Really interesting thread here: http://pistehors.com/news/forums/viewthread/398/
Discussion of a comparison test of different digital beacons (and one analogue) in the hands of experts and novices, in single and mutliple burial scenarios.
summary/comment from someone who seems to work for BCA:
Here’s my take regarding the Canadian beacon study that was presented at the ICAR meeting in Zermatt: it shows how little marginal difference there is in search times between all the digital beacons. The only statistically significant difference in search times was between the novices using F1’s versus the digital beacons. Between digital beacons, however, there were only differences on the order of seconds. Excavating those victims would take on the order of 10-20 minutes each. So what it really says is that the gains in survivability will be made during the shoveling phase, not the beacon search phase, even in multiple burials.
It’s interesting to note that there was no significant difference in the search times between the beacons with “marking” functions and those that simply use signal strength to isolate each beacon. The authors told me at ICAR that the people using the “marking” functions spent too much time pressing buttons and standing still, while the others were continuing to move through the debris. As we all know, beacons always work better when you just keep moving.
The guides involved in the study were all from Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing. They have been using F1’s for over a decade. And the F1 interface is very similar to the D3 interface. So the results certainly make good sense. I think it was a well-done study. In the past, most beacon tests have only involved professionals as the test subjects. But in this one, they included novices. They should be commended, as this is the vast majority of beacon users.
More on strategic shovelling: http://blog.alpineinstitute.com/2012/01/avalanche-shoveling-technique.html
which seems to be an easier to digest verion of this paper:
http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/services/safety/forms/shoveling_technique.pdf
As per the bit in bold above, well worth reading and practicing.
I’ve ridden with guides quite a few times, usually there’s some beacon practice, only once been told about shovelling techniques. That was on a longer trip, though, so time will be a factor. And it was in Canada, where the I think the guiding fraternity have had more focus on this subject.
Edit: not counting the Avalanche course.
