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Transceiver search

ith practice, transceiver search can be a simple and rapid process. The key word, however, is practice! The techniques we’ll describe is the induction search since tests have consistently shown that this is easier for an occasional user to learn and faster than the traditional grid pattern search. To work effectively, you need a transceiver with a directional indication which pretty much all current models on the market will have and ideally one of the newer “digital” transceivers with a visual display and distance indicator. The debate rages, but the general consensus is that the "digital" models are faster for anyone except - possibly - professional users. The key is to practice with the model you have.

The search sequence is as follows:

Go to the last seen spot: This is the start point for your search.
Switch all transceivers to receive: This enables everyone to start looking for the victim and, crucially, prevents the search from becoming confused by picking up a signal from some-one on the surface. It is essential to ensure before you start the search that no-one has left their unit in transmit mode
Begin a sweep pattern until you pick up a signal: Use the search patterns shown in the diagram below to work downhill until you pick up a signal. If you have a group you can use the (faster) straight down search with group members spread 10 metres apart (most units have a range of 30-50m so a 10m gap should ensure that you don't miss a victim). On your own, use the sweep pattern moving horizontally across the full width of the avalanche path before moving down 10 metres . Move as fast as you can. It is usually easiest to take your skis off and run, but if the debris is very soft you may find it easier to keep them on for this part of the search.

Induction search: The first person to pick up a signal should take the lead on an induction search. This stage is very simple. Your transceiver will indicate a direction and possibly a distance from the victim – usually both visually (distance indicator, coloured lights etc) and by sounding an audible bleep (louder or more frequent is closer). Note (as shown in the diagram below) that the induction search will take you on a curved path not a straight line to the buried victim, but it’s still the faster method.

Detailed probe search: Once you get close (less than 0.5m if the victim is only shallowly buried) a quick probe search will help to location the precise position of the victim and work out how deeply they buried. With a group, the process is fastest is a second person follows the transceiver searcher with a probe assembled and ready to use.

Dig: As soon as the victim is located the diggers should begin digging as directed by the searchers (again the process is fastest if someone follows behind the searcher with a shovel assembled and ready for use). Dig as fast as possible, but with care to avoid injuring the victim and in particular to avoid hitting their head. The priority is to get the victim out and get their airway clear as fast as possible. As soon as you’ve done this, switch off their transceiver and go looking for the next victim (if there is one).

The transceiver search process as you can see is essentially very simple – complete novices have been known to effect successful rescues never having used the unit before. That said, there are a number of tricks to their use and the following tips are worth bearing in mind.

Practice, practice, practice: More so than almost any other technique described in this book, transceiver rescue benefits from practice. It’s well worth spending an hour or two at the start of a tour practicing burying and finding transceivers. This doesn’t even have to be done in the snow – they work just as well in a field during the summer!
Check the units are working: Batteries do go flat, units can fail, people do forget to switch them on or switch them back to transmit mode. Good practice before venturing off-piste is to get one group member to switch their unit to search and do a quick check that everyone’s unit is working.
Practice multiple searches: The technique described here essentially assumes that you pick up just one signal. Once you’ve found the first victim (and switched off their transceiver) you can start the process again to find the next victim. In practice, if there are multiple burials, your unit may pick up more than one signal. This can be confusing and different units have different techniques for helping you tell two signal apart (different tones of sound, ability to narrow the search distance or signal width and so on). The key thing is to practice with the unit you are planning to use.