bca Tracker S - Signal Search Path (One Searcher); Signal Search Path (Multiple Searchers); Coarse Search

ENGLISH
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Operating Instructions
Operating Instructions
20 m20 m
40 m40 m
Figure F
20 m
20 m
20 m
20 m
40m
40m
40m
20 m
avalanche path
Signal search path with one searcher
(slide wider than 40 meters).
Signal search path with multiple searchers
(slide wider than 40 meters).
Iftheslideiswiderthan40metersandthereisnolastseenpoint,cover
theentireslideareabyusingswitchbacksinthesearchpattern(FigureF).
If multiple rescuers are available, establish a search pattern where the
spacebetweensearchersisnomorethan40metersandthedistanceto
theedgesisnomorethan20meters.
Prior to the signal search, be sure that all transceivers are turned to search
mode.RotateTrackerSslowlybackandforth(FigureG)whilemoving
along your signal search pattern. While searching, be aware of other
physicalclues,suchasequipmentorextremitiesprotrudingfromthe
snowsurface.Whennosignalisdetected,“SE”willashinthedistance
indicator. Once a signal is detected consistently, mark this spot and begin
the coarse search.
Slowly rotate the Tracker horizontally in
your hand, but move rapidly during the
signal search. Do not abandon your search
path until you have captured a strong,
steady signal. Ignore irregular signals,
which can sometimes be caused by
electrical interference.
Figure G
Coarse Search: The coarse search is the portion of the search from where
you have detected a steady signal to where you are close to the victim.
Once the signal is consistently detected, rotate Tracker S slowly on a
horizontal plane until the center direction light
p
is blinking.
Tracker S is now pointed in the direction of the strongest signal. The four
lights on either side of center tell you which way to rotate Tracker S to
engage the center light. The distance indicator
k
tellsyou,inapproximate
meters,howfaryoumusttravel(1meter=1.1yardsor3.3feet).Ifthe
numberonthedistanceindicatorisincreasing,youareonthesameaxis
asthevictim’ssignal,butmovingintheoppositedirection.Turn180
degrees, engage the center search light again, and continue your search
in the direction Tracker S is pointing. If you are stationary, but the distance
issignicantlychanging,youareprobablydetectingthesignalofanother
rescuer. Make sure all rescuers are in search mode before continuing.
Youmayndthat,whilefollowingthedirectionallights,yourroutefollows
an arc. This is because Tracker S follows the shape of the electromagnetic
signal coming from the transmitting transceiver’s antenna. The distance
displayed is the distance to be traveled along that signal, not the straight-
line distance from you to the victim.