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If no other signal is captured in SP mode and you suspect victims are
nearby, stand up and try again at chest height. If still no other signal is
detected, take three steps back and repeat (or revert to SE mode and
use the three-circle method).
Once you have located another signal in SP mode, begin to move in
that direction. If the distance consistently decreases, you are going
in the right direction. Travel far enough in SP mode to confirm the
distance is decreasing and which way the signal is trending. If more
than one signal is being displayed and it becomes unclear which one
to pursue, continue in the direction you have been searching. Always
switch back to SE mode when you think you are getting closer to
transceiver 2 than transceiver 1.
After finding a victim, if no further signals are detected in SP mode,
then continue the search if there are still missing victims. Revert
to search mode and perform a signal search of the remaining
unchecked areas within the debris pile. Resume your signal search at
the point where it was originally abandoned.
For more details on multiple burials, please refer to our website:
www.backcountryaccess.com.
2
In special mode (SP), all signals are shown,
but Tracker2 acts as a “spotlight” with
narrowed vision: approximately 75 degrees in
front and in back of the searching transceiver.
Only the signals within this angle (transceiver
2) are shown. This 75°angle corresponds to
the Tracker’s center three lights.
Always switch back to search mode (SE)
when you’re more than halfway from
transceiver 1 to transceiver 2.
Figure J
In search mode (SE), only the
strongest signal (transceiver 1)
is shown. Signals further away
are received (transceiver 2), but
not shown in the distance and
direction display.
Figure I
Special Search Techniques
In most cases, multiple burials are approached as a series of single
burials. However, special techniques might be helpful if the victims’
transceivers cannot be turned off and there are several rescuers
available (so some can start shoveling while the best transceiver
user continues searching). These techniques are only necessary for
close-proximity situations, where two or more victims are suspected
to be very close to each other. If the victims are located less than
about five meters from each other, then it is possible to move past
a signal without it being detected. If the victims are suspected to
be further apart than this, then it is quite simple to continue on your
signal search until the second victim’s signal is captured and isolated
by your Tracker. In the case of suspected close-proximity multiple
burials (with more than one rescuer available), we suggest the
following special techniques:
Three-Circle Method: This technique involves remaining in SE
mode and making concentric circles around the location of the first
victim until another signal is detected. It is most effective in large
deposition areas and low-angle terrain.
Micro-Search Strip Method: This technique is more useful in
smaller debris areas, like those often encountered in guiding exams.
The user remains in SE mode and crisscrosses the debris pile in
strips three to five meters apart until the next signal is detected.
For detailed instructions on using the special techniques above, see
our Advanced Tracker Manuals at www.backcountryaccess.com.
Special Mode: For greatest efficiency in “special case” close-
proximity multiple burials, use special (SP) mode. This mode enables
the Tracker to display the distance and direction of signals other
than those of the closest transceiver (Figures I, J). It also reduces
the Tracker’s search “window” to the center three directional lights,
enabling the searcher to mask out transceiver 1 and differentiate
it from transceiver 2. SP mode is used to determine approximately
what direction and distance to go to get closer to transceiver 2. Once
you are closer, always switch back to SE mode.
To use SP mode, hold the Tracker steady at the lowest possible
distance reading. Switch the Tracker to SP mode, then rotate—do
not sweep—the Tracker gradually until another signal is detected
(transceiver 2), most likely with a larger distance reading. If the
Tracker is rotated more than about 40 degrees away from the signal
of transceiver 1, that signal will disappear, allowing you to focus on the
signal from transceiver 2. However, it is possible to capture more than
one signal in SP mode.
Special Search Techniques
