| There are some actions that could help you if caught | | | | - switch your transceiver to receive mode and |
| in an avalanche: | | | | perform an avalanche transceiver search; |
| - The first thing you have to remember is: do not | | | | - look for outside help; |
| panic; | | | | - do not stop the search while you are waiting for a |
| - get rid of your sack, skis, gear and do anything | | | | help. |
| that will help you to get lighter; | | | | Beacon search |
| - while falling, try to reach the side of the avalanche | | | | The most important part is to locate the signal. When |
| and to stay on the surface or at least to thrust your | | | | you obtain a signal, try to find out the location of the |
| hand above it; | | | | victim. You should not walk straight to the victim. |
| - try to stay on the top of the slide; | | | | When you are about 3 meters from the victim, get |
| - if you did not succeed with the above mentioned, | | | | your transceiver down to the snow and search at 90 |
| try to put a hat or a scarf in front of your mouth | | | | degrees. Sweep the beacon back and forth, left and |
| and nose or try to make an air space with your | | | | right and search for the strongest signal (usually the |
| hands in order to avoid suffocation caused by the | | | | victim's beacon is beneath the strongest signal). |
| snow dust; | | | | Victim's profile: |
| - take a deep breath and try to hold it as long as | | | | The typical victim is an individual on holiday, white, |
| possible; | | | | man, between 18-35, well educated, intelligent and |
| - try to keep your breath steady; | | | | experienced in sports but without knowledge of |
| - do not fall asleep; | | | | avalanches [ |
| - try to move your body if possible; | | | | What are the conclusions: |
| - switch your beacon to transmit mode. | | | | - you should check the beacons every day by |
| If your companion is caught in an avalanche and | | | | switching them to receive and to transmit mode; |
| when the avalanche stops: | | | | - all beacons in the group should use the same |
| - Start searching right away. Remember that you are | | | | frequency. It is considered that 457 kHz is the best |
| his/her only chance and you don't have much time; | | | | frequency in case you are buried; |
| - try to watch him/her and start searching for him | | | | - a beacon should be kept in some place safe and |
| her at the point he/she was last seen. As a rule, the | | | | tightened very well in order not to lose it (drop it) in |
| victim is usually between the point he/she was last | | | | case you are caught in an avalanche; |
| seen and the location of his/her lighter gear. He/she | | | | - it is necessary to carry some additional avalanche |
| can be also found around some obstacles ; | | | | equipment such as: avalanche shovel, avalanche |
| - check for any clues that might help you find the | | | | probe, first aid kit. |
| victim; | | | | |