Tips & Information » Avalanche transciever rescue techniques » Pin Point Search Pattern
- Usually, you should stay in your skis until you get to the lowest volume control setting. Obviously, there are exceptions. If the victim is buried deep, you may never get to the lowest setting at the snow surface. If the avalanche debris is solid enough to run on, and impossible to ski, you may gain speed by taking the skis off.b.
- When you get your skis off, throw your poles and skis clear of the site. Otherwise, they end up in your way, and the metal bindings (and other ferrous objects) may alter the perceived signal.
- Get down on your knees. Take the transceiver strap off your neck (or, if possible, extend the strap to its farthest reach) so that you can make your pin point grid passes with the transceiver right at the snow surface. Continue the same grid, passing the transceiver from hand to hand, both horizontally (across the slope) and vertically (up and down slope). Maintain the unit in a constant orientation as you move from fade point to fade point; avoid an arching sweep with your hand because the orientation will change. Use your free hand to trench out the perimeter boundaries identified by the fade points.
- You're trying to localize the midpoints of your brackets to a dig area of approximately 1 to 2 feet square. If the burial is deep (6 feet or more), your final brackets will be more than 2 feet because of the larger volume cone emitted by the buried unit. Punch your fist into the snow to mark the location when it's time to dig.
- Sometimes you will have trouble localizing a dig point because of confusing signals.
- If the burial is shallow, and the signal seems strong everywhere, disorient the unit to find the weakest reception orientation. Then repeat the grid listening to the weaker signal.
- If the buried unit is transmitting dual frequency, when you are very close you may begin to hear the double beep of the two signals (2.275 kHz and 457 kHz). This occurs even with the new F-1 Ortovox single frequency transceivers. Don't be confused by the introduction of this second signal; it's good news, not bad.
- Be aware of the null zone phenomenon. Depending upon the relative orientation of the buried unit and receiving unit, you may get maximum signals on each side (though within the fade point bracket), and another fade point over the buried unit or near the midpoint of your bracket. Don't be confused. Use the null as your midpoint, either for digging or as the center of your next perpendicular bracket. The null does not mean necessarily that the buried unit is directly below.
- With the Ortovox F-2 (or other dual frequency transceiver), you may hear a clicking sound from your electronic quartz crystal watch. If you are familiar with this sound, and it doesn't distract you, then ignore it. Otherwise, take the watch off, and get it out of the way. (I stick mine on my head, under my hat).
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