$20k reward for a releaseable snowboard binding

[Edgnar]

Not sure if this has been posted, but I figure tech talk is the appropriate place.

http://www.boardistan.com/?p=22222

Parents Create Releasable Binding Award
By The Editors March 15th, 2011.

Bob and Cheryl Zider, the parents of 15-year-old snowboarder who died from snow suffocation while snowboarding at Tahoe (Chris picture right), have created a $20,000 award “inspire the design of a positive-release snowboard to save lives” according to a story in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Zider, a Peninsula resident, was provoked to action after reading a series of stories in The Chronicle that described how more than 15 snowboarders have died since the Christmas holidays, most in the same manner as his son. . . “It’s time to build a better snowboard binding,” Zider said. “The device I’m looking forward to has to be positively activated on demand by the boarder. . . . While snowboarding is generally seen as no more risky or dangerous than skiing, the risk of death goes up exponentially in avalanche or tree well accidents due to the fact that the board is rigidly attached to the boots, and the boarder is often unable to reach his boots to release in these conditions. Most die of suffocation as a result.”

Most of the pull-release designs we’ve seen over the years have been pretty terrible. Maybe this award will help.

Read more: http://www.boardistan.com/?p=22222#ixzz1Gj89VATu

[Kip0130]

I remember having a rental board once, and it was somewhat like Dynafits. The boot had a male ends and the binding had female ends you snapped into.

[XavierD]

The problem with a user activated release system is the high risk of a negligent release, which can lead to some pretty dangerous scenarios.

My guess is that the 20k would be better spent on teaching kids about snow and avalanche danger, safe backcountry practices, and how to safely and effectively get a buddy out of a bad situation.

edit:
I just found/skimmed the website for the contest and have to say that the people running this have zero concept of skiing and snowboarding.

http://chrisziderscholarship.org/design-challenge/
extracts:
"While skiers also have accidents in tree wells, they seldom get trapped since they can independently move the skis and kick them off" I guess they have never been stuck in snow, especially in the wet heavy stuff. It is pretty easy for the snow to cement those skis in place.

"At one point in the 1990s companies such as Switch and K2 had "step-in" bindings which had the potential to be attached to a lanyard which could be released from the belt or collar in the event the boarder could not get their hands to their feet" Awesome the idea of having something wrapped around my neck that can get caught and pulled on sounds like a great idea.

"Examples
A binding to board attachment of a set of rails which are wider than the binding and are normally secured by a release pin. But in powder conditions, the pin is removed, and if in tree well, a boarder can slide his boots in to get past the rails and thus release without using hands. Can be used by half pipers for release of board in air, then land outside and slide back into bindings."
Been playing some SSX have we?

"some sort of auto release if the boarder is horizontal or more for a short period of time as they may panic or not be able to employ a manual release."
So that the boards fall off of the feet of the boarder when they are sitting on the run like they always do?

[Eluder]

I wish no one had to die while snowboarding or skiing, and I feel bad for this families loss, but this is kinda of ignorant.

[rideit]

Miller...paging Dr. Miller....

[fortysix&2]

Here's a starting point for our fellow entrepenuers.

In all seriousness, there are some ideas floating around. I saw one guy had something for hardbooters.

[Rockhound]

"Some sort of auto deploy device to provide breathing space, or oxygen combined with the smart phone sensor and auto dial to a programmed number or 911."

these people are crazy...

[bertrenolds]

"Some sort of auto deploy device to provide breathing space, or oxygen combined with the smart phone sensor and auto dial to a programmed number or 911."

these people are crazy...

I second that!
They do make packs you can inflate around your head, but one that dials 911? Rescue teams and patrol would be swamped with idiots calling for help. And they stoped making step in bindings because the risk of them comming off while in the air was extreamly high? The only thing that really could have saved this kids life would have been an avalung or flat out experience to not get into situations like this.
Here is a suggestion for the person that thinks it's easier to get out of a tree well on skis then on a snowboard, don't snowboard.

