bca Tracker S - Display Visibility; Search Preparation; Power Supply; Trailhead Test

ENGLISH
1110
Operating Instructions
Familiarization
Searching
TrackerSoperatesusingthe457kHzinternationalstandardfrequency.
It is fully compatible with all avalanche transceivers adhering to
thisstandard.Donotusewith457kHztransceiversdesignedfor
firefighter rescue.
When searching, keep Tracker S at least 20” (50 cm) away from
electrical equipment, including cell phones and video cameras.
Turn all non-essential electrical equipment o if possible.
Thesearchprocessincludesfourphases:thesignalsearch,thecoarse
search,thenesearch,andthepinpointing/probingphase(SeeFigureE).
Figure E
20 m
20 m
20 m
avalanche path
40m
Objective: Locate signal
•Ifno"lastseenarea,"searchentirepath
•RotateTrackerbackandforthhorizontally
•Max40mbetweensearchersorswitchbacks
Objective: Locate smallest distance reading
(strongest signal)
•UseTrackerSclosetosnowsurface
•Confirmlowestdistancereadingby“bracketing”
•Beginprobingatlowestdistance
Objective: Move quickly to 10 m, slowly to 3 m
•Followgeneraldirectionofcenter3lights
•Makesuredistancereadingsaredecreasing
•Slowdownat10m
SIGNAL
SEARCH
> 40 m
FINE
SEARCH
< 3 m
COARSE
SEARCH
3–40 m
Signal Search: The signal search refers to the process of establishing a
searchpatternandlookingforasignal.Thesearchpatternwillbedened
by the victim’s last seen area, the size of the slide, and the number of
searchers.RefertoFigureFtoestablishasignalsearchpattern.Iftheslide
islessthan40meterswide,thesignalsearchpathwillbedirectlyupor
downthecenter.Ifthevictim’slastseenareaiswelldened,thesignal
searchwillfollowadirectpathalongthefallline(upordown)fromthispoint.
Distance/directional display should be against your body and transmit light
shouldbeexposedandvisible.
To search, remove Tracker S from its pouch, but keep the harness on and
lanyard attached. If using without a harness, keep Tracker S in a secure
pocket, preferably in your pants or other garment that won’t be removed
while traveling in the backcountry. Attach the lanyard clip to a belt or
othersolidxture.Ifthelanyardisremovedfromharnessorclothingfor
searching, keep it attached to your wrist with the loop provided.
Power Supply
Tracker S operates with three AAA alkaline batteries. Use only high-quality
alkaline batteries of identical age and brand. Do not use rechargeable,
lithium,Oxyride,PowerPixoranyothernon-alkalinebattery.Replacewith
fresh batteries at the beginning of every season.
IfTrackerSisexposedtoexcessivemoisture,openthebatterydoor
m
to help allow the unit to dry. To prevent corrosion of contacts, remove
batteriesduringextendedperiodsofinactivity.Themanufacturerdoesnot
warranty damage caused by battery corrosion.
Trailhead Test
Alwaysperformatrailhead(or“group”)functiontestatthestartofevery
trip. Make sure that your search and transmit functions work, the display is
readable, and the batteries have adequate charge. In addition, a range test
should be performed if there are any changes within the group.
Range Test
If your group has new members, new transceivers, or there is any reason to
suspect there is a transceiver with compromised performance, start your trip with
a range test in addition to the trailhead function test. Do not proceed to avalanche
terrainiftherangebetweenanytwotransceiversislessthan20meters.
For details on how to perform function and range tests, please see
www.backcountryaccess.com/education.