OK HERE IS THE UPDATED STORY
I WROTE THE LAST POST IN HASTE
I was on my way out. here are some corrections:
The recco transmitter will work work at 100+ feet.
A avvy beacon or a cellphone might only work at 8ft.
END
Still once again:
Recco is no subsitute for a beacon.
I want to expand on this... by the time SAR comes looking, only about 13% survive (trying to remember that statistic from the powerpoint presentation). Companion or self rescue is what you should concentrate on. That is why it is no substitute for a beacon.
Recco is not *just* for body recovery, but a becaon is only a fancy corppse locator if your buddy doesn't have one too.
HOWEVER
As people have mentioned, implementation is still minimal in the US. Recco units are often given away free to resorts or rescue groups to speed the implementation by gear manufacturers of recco diodes. That is why many places have hte units. But, for example, Summit County Rescue Group currently does not deploy the recco units unless other search methods have failed due to the current rarity of recco diodes. We would much rather get a dog in there than a recco unit. This will probably change in the future as more things get recco diodes.
Quote:
Originally posted by phUnk
I will get Recco flavored clothing so the choppers can find me when they do their Random Recco Recon Runs. Or not.
You'll also note that my post about a metal detector was specific to finding lost skis. Putting these magical Recco wafers on skis, on the other hand, brings us back to the "what will they dig out of the avie, your skis or you?" question.
Also, buy a better beacon. Preferably one with a range greater than 20 ft. :rolleyes:
All points here are on the spot.
Especially on the skis since they are prone to come off (and you should lose them if possible).
I personally didn't hear anything about recco wafers in skis at the seminar I was just at (Dale Atkins, CAIC, gave a cool presentation of avalanche rescue technology, i'll make a post on the conference in a bit).
I think maybe the ski thing is a rumor?
It only makes sense to put the diode/reflector in items that rarely come off: boots, jackets, helmets. It makes no sense to put them in skis, poles, or packs (on that note... FOR GODS SAKES DON'T EVER WEAR YOUR BEACON IN YOUR PACK (i know you know but people still do it anyways and packs get found in 5 minutes with nobody attatched, the corpse gets found two hours later with a probe line)
If recco can more or less eventually eliminate the need for probe lines, SAR types will be very happy. Probe lines suck balls.
On the metal detectors... those are used in search missions as well... so is ground penetrating radar.
As to the dog beacons, I think those transmit on a different frequency just like the old ortovox ski maus ski beacons. If not, good point.
Dr. Crash... how much was that recco gun unit?
The Avalanche Handbook and Snow Sense say...
Ripzalot... I agree beacons are the best route... as I said... a recco reflector is no subistute for a beacon... only a suppliment. For a near weightless nonbattery powered $25 sytem, eveyone should have one of those too!
Poles and skis? Ditch em! Pack?
Quote:
"Whether or not a pack should be discarded is an open question. A bckpack limits maneuverability in flowing snow (particularly if heavy), but it prevents back injuries if obstacles are hit. Dropping a pack results in loss of rescue and first-aid equipment and clothing that might be needed later."
-The Avalanche Handbook by David McClung & Peter Schaerer, page 178
Survival Stratey Strategy when Caught Unprotected
(The Avalanche Handbook is pretty much the endall textbook on the subject)
Quote:
"If Possible discard cumbersome gear such as skis, ski poles, and pack (if it is heavy) although this is much easier said than done... You might, however want to keep a light pack with you as it may help protect your back and the gear in it will probably be helpfull in an emergency situation."
-Snow Sense by Jill Fredston & Doug Fesler, page 104 revised edition
Rescue Plan - As a Victim
Quote:
"4. Do not wear ski safety straps and ski pole wrist loops; skis and poles attatched to a person hold a body down in an avalanche. In addition, atatched skis and poles can cause injury by snagging trees and rocks or hitting their owner during descent in an avalacnhe. All skis used in potential avalanche terrain (including telemark and cross-country skis) should have release bindings"
-The Avalanche Handbook by David McClung & Peter Schaerer, page 175
Precautions When Traveling - Backcountry Travel
Those airbag packs would have all your gear in em too...
Many resorts have Recco detectors including Vail, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland, Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Alpental, Wolf Creek, and many more throughout Colorado... I don't kjnow what their deployment plans are for their recco detectors in the case of a slide.
