Transceiver Awareness

So, do you or don't you? (wear a transceiver)

Remember a Transceiver is no use if you don't know how to use it; and if you don't carry a Probe and Shovel too - you'll have little chance of getting your buddy out before they suffocate.

and if your friend doesn't have all the kit e.g. probe & shovel, but only a transceiver...

Give him yours, then if he has to find you, he can also dig you out, and if you have to dig him out, tough he doesn't have his own shovel and probe!

Hopefully he may get the message and buy them!

A transceiver, shovel and probe are essential off piste equipment and I still take them if I go on the piste just in case I am tempted off the groomed runs. It has been known for open pistes to get avalanched so I feel it is best to be in the habit of always wearing a transceiver and carrying a shovel and probe.

I always ski with a ski buddy off piste to as if you have no one to dig you out then the transceiver is useless. Ski slopes spaced or one at a time to minimise the risk of both of you being avalanched.

Prevention is better than cure and a good understanding of snow structure is very important if skiing off piste.

If you are unfortunate enough to get avalanche a speedy rescue is paramount (due to suffocation) which means that you need to be well practised in the use of transceivers. Self rescue is usually the only viable option due to time constraints.

If you are looking for a course in off piste skiing, ski touring and/or avalanche awareness have a look at www.alpin-ism.com who are based in Leysin Switzerland.

There is also a Mammut transceiver practice centre in Leysin Switzerland which is free to use and is an excellent facility to help give you confidence in searching for single, multiple and deep burials.

Know the off piste environment and ski safely and confidently.

Here's hoping for a great powder winter 2008.
Good skiing
Terry

For anyone visiting the Val d'Anniviers, there is a Transceiver Practice Facility at Sorebois in Zinal. Free to use. :D

has anyone come across any good deals on transceivers? or any going second hand, preferably double antenna ones??

dulcamara wrote:has anyone come across any good deals on transceivers? or any going second hand, preferably double antenna ones??

Telemark Pyrennes have some good deals and sell packs with beep, probe and shovel which work out well.

ise wrote:

dulcamara wrote:has anyone come across any good deals on transceivers? or any going second hand, preferably double antenna ones??

Telemark Pyrennes have some good deals and sell packs with beep, probe and shovel which work out well.

Facewest also offer sets as a package.

http://www.facewest.co.uk/Safety-Packages.html

Practice is the thing for us recreational, just a few weeks a year skiers, though. I used to think I was going to be OK with my Tracker - and the occasional practice seemed to confirm that. But last year I found a multiple burial simulation set up by an instructor gave a very confusing reading. A mate using a Pulse had no problems at all.