HOW TO CHOOSE AN AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER

Read our guide to discover the right gear to keep you safe on the mountain...

An avalanche transceiver is an essential part of any backcountry safety setup along with your shovel and probe, so it’s vital you find the right one for you and know how to use it. Read our guide to find out the basics of using an transceiver:

What This Guide Will Teach You:

This guide will take you through the following key information:

What is an avalanche transceiver?
Types of avalanche transceivers
How much are avalanche transceivers?
Our range of avalanche transceivers
How to use an avalanche transceiver
The importance of RECCO® reflectors

Our stores also stock a wide range of avalanche transceivers. If in doubt about the best gear for you, visit us in-store for expert advice and recommendations from our experts.

What is an Avalanche Transceiver?

An avalanche transceiver or avalanche beacon is a device that emits a pulsed radio signal that can then be received and read by another transceiver. Avalanche transceivers and beacons are able to find and locate avalanche victims in the rare event they become buried under the snow.

Avalanche transceivers are specially designed and created to be easy to use in the event of an emergency, but it's also best to ensure you know how to use one before you hit the mountain.

Most European and North American resorts have companies that offer avalanche safety training where you learn about the dangers of backcountry, how to lessen them, and further understanding of snowpack and stability and avalanche safety equipment and rescue. You can also find these classes in most UK snow domes.

Types of Avalanche Transceiver

Avalanche transceivers can be analog or digital. The main difference is how they allow you to understand the data. Today, most transceivers you will find in-stores and online are digital transceivers due to continued technological advancements in avalanche safety equipment.

Digital transceiver - Digital transceivers are now the most common type of avalanche transceiver. They use multiple antennas and microprocessors to translate the transmitted data into an audible signal and visual display, giving you precise information such as direction and distance to help find victims.

Analog transceiver - Analog transceivers give out audible beeps that get louder as you approach a buried victim or another transceiver. While they generally have a wider send and receive range than other transceivers, they require more user knowledge and practice.

Number of Antenna

Traditional transceivers often only have one antenna. Later digital models often have two or three, allowing you to choose the ‘best’ antenna. The more antennas, the better to allow for maximum search capabilities.

Types of Battery

Although most digital transceivers now use rechargable low-temperature batteries that are more long-lasting and environmentally friendly, it's still a good idea to always carry spares with you regardless of your transciever's type, just in case.

How much are Avalanche Transceivers?

Avalanche transceivers vary in price depending on the number of antennas, the type of display, microprocessor, and other key in-built features. More expensive transceivers usually offer a choice of search modes from basic to advanced visual and acoustic, bluetooth and digital functions, multiple burial functions, and a more advanced battery type.

Our Range of Avalanche Transceivers:

How to Use an Avalanche Transceiver

Although it's great to get acquainted with your avalanche safety equipment at home, it's always a great idea to try and use your avalanche transceiver in a realistic setting before you head out. Most resorts will offer a practise area, so make sure to check in advance,

There's no skirting around it - riding backcountry is dangerous. Regardless of how experienced you are, ensure you understand the risks and go as prepared as possible. Always carry your backcountry safety essentials: an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and a probe - and KNOW how to use them in advance.

Searches with multiple burials

Most transceivers are easy to operate and function similarly, especially in a single victim search. In the event of multiple burials, different brands will display and mask or ‘flag’ found victims differently. They will either show you a number or several victim icons. You should also be able to ignore a signal after you locate and mark it to allow you to locate further victims. Multiple burial searches are tricky and considered an advanced skill, so practising multiple-person rescues with your transceiver is vital.

How to wear an avalanche transceiver

It’s essential to always wear your transceiver under at least one layer of clothing. In the event of an avalanche, you don’t want your transceiver to get separated from you, so storing it under a layer prevents it from getting lost from your person. In addition, many brands offer a harness system on their transceivers to ensure they stay securely in place.

Using different brands of transceivers together

Modern transceivers are compatible with each other and use the international standard 457kHz frequency. Older transceivers pre-1986 will use the 2.275kHz frequency, so it's best to avoid using these. Some transceivers can transmit and receive data on a separate W-Link frequency (868MHz for Europe or 915MHz for North America.) The W-Link is usually for data other than the victim's location.

The Importance of RECCO® Reflectors

RECCO® reflectors are small electronic chips often built into skiing and snowboarding jackets, pants, boots, and accessories like gloves and hats. The system works by bouncing back a radar signal to the searcher unrelated to the 457 kHz beacon frequency. A search and rescue team with a corresponding RECCO® detector unit can locate a buried victim wearing a reflector in ground and air searches. It's important to remember, however, that RECCO® reflectors are strictly passive devices, and the RECCO® wearer cannot conduct a search for a buried victim.

Remember: RECCO® reflectors are never a substitute for avalanche transceivers while in the backcountry.