Avalanian set: important points in the essential kit of each winter mountain excursion

The set of avalanches, composed of a avalanche detector, a probe and a snow shovel, is essential for travel outside the slopes, whether it is winter alpine, mountaineering or skiing. This basic set allows you to find and save people who have been buried in an avalanche. Find out how the various pieces of avalanche equipment work and what you need to consider when you buy them.

The avalanche set consists of an avalanche detector, a probe and a snow shovel And it is a basic set that each winter explorer should have in order to increase the chances of helping people after triggering an avalanche and guaranteeing their safety. In addition, you can reduce the risk of being completely buried under an avalanche and you can increase the possibilities to survive under the snow masses for a longer period of time, completing the above set Avalanche backpack with floatingwhich, if used correctly, acts by airbags.

The avalanche detector

It is an electronic device that uses 457 kHz radio signals and works in two ways: emission (it must be activated at the beginning of the shipment) and reception (it is activated after the avalanche has calm and allows the victim’s position). The avalanche probe It looks like a folding stick. Its main task is carefully determining the position of a buried person. The last element of the avalanche set is a snowWith which you can dig and move the faster and more efficient snow. It is worth remembering that only a complete set of avalanches increases the possibilities of a successful rescue operation.

What time after an avalanche started to go down, should a rescue operation began to increase the possibilities of rescue of a person who was worn by the snow masses and is completely buried? The first 15-18 minutes are the most important. Rescuers usually need more time to reach the accident site, especially if a helicopter is not available. Therefore, it is extremely important for those who are closest to the place of the avalanche to take the measurements as soon as possible to save the person or buried people. Time and knowledge of what must be done in such a situation is one thing. The second essential element is the right equipment, i.e. the set of avalanches, which allows, among others, that the victims of avalanche adopt the necessary measures to avoid an avalanche:

• Quickly identifies the buried person and starts rescue measures of life;
• determine the exact position of the victim and the depth of;
• Improvement of work in the avalanche.

The avalanche detector is a digital device that transmits (sending) and receives (search) the radio signal sent by other detectors every second. With the transmission mode, the avalanche detector can follow the area in which the buried person must look for. The reception mode is activated as soon as the search begins, allowing you to see the distance from the victim and the direction in which you have to go.

The avalanche detector should be worn suspended around the chest in a protective bag (e.g. neoprene) under clothing. When you buy one, pay attention to features such as: the number of antennas (versions are recommended with at least 3 antennas, because they have a better and more stable signal), water resistance, a large screen with background lighting, resistant material, impact resistant accommodation, ease of use or even with gloves, always looks at the screen and will not lose any signal) and the opportunity to report more people. It is a good idea that has a marking function, that is, marking the signals that have already been found. At the beginning of each path, we start the detector and check if it is visible for the rest of the equipment.

The avalanche probe is a stick equipped with a scale (which can have colored segments) that helps determine the exact position and depth of a buried person and therefore increase the possibilities of survival. It is better to choose a model made of aluminum or light and lasting carbon fiber, equipped with an internal line of kevlar or steel. It should provide a quick performance function (e.g. quick block) and have a length of at least 240 cm (professionals and rescuers use 320 cm long models). When you buy, make sure that the probe has a strengthened tip, with a diameter large enough to be able to pierce more easily, a belt to put it on the hand and that can be efficiently operated with gloves.

A good avalanche shovel should measure 28 × 25 cm

be light and have a resistant and torsion resistant altarpiece (for example, hot and anodized aluminum). A model with high sides and a shovel with the upper flat edge covered with non -slip materials, so that the shoes do not slip during the excavation, represent the optimal solution. This form also guarantees a cleaning and cutting of snow blocks. A practical solution would be a model with a telescopic handle: the folding handle allows you to adjust the length according to your needs and also facilitate the storage and transport of the instrument. You can also find a snow shovel on the market with the option of attachment to the backpack to save space. Pay attention to the handle: it should be T -shaped (preferably with a switching function to switching and left) or D and have a non -slip layer to maintain a stop.

A floating backpack can easily reduce the risk of being completely buried during a downstream: it will float your body near the upper snow layer and keep you above the stones and other objects raised by the snow masses. All you have to do is pull the handle dedicated at the right time to get the airbag. The Orthovox brand, for example, uses pressure systems that swell the air cushion released by a cartridge inside the backpack (JetForce). Another solution is a system based on compressed gas cylinders, which represents a separate part.

It is important to note that keeping and using a floating backpack in the event of an avalanche does not guarantee total safety and unharmed recovery. It is also important to know how to use this equipment to avoid injuries caused, for example, to stop snow masses or not to ski/snowboard tools.

It is worth remembering that even the most advanced equipment may be useless if you do not have adequate safety formation in case of avalanche and if you have not practiced actions to be taken in an avalanche.. Make sure to participate in a winter tourism course or in a preparation course for avalanchesIn which you will learn, among other things, how to use the set of avalanches and the most important aspects relating to avalanches in the mountains (as they are produced, if they can be avoided, how to behave on a field of avalanches, which types of snow exists, etc.). It will also help you equip an adequate avalanche set.

It is also important to use the equipment in practice and improve your skills to use it. You can organize situations with friends where, for example, to bury a backpack and try to detect it with a detector, then carefully polish the area and start looking and dig with a shovel.

The sets of high -quality proven avalanches from respected manufacturers such as: Orthovox, Pieps, Salewa and Black Diamondyou complete them with Sporto.ro.