Waiting for snow? Practice your beacon searches!

[DropCliffsNotBombs]

Before the season hits and you don't have the time (because the skiing is just so good), get your regular BC skiing partners together and practice, practice, practice! I have found that some of my buddies (the ones with all the new gear) in reality, have horrible beacon skills! See how fast your partners can even switch their beacons from transmit to receive! You might be surprised...

[sammy5]

The funny thing is you realise how important these practices are about 5 minutes into your first one...
NB; switching to 'receive' and pointing at your mate 2 metres away in the lift line does NOT count! It's getting to the 2m point that can be remarkably tricky if you aren't used to it. I was humbled the first time I practiced with my beacon; a full year after buying it.

[snoweater]

"See how fast your partners can even switch their beacons from transmit to receive"

not to mention get it out of the harness/pocket...

bump for good advice.

[monkeywrenchMoose]

I am a big fan of practicing with all your gear on and timing it. All the little things (taking off gloves to get to beacon, switching beacon to transmit, deciding what to do with skis, taking out and setting up probe and shovel etc.) really add up. Even if you don't have any snow or another beacon to practice with, practice how quickly you can get your shovel and probe out and assembled. Can be very humbling.

[Jer]

Hey - and while you're at it - TAKE A CPR CLASS! I know I may sound like a broken record, but everybody here repeats the "practice, practise,practice" mantra endlessly (which is good), but nothing is ever said about after you find your unresponsive parter with your lightening quick search skills. There currently is no beacon on the market that will re-start a guys heart ot get him breathing again.

[monkeywrenchMoose]

There currently is no beacon on the market that will re-start a guys heart ot get him breathing again.

Which is why I always carry a full size ICU in my pack. Never can be too prepared.

Seriously though, CPR is something that needs regular practice just like beacon searches. A basic first aid knowledge doesn't hurt either.

[Lonnie]

For great fun for all beacon searches, have the nighborhood kids hide your spare beacon in a vacant lot for you.

[snoweater]

As long as you trust the kid not to hide it on ebay...

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

I was actually thinking about this the other day - my goal for 2010 is really to practice MUCH more. There are several beacon facilities in and around Tahoe, as well as obviously setting up your own scenarios with your partners.

I have also seen some good advice on here for methods to search when away from the snow.

I am just curious to the collective - how often do you practice? What are your preferred methods (in and way from snow)? Do you concentrate on singles or multiples (or both). Do you actually practice digging/probing as well? When do you practice (down days, overnight tours, etc...)?

Just trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks.

[Crampedon]

On Maui we practice on the beach, bury two beacons in ziplocs in the sand.

The homeless dude living in the bushes thought they were mini metal-detectors and we were looking for lost jewelry!