[Wooster]

On a somewhat related note, I watched a snowboarder take a fall and eject from a rear-entry binding last Saturday. When he got back up, the binding was still locked in and neither of us could figure out how it happened.

[DoWork]

As much as I might think this is a stupid idea, I might just have to give it a go. Shit, I could really use $20k!

I already gots like mad ideas and shit.

[Edgnar]

I never said these people knew what the fuck they were talking about. They just have money, somebody has to be willing to take it from them. And maybe someone who actually knows something about snowboarding can make something that is useful.

[Edgnar]

alright, just checked out their website, I doubt these people have ever actually snowboarded. I mean, they want a binding that is removable for stunts in the halfpipe? Uh, yea, too much SSX. But again, maybe they can inspire somebody to come up with a useful design. Maybe not. $20k will get some people thinking about it at least.

[bertrenolds]

I would say most snowboarders would think this is a stupid idea, and I don't think a $20,000 reward for a binding that would revolutionize the industry is enough. I would keep the binding to myself and sell it to a big company with deep pockets.

[Edgnar]

I would say most snowboarders would think this is a stupid idea, and I don't think a $20,000 reward for a binding that would revolutionize the industry is enough. I would keep the binding to myself and sell it to a big company with deep pockets.

You are probably right. I have heard a lot of bitching about non-releaseable bindings on splitboard.com's forums, but is it something that is likely to happen? probably not. Especially not the way these people envision it. Who knows, maybe somebody will come up with something interesting, but probably not. The parents, while well intentioned, are clearly gapers.

[Sublime]

Some one might come up with something interesting but even if it goes into production it will make up such a small percentage that it wont really make a difference. Why not make a binding attaches through the mounting disc with a pin that goes through the base plate ? You could attach that to a quick release type cord by your hips.

[1000-oaks]

DNR bindings made by Marker in late 1990's. Put a strap through both release loops and clip it to your belt, yank strap when upside-down in a tree well and you're out. (it's been done)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Marker-Step-in-S...mZ200586697495

http://cgi.ebay.com/STEP-SANTA-CRUZ-...item35b081794b

http://cgi.ebay.com/Womens-DNR-Size-...item45f95bc1ba

Hell you can even buy mine with size 9 boots, the system works flawlessly. Where's my check?

[bertrenolds]

You should submit it as an idea and try to claim $20,000!

[sloppy2nds]

It is do-able and has been done somewhat similar.
Does any one remember BURT retractable bindings?
I think the same system could be done with a plate and 2 fixed bindings.
Massive weight gain, elevated platform.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wxqJWIcNve...nge-tuck-2.jpg
http://cdn.epicski.com/f/fb/fbeebac5_burt1sml.jpg

[bertrenolds]

So who would be liable when someone started flailing off a jump and pulled the cord and ejected off their board in the air and then broke their neck?

Sometimes when you try to make something better you only end up making it worst or more dangerous.

I like the name for the burt binding

"The revolutionary Burt binding, a spin-off of the plate binding, featured retractable cables that released the boot from the ski during a fall, then automatically returned the ski to the boot and latched it back into place. While these bindings seemed functional for awhile, they broke easily and constantly required attention." http://www.heritageaspen.org/tipchp3.html

[tenB]

Don't forget to design a brake too cause otherwise we'll be ducking loose snowboard missles.

A leash would be pretty dangerous to a cartwheeling rider who ejected from his bindings, so let's keep leashes mandatory..

[Kim Jong-un]

Don't the dopey monoskiers have two alpine bindings mounted? Just rotate them and mount them snowboard style. It would be a good way to use up all the old marker and ess var bindings that are still laying around in people's garages.

[jawiley]

ESPN has picked up the story with an interesting perspective.

Non-avalanche snow deaths on the rise

Check it out (http://sports.espn.go.com/action/sno...ory?id=6247741)