Snow and Avalanche Glossary

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Transceiver

Also: Avalanche Beacon

An electronic device used to help locate buried avalanche victims. When traveling in avalanche terrain the transceiver is turned on in transmit mode and worn inside clothing layers.

If one or more people is/are buried, the surviving rescuers switch their transceivers to receive and commence a search for the victim. Final pinpointing is aided greatly if a probe pole is available. The buried person is recovered with a shovel.

These transceivers only work with transceivers of a similar frequency and are not directional. The international frequency standard is now 457 kHz. At one time the US used a frequency of 2275 Hz. Old units using only that frequency are obsolete and should be replaced.

For more information, look in the CSAC Education section. Information on specific models is available in the CSAC store.

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