Avalanche equipment

There is always avalanche danger when traveling during winter and off-piste skiing. Chances of a person caught in an avalanche being found and being rescued are increased when the search started immediately by the survived members of the group. However, everyone in the group should carry the necessary avalanche equipment and has to be trained how to use it.

Transceiver is an electronic device which can emit and receive radio waves. It helps to find buried people who carry such a device and switched it to receive mode. The device has leashes and should be carried under the jacket or in zipped pocket. These devices have sound or light indication and possibility to decrease and increase its sensitivity. When turned on, the light indicator shows the condition of the battery. One set of batteries provides functioning for hundreds of hours. There are avalanche transceivers in Bulgarian market but their use is limited because of their high price – over 500 Leva for new models. These devices are known by the name of the trade mark or manufacturer – PIPS, ORTOVOX, ARVA.

Avalanche probe is a long stick (2,5-3,5 m) consisting of different parts which can be easily assembled. When folded, the probe is not longer than 0,5 m and weighs 300-400 gr. The old models are to be assembled with screws which takes a lot of time. The new ones look like duralumin poles and the parts are assembled one inside the other with a thin robe which gets through all of them in order to secure its wholeness. That’s why the probe can be assembled for less than half a minute. There are also ski-sticks that can be used as avalanche probes.

Avalanche shovel – in most of the cases this is a sectional device that allows to dig out quickly persons caught in an avalanche or to make a bivouac (igloo or snow cave). The shovel is light and compact. It consists of two parts – blade and handle. The blade is made of plastic or aluminum. The aluminum shovels are much more stronger. Its side edges are slightly curved and very often have holes on it. The handle is about 50 см long and it is attached to the blade in special groove. There are two possible positions according to the blade – for digging and for lifting (perpendicular). There are shovels that consist only of blades and are to be used together with crampons as handles.