This is protective gear for skiers to avoid head injury but the avalanche that hit our army man hit the whole camp with 30 feet snow, who most of them would in the wind shield tent at that time.
Rule of thumb, respect Nature, and give path to the Bigger ones instead of facing.
Nope. An flowing avalanche is just like a River. The "balloon" will ensure that the person will "Float" to the top of the snow and will not be buried when the avalanche stops.
The head injury is just an added benefit.
It makes a huge difference weather you are buried at the bottom of 30 feet of snow or at the top of the snow from where you can dig yourself out.