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7.6
Rescue – Excavating the Buried Subject
Size the area to be dug out generously. Pay attention
to the presence of an air pocket and avoid trampling
on top of the buried subject. Access the buried sub-
ject laterally. Digging must be practiced as well. It
takes by far the most time.
Cut out blocks of snow with the shovel. The lead shov-
eler of the group should be relieved from time to time.
Rotating clockwise at given intervals is easiest.
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C o m p a n i o n R e s c u e
7.5
Pinpointing with Transceiver and Probe Pole
Pinpointing the location of a buried subject is not
possible with a transceiver alone. The burial depth
and the orientation of the subject can be determined
easily and quickly with a probe pole. Starting at the
point with the lowest distance reading or loudest
tone, apply a spiral search pattern. Always probe at a
right angle to the snow surface.
If the buried subject is hit with the probe pole, the
pole is left in the snow. It serves as a guide while
excavating the buried subject.
The burial depth is also a triage criterion. In situa-
tions with limited resources deep burials are located
later.
