COUNTY SHERIFF’S HELICOPTER GETS NEW GEAR TO HELP LOCATE AVALANCHE VICTIMS March 04, 2010
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(EVERETT, WA) -- The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Air Operations unit recently acquired equipment that will aid in locating victims trapped in an avalanche.
A “Barryvox” avalanche beacon transceiver is coupled with an antenna that is mounted below the helicopter to conduct the search.
The helicopter can cover a large avalanche debris field and search for buried personnel equipped with avalanche beacons much more quickly than a team on foot.
To see the antenna in use CLICK PDF FILE AT RIGHT TO ENLARGE -- >
The special helicopter antenna was purchased through donations made to the Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue organization.
Swiss Electrical Engineer Manuel Genswein, developer of the helicopter antenna recently conducted three days of training with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Air Support Unit, including Fire District 26 personnel, the Helicopter Rescue Team, and Everett Mountain Rescue personnel.
A separate hand-held locating receiver can be used by one person in the helicopter to locate “Recco” chips.
These reflective chips are sewn into ski and other outdoor equipment and are used extensively by ski resorts. This additional technology allows rescuers to search for avalanche victims who are not wearing avalanche beacons.
This Recco receiver was issued to Everett Mountain Rescue organization at no cost from the Recco Company.
