Fine Search; Multiple Burials - bca Tracker DTS Manual De Instruccion

Operating Instructions
Move your beacon very slowly in a straight line along the surface
of the snow during the final three meters of the fine search. Ignore
sudden fluctuations in distance and direction, often followed by no
distance reading and/or "SE" in the distance indicator. These "spike
readings" mean you are very close. The lowest reading will be near
this point.
From the point where you have located the smallest reading,
"bracket" at 90-degree angles to the left and then to the right in
search of a lower reading (Figure F). Repeat if necessary along both
axes. Begin probing at the lowest distance reading.
Figure F

Fine Search

Bracketing: When your distance
indicator reaches 3 meters,
search along a straight line until
you have passed the lowest
distance reading. Return to the
lowest reading and "bracket" in
search of an even lower reading.
Ignore the directional lights while
in the fine search.
Probing/Pinpointing: At the point where the distance has reached
a minimum, probe the area in
concentric circles, with each
probe hole about 10 inches
(25cm) apart. Your probe should
enter the snow perpendicular
to the slope. Once you have
confirmed the victim's location,
leave the probe in the snow.
Shoveling: While shoveling
might seem elementary, it
usually consumes the majority
of time during an avalanche
beacon rescue. For best results,
start shoveling just downhill of
the probe. Make your hole one
"wingspan" wide and excavate
downhill about 1.5 times the
burial depth.
12
3.0
SE
1.6 1.0 1.6
SE
3.0
 
˚ ˝ ˝
CM CM
1.5 x
burial depth
For more advanced shoveling techniques, see our website:
www.backcountryaccess.com.

Multiple Burials

If you begin to receive more than one set of signal data, you
probably have several victims within your receive range. Stay in
search (SE) mode, and focus on the closest distance reading,
attempting to engage that signal in the center search light. If you are
roughly the same distance from both transmitters, the Tracker will
often flash "SE".
Once you are significantly closer to one signal—and within about
ten meters of it—the Tracker DTS (in SE mode) will "lock" onto that
signal and mask out the others. Once you are locked in, the Tracker
will behave very similar to how it does in a single beacon search.
Pay attention to the readings you last received from the other
beacon; they will give you an indication of where to go after finding
the closest one.
Once you have located the first beacon, turn it off if you determine
the conditions are safe. If this is not possible, you might already have
a good idea of where beacon 2 is located. In that case, move in that
direction until the Tracker isolates that signal.
Special Techniques
In most cases, multiple burials are approached as a series of single
burials. However, special techniques might be helpful if there are
several rescuers available (so some can start shoveling), the victims
are in close proximity, and their beacons cannot be turned off. These
special techniques mainly apply to guides leading recreational
groups.
Three-Circle Method: If you suspect the next victim is in close
proximity (20 meters or less), use the three-circle method: Remain
in SE mode and take three steps away from the found victim (Figure
G). With the searching beacon on the snow surface, walk in a circle
of this radius around the victim, attempting to acquire another signal
in SE mode. If no other signal is acquired, take another three steps
back and repeat up to a maximum of three circles (nine steps). If a
new signal is acquired, pinpoint by bracketing. Always complete the
circle you have started. If no other signals are acquired, return to
the point where you abandoned the signal search and continue the
search (in SE mode) from there.
Operating Instructions
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