bca TRACKER2 User manual
ADVANCED
USER MANUAL
TRACKER
2™
Backcountry Access, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
www.backcountryaccess.com
1
No two avalanche rescue scenarios are the same.
row in more than one buried victim and a search can get
complicated and may require special searching techniques.
While most beacons on the market come standard with
multiple search functions, these cannot be considered
reliable in all burial situations. erefore, it is important for
rescuers to be well trained in more than one method for
solving multiple burials. rough special eld experience
BCA has determined that in some cases a searcher may
need to rely on special multiple search techniques to rescue
the victims. In the following section we highlight three
techniques that serious backcountry travelers and guides
should possess in their beacon searching knowledge.
It’s important to note that most multiple burials can be
approached as a series of single burials, solved either
“in series” or “in parallel.” (See www.backcountryaccess.
com/research) It’s also important to note that almost all
multiple burial searches are limited by the number of
shovelers available, which means beacon searching will
be the least of your worries. However, special techniques
may be benecial if there are enough rescuers available for
shoveling. ese techniques are mainly used and directed
toward professional guides and advanced beacon searchers.
Remember: it’s fun to go out and practice multiple burial
searching, and we encourage you to master it! But manpower,
group organization and excavation eciency play equally
important roles in real life avalanche rescue.
A note to guides:
A combination of these methods can help you pass any
complex exam scenario thrown your way. If you plan on
relying on a marking or special mode, you may be in for a
surprise when signals overlap. It’s crucial for you to be well
practiced and always have a quiver of search techniques to
pull from. To learn more about advanced search techniques
or to set up a “How to Pass a Beacon Exam” training
session, contact info@backcountryaccess.com.
1.ree-Circle Method:
most eective in large, at areas
is technique is used with your beacon in standard search
mode. It is most eective in large, at areas, as it is limited
to a radius of 20m around the rst victim and sometimes
requires walking uphill of the victim.
Figure A
Search (SE) mode
In search mode (SE), only the
strongest signal (beacon 1) is
shown. Signals further away
are received (beacon 2), but
not shown in the distance and
direction display.
2
To perform this method, stay in SE mode and take three
steps away from the found victim. 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 a new signal is acquired, begin bracketing
until it has been pinpointed. 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 and
pinpointed, return to the point where you abandoned the circle
search (in SE mode) and begin searching again from there.
ȝm
ȝm
Figure B
Three-Circle Method
When using the three-
circle method, walk
around beacon 1 in
concentric circles until
you detect the signal of
beacon 2. During the first
circle, keep the searching
beacon as close as
possible to the snow
surface.
2
2. Micro Search Strip Method:
Most eective in complex multiple burials in a reduced, or
smaller search area
is method allows a searcher to use a simple, systematic
approach to solve a multiple burial. It works well in small
scenarios (such as guiding exams) since it involves making
many small passes through the entire debris pile.
is method is benecial in situations where you have three
or more victims buried in close proximity: for example,
three victims within 12 meters of each other. Remember,
these techniques all assume there is only one searcher
available. With additional searchers you would search in
parallel (see www.backcountryaccess.com/research).
Based on the number of buried victims you will determine
how wide your search strips need to be (this is usually an
estimate as you’re “thinking on the y”). e width of your
search strip will decrease as the number of victims increases.
is technique is used with your beacon in standard search
mode. For this method to be successful the searcher must
rely heavily on the distance readings on the searching
beacon, not so much the directional arrows. is is because
it requires bracketing rather than following the ux lines.
Do not leave your micro-search strips and start bracketing
until you see distance readings that are less than or equal to
your search strip width. When this occurs, nd the lowest
distance reading and begin probing. Always mark the point
at which you departed from your search strips and return to
that point to resume searching for the next signal.
Figure C
3m
3m
3m
3m
3m
3m
3m
3m
1.5m
Micro Search Strips
A search strip width of
2-5 meters is common
in guiding exams and
other small scenarios.
xx
1.5m
3.Tracker Special Mode:
great for scenarios of 2-3 burials and solving
”close proximity” burials
is mode enables the Tracker 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 to dierentiate it from beacon 2.
SP mode is used to determine approximately what
direction and distance to go to get closer the beacon 2.
Once you are closer, always switch back to SE mode.
Remember, SP mode can be susceptible to the same
hang-ups as beacons with marking features.
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 slowly until another
signal is detected (beacon 2), most likely with a larger
distance reading. If the Tracker is rotated more than about
40° away from the signal of beacon 1, that signal will
disappear, allowing you to focus on the signal from beacon 2.
However, it is possible to capture more than one signal in
SP mode. 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).
