Item: Searching in Parallel: Taking Advantage of Multiple Searchers in Transceiver Rescues
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Title: Searching in Parallel: Taking Advantage of Multiple Searchers in Transceiver Rescues
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop, Davos 2009, Proceedings
Authors:
- Dieter Stopper [ Certified UIAGM guide, BCA European Technical Director; Murnau am Staffelsee, Germany ]
- Franz Hohensinn [ Certified UIAGM guide, Austria Mountain Rescue Team; Grodig, Austria ]
- Bruce Edgerly [ Backcountry Access Inc.; Boulder, Colorado, USA ]
Date: 2009
Abstract: Searching in parallel is a technique that can be used in avalanche rescue scenarios where manpower and leadership are abundant and the number of buried victims is unknown. It is especially applicable at ski resorts and by search-and-rescue teams. The technique involves using as many searchers as possible with the objective of narrowing each rescuer’s search strip width. The rescue leader adjusts the search strip width according to the size of the debris area and the number of available searchers. Each searcher commits to the coarse and fine search only after their distance reading is lower than their designated search strip width. This eliminates redundancy and ensures that each searcher locates a different victim. If more than one victim is buried, then these search strips can be adjusted by the rescue leader, if necessary, after each victim is pinpointed. Searching in parallel reduces the necessity of using complex multiple-burial search methods and technologies. It can be used to harness large pools of relatively unskilled searchers with only basic training in the technique. Searching in parallel is more feasible than in the past due to the simplicity of modern digital avalanche transceivers. It should be considered for use by rescue teams and in professional avalanche courses, but only after the basics have been mastered, such as single-victim searching, probing, and shoveling.
Object ID: issw-2009-0671-0674.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: searching in parallel, searching in series, avalanche transceivers, avalanche beacons, multiple burials, probing, shovelling
Page Number(s): 671-674
Subjects: transceiver rescues multiple burials searching in parallel
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