I think people WAY over think the whole avy thing. In 15 years of mountain riding we have never had to use a beacon or dig anybody out of an avalanche. Can it happen? Certainly and it takes a few lives each year but driving your car or eating fatty foods are both arguably more dangerous as they take far more lives than sledding.
I fully expect those who fear everything to respond to this. I was once one of the fearful, wore an avy pack before they were cool. Now it sits on a shelf, haven't worn it for years. I don't wear a pack as it hinders my riding enjoyment. I carry a shovel on my sled for when I or someone else gets stuck.
Back in the day it was hi-marking, and it was probably pretty dangerous at times. These days it is in the trees where slides are extremely rare. hauling all that extra crap around just doesn't make sense to me anymore. It just never gets used. I figure if it is my time, it just is, pretty much the same feeling from the rest of the group. The most dangerous guy in our group used to ride with all the gear, take all the classes but he ended up dead from a heart attack when most of us were certain he would die on a sled one day.
I think most of you worry way to much, or you are taking stupid chances. Quit worrying and enjoy your rides... All that junk on your back is no insurance at all that you wont die that day. Safety is a myth sold by fear mongers. Use your head, that is the best safety feature you have. If that fails, I am pretty sure we can chalk it up to natural selection. Most sled deaths are not accidents but seriously poor decision making. Most of them carried the gear and it didn't do a damn bit of good...