An avalanche transceiver (aka an avalanche beacon) is an essential piece of gear if you plan to travel into avalanche territory. In this article we'll discuss the different types of transceivers and how they work.
It is not enough to carry the right equipment: snow science requires proper training to avoid accidents as much as possible. Training must be provided by experts. This article is not a substitute for a practical course, which is essential. Our safety is fundamental, and proper training to face the winter mountain with guarantees is basic.
We will now explain its key features and functions, current technologies, and highlight the important factors to look out for when purchasing this crucial piece of basic winter mountain safety equipment that is the avalanche transceiver (or “avalanche beacon”).
That is: if someone is buried under the snow by an avalanche and has a transceiver attached, we will be able to locate him with a transceiver in receiver mode by following one of the flow lines of the radio wave it emits. For this reason, it is essential that all members of the group carry the device.
The direction arrow helps us stay on the path of the flux line until we can no longer reduce the distance (numbers on the screen). At this time, the secondary search phase begins. Once located, if it has a marking function, we will mark the victim (never before having dug them up), so that our device no longer takes this signal into account if there are other people to rescue.
All devices on the market use the international standard frequency of 457 kHz, regardless of make or model. They are all capable of searching and finding a buried victim anywhere in the world.
Until about fifteen years ago there were two different frequencies, one for North America and one for Europe, but it was agreed to use only one frequency: 457 kHz.
This means that, whatever the brand and model, you can use your device without worrying about its compatibility with that of the rest of the group and rescue groups, both in your area and in any other part of the world.
The one- and two- antenna models are no longer manufactured, and those who still have some, should pdate them, because their performance is much less reliable than the current ones, and they waste precious and vital time. Approximately 73 percent of avalanche victims die from asphyxiation, and the three-antenna models have reduced these fatalities by a remarkable number.
In competitions, beacons with fewer than three antennas are not allowed.
If we combine the three antennas we have a complete signal.
In reality, it's not about the device, it's about us. All transceivers are easy to use.... if you are familiar with them, if all their functions have been sufficiently practiced, and if the rescue protocols are well known. If we buy one with complex functions, as we will see later, and these are beyond our knowledge and experience, we will be slowed down.
Whatever transceiver we have, we have to practice until its use is completely intuitive.
We will discuss this topic in more detail later, when classifying transceivers.
If time is money in the search for an avalanche victim, the speed of the processor will allow us to move quickly without saturating it and without skipping flow lines.
There are models that need to be stopped in the middle of the search because they saturate or crash the processor. With experience, and knowing our transceiver, we can avoid this by not forcing the device.
The greater the range of the transceiver we have, the wider the search bandwidth, so theoretically we can search a larger area in a shorter time. Especially if we have sufficient search experience; otherwise, in such a large area, it can be complicated.
We should always take as range the range marked by our manufacturer on the back of our transceiver. The basic information on the main phases of a rescue protocol, which must always be followed, appears there.
There are cases in which this information does not appear on the reverse side; if we do not know what it is, we should take 40m as the range.
The digital transceivers are the vast majority that we will find, if not all of them in the market today. They have these advantages:
The analog transceivers were the first to be invented.
Analog signals are indicated by audible beeps that increase in frequency and intensity as we approach another transceiver or victim. They have no display and no directional indications on the screen. In general, these devices have a greater range for both sending and receiving the signal, but they are much less practical and require more knowledge and experience to be used correctly and effectively, so their use is not recommended except for professional rescuers and very experienced users.
In fact, anyone who has an analog-only transceiver should pdate to a digital one as soon as they can.
Yes, there are models, the more technical ones, which are digital and analog. Practitioners can employ the analog signal as an additional aid in searching for complex scenarios where multi-victim and/or tagging are not available. Some of these models allow both signals to be used at the same time helping to solve problems, as is the case with the Mammut Barryvox S.
The marking function of a transceiver will allow us to isolate the signal of a victim we have found, so that we can focus on the next burial. We cannot mark a victim until we have unearthed the airway and chest. Then, we will be able to mark your signal.
The marking function in scenarios with multiple burials is important in facilitating the search for the different signals.
Sometimes, these functions are not available due to the complexity of the situation forcing to carry out other search methods for multiple burials. We have the micro-band method and the three-circle method. These methods need to be familiar and practiced, regardless of the transceiver model we have.
This is more important than the device we have.
We have already seen that there are differences in features, functions, processing speeds, range ranges, etc., but the bottom line is to be proficient with our transceiver. A very professional model is useless if we are not agile in its use. We have to practice as much as possible, it is essential and vital to feel comfortable with our devices.
In addition, we should be humble and honest with ourselves when buying one. If we are not going to be able to practice with it, if we are inexperienced, buying a more advanced and complex model will exceed our level, which can be counterproductive.
The best transceiver is the one you can competently and quickly in a high stress situation, such as real rescues, because you are fully familiar with its operation and peculiarities.
Buying a more expensive transceiver with more features that we are not used to handling will not help us find a buried victim any faster...unless we take the right path, and practice and train. The recommendation of a simple transceiver to a beginner is not to stagnate there: it will help him/her at the beginning, and he/she should progress and learn as he/she goes along. Our safety depends on it.
Therefore, there are different types of transceivers, with functions depending on the users.
This allows us to choose our transceiver according to our level of experience and skills.
You may not take advantage of the more advanced features, and these may lead to confusion and wasted search time.
There are devices for the less experienced, such as the Ortovox Zoom+, which are basic and easy to use.
This is not to say that you don't have to train and practice a lot with them!!!! Simply put, their simplicity will allow us to use them effectively according to our level of knowledge and practice. It is a basic search model with no major functions.
Here we can find some devices with an excellent quality-price ratio, such as the Mammut Barryvox, Pieps Micro or ORTOVOX 3+ models.
Those who choose a transceiver from this range, and after the necessary practice, will be able to use functions such as automatic search-emission mode switching capability, victim unmarking function, specific group control functions, analog-to-digital function, or scanner function, among others.tic, victim unmarking function, specific group control functions, analog-digital function, or scanner function, among others.
How often we change the batteries depends on each manufacturer's recommendations. We recommend changing them when they are between 50-75 % of charge. That way we guarantee sufficient battery power in case of a rescue.
All batteries must be changed at the same time, and they must be of the same brand. Never use rechargeable or lithium batteries, unless recommended by the manufacturer. There are very few models that support lithium batteries.
The level of autonomy is affected differently depending on the mode used: in broadcast mode they consume less battery power, and in receiver mode they consume considerably more.
It is always advisable to carry spare batteries. We will avoid the problems that arise if someone forgets the batteries, or if a battery starts to run low.
But remember: batteries are changed just in case, not when the transceiver is needed, and suddenly we see that there is no battery, or that it is going to run out very soon. At that point, time is critical.
It is advisable not to store them in cold areas and close to metallic elements, as this may detune the antennas and cause signal drifts.
Over time, all transceivers become detuned and affect the ability to search for victims. Therefore, it is recommended to send the transceiver every 3 years to the manufacturers' technical services to verify the correct functioning of the device.
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