risk of the tube becoming clogged with snow. Also, you remain reliant on others coming to rescue you - but if everyone in the group is properly equipped and practised this is much less of an issue.

In my opinion, though, anything that increases your chances of survival in an avalanche must be a good thing. The Avalung is popular with guides who regularly ski with people who are not well practised in transceiver rescue. The main thing about the Avalung is it buys you time. And that time might just save your life.