We see and potentially carry, more and more gadgets including: “smartphones”, GPS devices, digital cameras with GPS built-in, GoPro’s, etc.
However the effects of “Consumer Electronics” on Avalanche Transceivers is sobering. The long and short of it is “turn it off”. (If carried they should be more stowed more than 30cm from the transceiver – in a backpack).
The effect is most marked in the “Search” (Receive) mode as the signal searched for is masked by the electronic “noise” of the other device(s). This can make it very, very difficult to locate the victim and remember – every second, minute counts.
Don’t forget that some digital cameras have a built-in GPS to location “stamp” where photographs are taken. These too should be off and stowed at least 30cm from the transceiver.
The document in this link shows graphs clearly demonstrating “The Effect of Consumer Electronics” on avalanche transceivers from “Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, 2014” Link: http://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW14_paper_P4.13.pdf
Staying in a Mountain Refuge
