Originally Posted by SkaredShtles

This is all fine and dandy. I, however, just make sure that I go out with someone ELSE who is really good at beacon searches. I don't need to be.

Originally Posted by outdoorspro

Of course, having all the proper avy gear doesn't do anyone much good if you don't know how to use it, and PRACTICE usiing it so that you're good at it.

Ideally, you should be able to do a beacon search (this includes unzipping, getting out your beacon and switching it to receive) and finding (by probing) one buried person in five minutes or less. Also, know how to dig quickly and efficiently so that once you do find your buddy, you can dig them out in time to save him/her.

All this comes with practice. The best way to practice is on a steep slope in the type of terrain and conditions where avalanches happen, but when it's safe. Unpopular ski runs inside a ski area are great for this. Talk to your local ski patrol about a good place to practice--more than likely they'll be happy to help, maybe even bury a couple beacons for you. Some ski areas have established beacon practice courses that are open to the public. Just ask.

One other thing...save the plastic shovels for building kickers and carry a good metal shovel for backcountry use. Typical avy debris is nearly as hard as concrete. When i go backcountry with a buddy who carries a plastic shovel i always trade and let him carry my metal shovel. That way, if he has to dig ME out, he'll have a nice tough tool for the job.

Originally Posted by outdoorspro

<snip> Also, if you have an older, analog model

Originally Posted by outdoorspro

Remind me never to go out BC ridin' with you!

Originally Posted by SkaredShtles

What's particularly wrong with the older analog models?

Originally Posted by outdoorspro

<snip>

Like mentioned above, they are a good idea when in trees for tree-well searches. But the best way to avoid getting killed in a tree-well (second most common cause of skier/rider deaths) is to ride with friends and not leave each other behind.

Originally Posted by SkaredShtles

There's no such thing as friends on a powder day.

Originally Posted by outdoorspro

Nothing really, but you really need to make sure you have practiced and can use it effectively. The digital ones like the Tracker are much easier to use, especially with multiple burials. BTW, practicing multiple burials is ALWAYS a good idea.

Also, make sure you don't have a REALLY old one. All new beacons operate at 457 kHz. Older models operate at different frequencies (2.275 kHz) that the new beacons simply won't receive. If you have one that operates at 2.275 kHz, THROW IT AWAY! The split frequency models, like the Ortovox F2 divide their power between the two frequencies. They are not recommended either.

Like mentioned above, they are a good idea when in trees for tree-well searches. But the best way to avoid getting killed in a tree-well (second most common cause of skier/rider deaths) is to ride with friends and not leave each other behind.

Originally Posted by jabuttri

<snip> I would not recomend it for groups who are so ill informed to put multiple people at a time on a risky avalanche slope.