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probed should be carefully but quickly laid out and the probing done systematically to cover each square foot of snow surface. Long poles are best for this purpose, but it is frequently necessary to use ski poles with the baskets removed, or reversed with the wrist-straps removed; or skis may be used. If the victims are not located in the anticipated position, the same systematic search should be extended, either moving from the initial point outward in all directions or starting from the top or bottom of the avalanche tip—whichever seems most likely to succeed quickly. The searchers can usually best be arranged in a line, about 3 or 4 feet apart. This line is moved slowly forward, keeping in perfect alignment, with each member sounding with his pole or ski from left to right, making his soundings one foot apart in each direction. If the avalanche is quite deep and the victims are not found by this method, it is necessary to dig trenches about 9 feet apart, which permit probing horizontally through from one trench to the next. |
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