Retrofitting an avalung vest onto a pack?

**Cruiser** · 12-04-2007, 10:50 PM

So I just bought an avalung vest from a guy on Craigslist. It's easy to remove the device from the vest. I'd like to attach it my bc pack instead of wearing it in the vest, but I'm not sure how to do it in such a way that it'll still work effectively. The only time I've seen something similar done was on Adimmen's (chime in one this one if you've got time) pack. So I'm looking for any tips or advice for making sure that I still have a functioning avalung when it's all said and done. My first though is to use some duct tape, but but I want to make sure that everything is positioned correctly to ensure that the bad air gets expelled correctly.

Thoughts?

**jepilot** · 12-04-2007, 10:56 PM

judging from pics I saw of this weekend, I'm guessing adimmen used duct tape...as would I (unless you have the domesticated-like girl who will sew it on using nylon thread)

**summit** · 12-04-2007, 10:58 PM

adimmen and reidhresko have done this with success

**Toby** · 12-04-2007, 11:21 PM

I've done it. Here's the original description. Version 2.0 is much better but I haven't updated the thread. Maybe I'll do it this weekend.

Hugh Conway · 12-04-2007, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

adimmen and reidhresko have done this with success

How was "success" determined?

**adimmen** · 12-04-2007, 11:47 PM

I cut it and duct taped/tied it to my pack. I have seen other people use those locking, rachet type ties as well.

I cut the harness just beyond the end of the tube and near the top of the shoulder strap. I had two primary concerns when attaching it to my pack. First, I wanted a solid attachment, which meant putting strips of duct tape and heavy duty ice hockey skate laces every few inches. Be sure not to get overzealous and cover the air intake though. Second, I needed the tube to be long enough to comfortably ski with. When you wear the harness without cutting it, there is plenty of tube to turn your head almost all the way around. But when you cut it and attach it to your pack strap, this freedom of movement decreases significantly. The challenge is to maximize comfort while achieving a solid attachment. Also keep in mind what will happen if you tighten or lengthen your shoulder straps.

I hope this makes sense because I'm really tired and may be babbly incoherently. If you can't figure it out from this thread, I'd be happy to show you mine sometime.

**Toby** · 12-05-2007, 12:31 AM

FWIW, the AvaLung 2 has significantly longer tubes than the vest. And the systems in the Covert/Anarchist are much longer still. I've used tubes from all 3. The way all 3 are set up the intake has no tube on it, the outlet has a longish tube and the breathing tube is longish. The valve box itself is very simple, just a couple of valves that open/shut depending on air flow direction. Basically what you want is enough freedom of movement for your head (as adimmen said) so enough room from the box to your mouth. Then, once you've figured out the location of where the box has to be, you need intake and outlet to be as far away as possible from each other while still being convenient. In my case I epoxied a plumbing fitting onto the black valve box so I could run an intake hose, and put the intake and outlet at opposite corners of my pack. It's pretty easy to understand.

Actually, in hindsight the vest has no black valve box, it's got a goddamned heavy off-white box or two connected with hose. The A2 and the packs have the lightweight black boxes. Same principle though.