Legal, Privacy & Safety

Last Updated: January 2026

1. Safety & Liability Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE PROCEEDING.

1.1 Development & Regulatory Status

AvaBuoy is currently in the Pre-Production & Engineering Validation phase. The product depicted is a functional prototype and is not yet available for retail purchase. While designed to meet rigorous alpine safety standards, the device has not yet been submitted to a notified body (e.g., TÜV SÜD) for third-party assessment under the EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (and the corresponding Swiss PPE Ordinance, PSAV / SR 930.115). Technical specifications are subject to final validation.

1.2 No Survival Guarantee

Avalanches are catastrophic natural events involving massive forces, trauma, and asphyxiation risks. No avalanche safety equipment—including transceivers, airbags, or AvaBuoy—can guarantee survival. The best defence is avalanche avoidance through education and decision-making. Consult a qualified professional for training.

1.3 Supplementary Equipment Only

AvaBuoy is strictly a supplementary safety device. It is designed to complement, not replace, mandatory avalanche safety equipment. You must always carry a transceiver (beacon), probe, and shovel, and travel with a trained partner when entering avalanche terrain.

1.4 Theoretical Models

The rescue time projections shown on this site are theoretical design targets based on engineering data and internal modelling. The segregation threshold chart and on-site simulator are illustrative theoretical models informed by granular-flow physics and scientific literature (e.g., Bartelt & McArdell, 2009; Duan et al., 2022; Genswein & Eide, 2008; Gray & Ancey, 2015; Gray & Thornton, 2005; Guillard et al., 2016; Huerta et al., 2005; Jing et al., 2020; Mitarai & Nori, 2006; Rauch et al., 2024; Samadani & Kudrolli, 2000; Savage & Lun, 1988; Tripathi & Khakhar, 2013; Wallner et al., 2019). These models assume specific snow conditions and flow regimes and are not predictive of outcomes in the field.

1.5 Terrain & Entanglement Warning

AvaBuoy utilises a high-strength connection cord. This device is designed exclusively for use in open, high-alpine terrain (above the tree line). Deployment in terrain with obstacles (such as trees, rocks, or fences) creates a significant risk of entanglement. Snagging the tether during an avalanche slide may result in severe physical trauma to the user due to the high tensile strength of the connection.

1.6 Liability Waiver

By accessing this site or joining the waitlist, you acknowledge that AvaBuoy and its creators assume no liability for the accuracy of these models, the performance of prototype designs, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

2. Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the AvaBuoy website (the "Site"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal data you share with us.

2.1 Data We Collect

Email Addresses: When you sign up for our waitlist, we collect your email address and submit it to Mailchimp for processing.
Basic Technical Data: Like most websites, our hosting provider and service providers may process standard technical data (e.g., IP address, browser type, and requested pages) for security and reliability. We do not use this data to identify you personally.

2.2 How We Use Your Data

Your email address is used strictly to send you updates regarding the development status, launch, and availability of AvaBuoy. We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal identification information to others.

2.3 Cookies & Tracking

We do not use Google Analytics or advertising pixels. At the time of writing, this website does not set cookies in your browser.

We use browser storage strictly for necessary site functionality (e.g., sessionStorage to preserve scroll/navigation state during your visit). This is functional in nature and does not track your activity across other websites.

2.4 Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate this Site:

Mailchimp: Used to manage our email waitlist. By joining the waitlist, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy.
CDNs (Content Delivery Networks): We load some libraries and icons via third-party CDNs for performance and reliability (for example, cdnjs.cloudflare.com and unpkg.com). These providers may process technical request data (such as IP address and user agent) as part of content delivery.

2.5 Data Security

We use industry-standard technical and organisational measures, including encryption, to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, misuse, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

2.6 Data Retention

We retain your email address for as long as necessary to provide waitlist updates or until you unsubscribe. Any technical logs retained by hosting or service providers are kept only as long as needed for security and reliability purposes.

2.7 Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to Access: Request copies of your personal data held by us.
Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data under certain conditions (e.g., when no longer necessary or consent withdrawn).
Right to Restrict Processing: Request restriction of data processing in specific cases.
Right to Object: Object to processing for direct marketing or other purposes based on legitimate interests.
Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another organisation in a usable format.
Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time without affecting prior processing.

You may unsubscribe from our waitlist at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the footer of our emails or by contacting us directly. We will respond to rights requests within the timeframe required by applicable law.

2.8 Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

2.9 Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, please contact us first. You may also lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Switzerland or your jurisdiction.

3. Terms of Use

By accessing this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.

3.1 Intellectual Property

The content, design, graphics, simulations, and code on this website are the intellectual property of AvaBuoy. The "AvaBuoy" name and logo are trademarks of the project owners.

3.2 Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Switzerland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

3.3 Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or these Terms, please contact us at: [email protected]