AVALANCHE SEARCH & RESCUE DOGS

If it is not possible to conduct a search using electronic aids such as avalanche transceivers or RECCO detectors, trained search and rescue dogs are often the only way to efficiently search large areas without spending a long time probing. Therefore, search and rescue dogs will be at every avalanche the mountain rescue team attend. Important: Do not interrupt or distract the dog when it is searching! This means you should never talk to the dog and never eat, drink or do your business in the avalanche deposit zone.

AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER SEARCH

Even when the mountain rescue team is engaging in a professional rescue effort, the avalanche transceiver search is the number one priority. If you happen upon an avalanche accident close to the slope as a “passerby” and want to help, you should switch your avalanche transceiver to search mode, talk to the responsible head of operations and offer to help with the shoveling or probing. Under no circumstances should you jump into the rescue effort without instruction.

RECCO DETECTOR

A RECCO detector is an additional electronic search device that is used when nobody is able to receive a transceiver signal in the avalanche deposit zone. The detector sends out a search beam that is reflected by RECCO reflectors integrated into clothing, helmets, ski boots and other equipment. This way, burial victims can be precisely located. 

A RECCO detector search can be done from the ground and from a helicopter. It is important that the searcher can work with the RECCO detector in peace – reflectors in other rescuers’ equipment could create interfering signals if they are too close.

SLALOM PROBING 

If neither electronic aids or avalanche search and rescue dogs are available or successful, slalom probing is the last search method on an avalanche deposit zone. In this method, the rescuers stand in a line and systematically walk the deposit zone step by step, inserting a probe after each step. When the head of operations gives the command “forward”, the rescuers each take a step forward; on the command “probe”, they insert their probes. 

This search method requires a great deal of time and man power. If you come across an avalanche accident as a “passerby”, you can always help by joining the slalom probing effort – assuming you have the right equipment and know how to probe. (Source: mountainsafety.info)

CONVEYOR BELT SHOVELING 

Once you have located the burial victim, it is time to probe and then shovel. Systematic shoveling can gain important time that can save lives. 

The snow conveyor belt has established itself as the best shoveling strategy. Here, the shoveling area is split into several segments – depending on how many shovelers are available. Either one or two people then dig within each of these segments.  

The aim is to create a wide access ramp to the burial victim and dig toward their head as quickly as possible. If a shoveler at the front gets tired, they should switch places; or you should rotate positions every 60 seconds from the outset. As soon as you get close to the burial victim, start working carefully toward the head – at the end it is best to dig with your hands to avoid causing injury – then clear their airway. After this, the burial victim is to be completely freed and given first aid. (Source: mountainsafety.info)