• It helps if you were able to observe the point at which the victim was caught in the avalanche and the last seen point, i.e. the point where the person disappeared. This can narrow down the “primary search area” in very large avalanches. 

• The first thing to do is clarify who will coordinate the rescue, who will conduct an avalanche transceiver search, and who will help by preparing shovels and probes and supporting the searchers. The specific allocation of roles depends on how many rescuers are available in relation to the number of burial victims.  

• Finally, everyone involved in the rescue must switch their avalanche transceiver to either “search” or “standby”, or “off” if they preparing the shovels and probes and following the searchers. 

• If enough helpers are on site, one person should report the accident and alert the organized avalanche search and rescue (emergency call 112 ) while the search is underway. This person should also switch their avalanche transceiver to “standby” or “off” and make the emergency call away from the avalanche deposit zone; during this call, they must provide the exact location (coordinates) and number of burial victims. 

• If there is no cell phone signal, the companion search has priority. If there are not enough rescuers or you are alone, you must decide whether you should first alert search and rescue or first try to rescue the accident victim(s). 

• The searchers stand side by side in a line and walk systematically over the avalanche deposit zone (or the primary search area) in parallel search strips. According to the number of rescuers and the size of the search area, the search-strip width can be between 20 and 40 meters. If you are alone, you must walk down the search area in an S-shaped  or zigzag  pattern (meandering). 

• If you observed the accident from above, the primary search area is searched from the top down. If you are below or to the side of the avalanche deposit zone (2), you start searching from there. 

APPOINTING ROLES TO RESCUERS

First, the coordinator assigns the searchers and ensures that everyone has set their avalanche transceivers to either “search”, “standby” or “off” and are taking up the relevant positions. The coordinator also assigns helpers and instructs them to follow the searchers with shovels and probes at the ready.

If there are enough rescuers, the search-strip width can be narrowed down to 20 meters; if the search area is very large, modern avalanche transceivers can handle a strip width of up to 40 meters. Another person is instructed to make the emergency call. If resources are tight, the leader should coordinate the rescue and make the emergency call.  

SWITCHING OVER AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

The decision about whether the helpers can switch their transceivers to “off” must be made by the coordinator, depending on whether there is danger of a secondary avalanche. As a rule, secondary avalanches immediately after an initial avalanche are extremely rare. However, if they cannot be ruled out, all helpers should switch their devices to “standby” or “search” mode. In standby mode, modern devices will automatically switch to “transmit” after 1.5 to 2 minutes in the event of a burial.

MAKE AN EMERGENCY CALL

When alerting the emergency services, you must first and foremost provide the exact location of the accident; the best way is to provide the coordinates shown on your cell phone or determined using a map. To help, remember the “Four Ws and How Many”:

• WHAT happened? Avalanche accident with burial or a fall? 
• WHERE did it happen? Provide coordinates, give an exact description of your location using a map 
• HOW MANY people are affected? Provide the number of burial victims 
• WHO is reporting the accident? Provide your contact details and remain available for calls and questions 
• WHEN did it happen? Provide the exact time of the accident 

IMPORTANT EMERGENCY NUMBERS

In Europe, the pan-European emergency number is 112. This number will always connect you to a rescue coordination center that will forward the accident report to the appropriate rescue services. 

The various alpine states  also have their own alpine emergency numbers that will connect you directly to mountain search and rescue: 

• Austria: 140 – Mountain search and rescue (in Vorarlberg you can also dial 144) 

• Switzerland: 1414 – Swiss Air-Rescue Rega (if using a SIM card that is not from a Swiss network operator, call +41 333 333 333) / 144 – Valais mountain rescue 

• France: 15 – Chamonix mountain rescue 

• USA: 911

EMERGENCY CALL WITH NO SIGNAL

If your cell phone has no signal, you should turn it off. When you turn your phone off it usually asks whether you would like to make an emergency call. It should show an emergency call option once it is switched back on at the latest. In this mode, every cell phone can access all of the networks available in the reception area without the need of a pin.  

If an emergency call is still not possible, you must seek another location with better network coverage (e.g. on a hill or closer to infrastructure).

THE FOUR PHASES OF SEARCHING FOR AVALANCHE BURIAL VICTIMS 

The four phases in the search for avalanche burial victims are: 

Signal search:
In the signal search, the searcher systematically walks along the avalanche deposit zone awaiting the first reception of a signal from the burial victim. 

Coarse search:
In the coarse search, the searcher gets closer to the burial victim (three to five meters away). To do this, they follow the display on their avalanche transceiver, which will lead them in an arc along a field line to the burial victim.

Fine search: 
In the fine search, the suspected location of the victim is determined using an avalanche transceiver. To do this, the transceiver is moved in a “cross” pattern over the victim at close range, searching for the lowest distance value. This point marks the suspected burial location.

Pinpointing the location:
The victim’s exact burial location is now determined using an avalanche probe. Following the search, the burial victim is systematically shoveled free and given first aid. Each of the basic search phases has its “crucial points” that you should know and practice. 

PROBE DIRECTION

You should always begin in the middle, where you have marked the suspected burial location. From here, you move around the first probe point and then again around the inner nine probe points. With these 25 probe points, you will have quickly “scanned” approx. two square meters and should be able to locate the burial victim.

INSERT ANGLE

It is important to always insert the probe at the same angle: around 90 degrees to the snow surface. If you were to vary this angle, it would mean that a relatively large area below the surface would go unprobed.

SPEED AND GRID

To work efficiently, you need to keep up a swift pace while probing. You must also ensure that every area (insert hole) is probed only once and no area is missed.

PROBE DEPTH AND “HIT”

The probe should be inserted vigorously to a depth of at least one and a half times the closest distance displayed on the avalanche transceiver. If the closest distance and, therefore. the suspected burial depth is approx. one meter according to the avalanche transceiver, the probe should be inserted at least 1.5 meters deep (so for common probes with a segment length of 40cm this is down to the fourth segment). 

If the insert depth suddenly deviates from this, it is very likely a “hit” and you will feel a bouncy resistance. A human body underneath the snow feels soft and “bouncy”, while stones feel hard and make a “clack” sound and the ground feels soft and “sticky”. 

If you get a hit, the probe should stay in place to serve as a marker. You should begin shoveling from a distance of one and a half times the burial depth. If the deposit zone is sloped in this area, you should begin shoveling from below and work laterally toward the burial victim from there.