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Lecture tip | Avalanche rescue update 2021

ÖGSL lecture by Manual Genswein

by Lea Hartl • 04/19/2021
Before coronavirus, the monthly "SchneeSemmelnare" events organized by the Austrian Society for Snow and Avalanches (ÖGSL) were small lunchtime events in a seminar room in Innsbruck, usually with speakers from Tyrol. Since the switch to a digital format due to the pandemic, it has been possible to watch from anywhere and the speakers have also become more international: Manuel Genswein recently gave an update on companion rescue.

Genswein has been known for many years as an expert in rescue techniques and training strategies and has published extensively on topics such as search strip width, search strategies for multiple burials and avoiding interference with the avalanche transceiver signal due to external influences. In his ÖGSL presentation, he briefly introduces his platform MountainSafety.info and then gives an overview of the current state of affairs and doctrines regarding companion rescue in avalanche burials. The presentation (video at the end of this article) is aimed at an expert audience with sound prior knowledge and is not suitable as a first introduction to the topic. For those who are familiar with the topic, the talk is a recommended review of some of the theoretical basics (signal vs. noise, signal in deep burials, etc), with useful tips and updates for practice.

Comrade rescue in general

We know the curve that represents how quickly the probability of survival of buried victims decreases. Genswein compares the curve for North America and Europe and shows that the probability of survival decreases faster in NA, as proportionally more people die from trauma injuries there. In contrast to Europe, people in NA mainly ski in uncultivated landscapes and there are more avalanche accidents in the forest (because people ski more in the forest, not because the forest is more dangerous there), which often end fatally due to collisions with trees.

In the first 35 minutes of a burial, the chance of survival decreases by around 2% per minute (!). So every little bit that you are faster in the rescue really counts!

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Wear the avalanche transceiver correctly, avoid interference

The display should always point towards the body and the avalanche transceiver must always be worn under the top layer of clothing. If this is not possible, it should be placed in a zippered trouser pocket. This must of course be closed and you should not use a sewn-on pocket. Especially in spring, the avalanche transceiver is often worn in the carrying system without an overlying layer of clothing. In unfavorable cases, it can be torn off. This has happened several times in accidents and is not a "theoretical" problem!

In transmission mode, a distance of at least 20cm from metal objects, electrical devices, magnets etc. must be maintained. The majority of this is a safety margin, which is intended to guarantee that there is still sufficient distance even in the event of an unfavorable burial, for example if you come to rest in a bent position and the trouser pocket with the cell phone is suddenly closer to the avalanche transceiver. In search mode, the influence of sources of interference is much greater and the distance must be at least 0.5m with the devices switched off (!).

In professional operations (organized rescue), it is not always possible to maintain this distance, for example because you need to have a radio nearby. For such users, it is important to be able to recognize when there is a false signal (false positive) and to be aware that external sources of interference can lead to massive loss of range. In the presentation, Genswein clearly explains how the avalanche transceiver signal and more or less strong background noise overlap and gives tips on how to deal with this in professional operations.

For normal users who occasionally practice in the ski area, it is important to know that ski lifts, power lines, snow cannons, etc. are sources of interference and have a negative impact on range. are sources of interference and have a negative impact on the range.

Group test, avalanche transceiver search

The second section (from around minute 31 in the video) is about how to carry out the avalanche transceiver check and the search phases correctly. A double group test (search and send check for everyone) should be carried out when a new group is formed and at least once a week if you are out and about a lot. Otherwise, the single group test is performed (one searches, all others send). If available, always use the group test mode, as this enables a more comprehensive test and is usually designed in such a way that you cannot accidentally remain in search mode after the check. It is important that you do not go below the test distance of 1m. So: Setting the avalanche transceiver to search and holding it 5 cm in front of your colleague in the gondola does not count!!!

If the avalanche transceiver does not have a group test mode, the minimum distance for the check should not be less than 1 m either. The searching avalanche transceiver must display a distance of <2m.

During the signal search, the focus should also be on visually scanning the surroundings. It is advisable to hold the avalanche transceiver at the side of your head and not look at the display while walking along the avalanche cone. This makes it easier to see where you are going, where the others are and where the victim's equipment may be. When the avalanche transceiver receives a signal, it emits an acoustic signal. Once you have heard this, you can start concentrating on the display.

Good to know: The search coverage always ends where the visual horizon ends. The 457kHz waves of the avalanche transceiver cannot penetrate the ground and therefore cannot see through bumps and the like.

Many more details and other interesting topics in the presentation:

This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

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