Materials and Methods
We received four transceivers from Mammut (Pulse) and Pieps (DSP). Mountain Equipment
Coop loaned us four Tracker DTS. Ortovox sent us four d3's and four S1's. We borrowed four
Ortovox F1 transceivers from the Canadian Ski Patrol System, Greater Vancouver Zone. We also
borrowed the Ortovox remote-controlled test system (five transmitters which can be remotely
turned on and off) from Mike Wiegele Heli Ski Resort at Blue River, BC.
The first session took place at Mike Wiegele's Resort in Blue River, using the heli-ski guides as
knowledgeable testers. These guides and their clients use the Ortovox F1. We created a simulated
avalanche 30 x 50 metres in size and buried the transmitters across the run-out area. The
transceiver manufacturers' instructions for use of each transceiver were given to each tester prior
to using each transceiver. We randomly turned on two of the five Ortovox transmitters then let
each tester (guide) enter at the top end of the “avalanche" to start a search grid until a signal
was received, at which time they were to follow the instructions from the applicable transceiver
manufacture. The time was measured from the entry until finding the second transmitter. Two
different test transmitters were switched on for every test. The results are shown in Appendix 1.
The second session took place at Hemlock Resort just east of Mission, BC. We created a
simulated avalanche 30 x 50 metres in size and buried the five Ortovox test transmitters across the
run-out area at the base of the “avalanche." The 15 students were divided into three groups and
each group had a different sequence of transceivers to test (to remove a learning effect whereby
the use of first transceivers could lead to improved times with the later transceivers). Using the
transceiver manufactures instructions, the groups were given a 30-minute instruction course with
practice prior to the testing of each transceiver. Two of the five test transmitters were switched on
and each novice tester was started at the top of the “avalanche," where a normal search pattern
was followed until a signal was received, at which time the instructions from the applicable
transceiver were followed. The time was measured from “avalanche" entry to marking of the
second transmitter. Two different test transmitters were switched on for every test. A time limit of
seven minutes was set to find the second transmitter. If this was not achieved the test was
declared as “not found." The results are shown in Appendix 2.
Results
In the hands of a knowledgeable user there was only a small difference in search times between
the two-antenna and the newer three-antenna transceivers. The fastest was the Ortovox d3 (avg 1
minute 13 sec), then the Tracker (1minute 35 sec), the Pieps (1 minute 36 sec), the Ortovox S1 (1
minute 38 sec) and the Mammut (1 minute 47 sec). The slowest was the Ortovox F1 (at a still
respectable 1 minute 56 sec). The standard deviation (STDEV) shows how much variation there
was in the times and a low number suggests a more consistent ease of use, ranging from the
Ortovox S1 at :23, Ortovox d3 at :31, Tracker at :32, Pieps at :36, Mammut at :47, and the
Ortovox F1 at 1:07. In the hands of an expert user there appears to be little difference in the
results using the multi-antenna transceivers and all are faster than the F1 which is nearing two
decades of use.
6 Time Is Life Video from the International Commission of Alpine Rescue (www.IKAR-CISA.org)
7 Canadian Avalanche Centre (www.avalanche.ca)
