The Search

How the search works

1. 

   1

   Alert, switch over

   Stay calm, get an overview and remember the last seen point. One person calls the emergency number (112) and stays 25 m away from the searchers; everyone else switches their transceiver to search.

2. 

   2

   Signal search

   Move quickly downhill from the last seen point and watch the debris. A transceiver with an 80 m search strip such as the Focus Voice picks up signals up to 40 m on each side.

3. 

   3

   Coarse search

   Follow the arrow. It leads along a curved field line, not in a straight line. If the numbers rise, turn around. Below 10 m slow down, from 5 m lower the device towards the snow.

4. 

   4

   Fine search

   Below 3 m the arrow disappears. Hold the device just above the snow, do not turn it, about 25 to 30 cm per second. One axis to the lowest value, then across it. Mark the spot.

5. 

   5

   Probing

   At right angles to the snow surface, in a spiral from the inside out, about every 20 cm. A body feels soft and springy. After a hit, the probe stays in.

6. 

   6

   Shovelling

   Start downhill at 1.5 times the burial depth, three people in a V, rotate every 60 seconds. Digging usually takes the longest, often 4 to 5 minutes.

What experienced rescuers do differently

• They check everyone’s transceiver before every tour.
• They assign roles first: one person coordinates, one calls for help, every device is on search or switched off.
• In the signal search they move fast and watch the debris, not only the display.
• The closer they get, the slower they move, so they do not walk past the buried person.
• They do not hunt for the perfect value. They mark the lowest value and probe, which is faster.
• They practise regularly, including probing and digging, not only the transceiver search.