While avalanche probes are sometimes a little overlooked, they are a crucial part of the avalanche rescue kit consisting of shovel, probe and transceiver. Tests show that searches performed without a probe ie with just a transceiver and shovel, are considerably slower.
The probe is used to mark the exact location of the body. When your transceiver leads you to the spot where there is the least distance between you and the victim, then you begin to probe the area. The best technique is to probe the area in ever increasing circles, making each probe around half a metre apart. When the victim is located, the probe should be left in the snow as a marker. The depth of the victim needs to be taken into account as this will determine where you should start digging and let you know how far to dig down. Remember to probe at 90 degrees to the slope.
When it comes to buying a probe there are a few main criteria to look for - the material, the weight, the length, and the assembly function. Most modern probes assemble very quickly and easily - you simply toss the probe up and pull a cord that tightens and locks the probe in place. The pfa system on many of the Ortovox probes is especially fast and simple.
The length is an important feature. Generally a probe over 200cm is sufficient for non-professionals. However burials beyond this depth do happen, although the survival chances are slimmer.
The material is important. Both the carbon and aluminium probes are strong and unbreakable. The carbon models are, however, significantly lighter. Steel probes are the most durable and are often favoured by avalanche professionals who use them frequently, but they are heavy.
Grasp the probe with one hand (1) and pull the cable using the T-grip (2).
When you cannot pull the cable any longer, the probe is automatically tensioned and fixed.
Disassembly
Put one hand at the top of the probe (3), and put the other hand on the blue marking "Hold to release" (4)
Press the blue button "Pull to release" upwards with your thumb a few mm at the top of the probe (5) and keep the tension between your thumb and index finger.
Keep the button tensioned (6) and pull the tubes apart.
Simultaneously, using both hands, hold separately the top tube and the T-grip of the cable and throw the probe segments away from you. The probe segments settle into their couplings by shaking them gently.
Holding the lever up, place the swedge in its female end.
If appropriately placed, the lever will securely clamp down keeping the swedge and cable locked in place.
The tension can be increased (or decreased) by pulling the head's probe out of the first tube and by using pliers to turn the probe tip counterclockwise from the secure nut.
The tension can be increased by turning the thread bar. Make sure that the thread bar is locked in place with the secure nut to avoid unintentional opening.
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