Does wearing a transceiver make winter mountaineering safer?
A. Transceivers make it easier for other members of your party to find you if you’re buried. But this is dependant on all members of the group not only wearing them, but being proficient in their use. Transceivers should never be used as a justification for venturing into hazardous avalanche terrain and avoiding normal safety precautions – they won’t stop you being injured if you’re swept away, but just make it easier for your body to be found. Q. What is critical when trying to rescue people buried in an avalanche? A. Speed is of the essence in an avalanche incident and an immediate search is vital. If uninjured and totally buried in an avalanche there is a 90% chance of being recovered alive if dug out in less than 15 minutes. If you witness someone caught in an avalanche, try to mark the point where they were last seen and work out where they are likely to end up. Try to attract the attention of others in the area who can help. Be aware of the danger of further avalanches, especiall