Figure D
Special Mode
2
In special mode (SP), all signals are
shown, but Tracker2 acts as a “spotlight”
with narrowed vision: approximately 75°
in front and in back of the searching
beacon. Only the signals within this
angle (beacon 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 beacon 1 to beacon 2.
3
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 conrm the distance is decreasing
and which way the signal is trending. If more than one
signal is being displayed and it becomes unclear which 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.
4. How to pass a guiding exam
using a Tracker:
After 15 years of beacon searching with the world’s top
rescue personnel we found that strong beacon searchers
rely on a multitude of techniques, often combining two
or three, based on the scenario they are facing. Variables
such as the number of victims, the distance between
them and the victim’s depth of burial, make it nearly
impossible to promote one technique over another.
In fact, a complex beacon search may require a searcher to
act on the y and improvise techniques based on the how
the scenario unfolds.
e following hybrid technique is targeted directly at
those looking to pass a guiding exam and advanced users
looking to round out their searching arsenal. While no two
exams are the same, they all share similar characteristics:
ere is only one beacon searcher (yourself). All are held
in an area of 100m x 100m or less. You can usually count
on two beacons within close proximity of each other and
a third spaced 20m or more away. Out of the 3 beacons,
1-2 may be buried over 2m deep. Finally, in most guiding
exams you’re not allowed to turn o transmitters once
they’re found.
When you come into the search area be sure not to move
too far down the slope; you don’t want to travel back
uphill. Sometimes the transmitter can be tucked up high
on the anks and be easy to move past, especially if this
transmitter has a poor transmit strength or less than ideal
antenna orientation.
Enter the search area and begin your signal search if no
signal is being picked up. If a signal is immediately picked
up, but greater than 20m away, continue on your signal
search. Be sure to get within 20m of each ank and cover
the entire path. Do not abandon your signal search until
you get a reading lower than 20m. is will protect you
from missing a beacon that may not be transmitting ideally.
Once locked on to beacon #1, conduct the coarse and ne
searches and probe. Locate the rst beacon and take a
second to gather additional information.
If using a Tracker 2 and the multiple burial light is ashing
on and o, you know you have at least one additional victim
within close proximity (5m radius). is is the perfect
opportunity to use special mode. Special mode will open
up the search window to pick up all signals, not just the
strongest. Determine the direction of beacon #2 and go
get it. Remember, when the multi burial light is ashing
you are not going to have to move too far to nd the next
beacon. Keep your beacon close to the ground and move
slowly. Remember to go back to SE mode to lock in the
next signal when you get close.
Once it’s determined that the area around beacon
#1 has been thoroughly searched and each beacon located
you will go back to where you left your original signal
search to nd the nal beacon.
If you come to beacon #1 and the multiple burial light is
not ashing, you will most likely face the close proximity
portion next. Locate beacon #1 and enter special mode.
If no new distance readings appear in special mode when
you rotate the beacon 360°, return to where you left your
original signal search. Conduct the signal search until you
until you get a consistent signal within 20m. Enter the
coarse search, ne search and pinpoint. If the multiple
burial light is flashing now, you have another beacon
within a 5m radius. Enter special mode and locate.
Apply micro search strips or the three-circle method
if you have trouble with special mode.
4
Figure E
Typical Guiding Exam
A. Stick to a disciplined signal
search, only leaving your pattern
once the received signal is less
than 20 meters. Mark the point at
which you depart from your signal
search pattern.
B. Locate victim #1. If multiple burial
light is flashing use special mode to
view additional distance readings
C. If it is tough to determine
direction of beacon #2, due to close
proximity, use micro-search strips
2 meters apart.
D. Once victim #2 is located,
use SP mode to determine
location of victim #3. If no
new signal is found in SP mode,
return to where you abandoned the
signal search and continue on,
ignoring signals #1 and #2.
20m
20m
40m
40m
X
3
1
2
We have heard from several sources that it’s not uncommon
for two beacon to be “stacked” on top of one another in a
guides exam. is scenario may be tricky to solve because you’ll
receive two signals but the second signal will be dicult to
isolate. e scenario may look something like this: a reading of
1.2 meters and a reading of 1.8 meters. Be condent in the
information your beacon is providing. If you are sure that there
is not another signal in close proximity within 1 circle (from
the three-circle method technique) or one pass using micro-
search strips of 3m, you probably have some stacked signals.
Be aware! We get used to practicing for signals that are spread
out from one another on a horizontal plane. Practice searching
for multiple signals that are on a vertical plane, or stacked on
top of one another.
While no two scenarios are the same, the above provide you
with a solid framework to work through any complex scenario.
But, remember beacon searching is the easy part. Shoveling is
the ultimate crux in an avalanche rescue and the eciency of
your rescue will greatly depend on how much power you have
to dedicate towards excavation. Be sure to check out BCA’s
video on the “ABC’s and D of digging.”
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