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Multiple Burials
If you begin to receive more than one set of signal data, you
probably have several victims within your receive range.
Stay in search (SE) mode, and focus on the closest distance
reading, attempting to engage that signal in the center
search light. If you are roughly the same distance from both
transmitters, the Tracker will often flash “SE”.
Once you are significantly closer to one signal—and within
about ten meters of it—the Tracker DTS (in SE mode) will
“lock” onto that signal and mask out the others. Once you are
locked in, the Tracker will behave very similar to how it does in
a single beacon search. Pay attention to the readings you last
received from the other beacon; they will give you an indication
of where to go after finding the closest one.
Once you have located the first beacon (beacon 1), turn it off
if you determine the conditions are safe. If this is not possible,
you might already have a good idea of where beacon 2 is
located. In that case, move in that direction until the Tracker
isolates that signal.
Special Techniques
In most cases, multiple burials are approached as a series of
single burials. However, special techniques might be helpful
if there are several rescuers available (so some can start
shoveling), the victims are in close proximity, and their beacons
cannot be turned off. These special techniques mainly apply to
guides leading recreational groups.
Three-Circle Method: If you suspect the next victim is in close
proximity (20 meters or less), use the three-circle method:
Remain in SE mode and take three steps away from the
found victim (Figure H). With the searching beacon on the
snow surface, walk in a circle of this radius around the victim,
attempting to acquire another signal in SE mode. If no other
signal is acquired, take another three steps back and repeat
up to a maximum of three circles (nine steps). If a new signal
is acquired, pinpoint by bracketing. Always complete the circle
you have started. If no other signals are acquired, return to the
point where you abandoned the signal search and continue the
search (in SE mode) from there.
Special Mode: For greater efficiency in close-proximity multiple
burials, use special (SP) mode. This mode enables the Tracker
Operating Instructions
to display the distance and direction of signals other than those
of the closest beacon. It also reduces the Tracker’s search
“window” to the center three directional lights, enabling the
searcher to mask out beacon 1 and differentiate it from beacon
2. SP mode is used to determine approximately what direction
and distance to go to get closer to beacon 2. Once you are
closer, always switch back to SE mode.
To use SP mode, first re-engage beacon 1 in your center
search light at the lowest possible distance reading. With the
center search light engaged, switch the Tracker to SP mode
(Figure I). Then rotate—do not sweep—the Tracker slowly until
another signal is detected (beacon 2), most likely with a larger
distance reading. If the Tracker is rotated more than about 40
degrees away from the flux line of beacon 1, that signal will
disappear, allowing you to focus on the signal from beacon 2.
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
flux line 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 beacon 2 than
beacon 1.
Operating Instructions
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Figure H
Multiple burials
In close proximity burials,
if the first victim’s beacon
cannot be turned off, stay
in SE mode and use the
“three circle method.”
Advanced users should
use SP mode.
