THE ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AVALANCHE TRANCEIVERS AND LOCATOR BEACONS

We’re hearing of backcountry users who have made the assumption that a locator beacon (such as a SPOT) can do the same things as an avalanche transceiver. This is not the case and is a very dangerous mistake to make. An avalanche transceiver is a highly specialized device, designed for one purpose—avalanche rescue. A transceiver is one of the essential three pieces of avalanche safety equipment, along with a shovel and probe. 

Transceivers

Sends and receives an electronic signal to other transceivers

- In the backcountry, everyone in the group has their transceivers on "send"

- When a person is buried, companions turn their transceivers to "receive" and home in on the "send" signal from the buried person

 SPOT Beacons

Sends a signal to a satellite, which notifies a central system based in Texas, which then alerts local RCMP

- Can also be used to send an "OK" signal, or to summon non-emergency help

- For more information on features, check findmespot.ca

Five minutes after an avalanche, you’ve got an 80% chance of recovering a buried victim alive. After 20 minutes, there’s only a 35% chance of a live recovery. If your group is involved in an avalanche, you don’t have time to send a signal to Texas. Make sure everyone you ride with has an avalanche transceiver, and knows how to use it.

ABC Snowmobile Clubs strongly encourages all mountain snowmobiliers to purchase an annual Friends Membership in the Canadian Avalanche Centre.  The cost is only $20.00, it will be the best $20.00 you have ever spent on snowmobiling.  Please see the attached information for a mountain snowmobilier customized application for a CAC Friends Membership.

Recommended Emergency Gear for Snowmobilers in BC

Please note:

• The high-tech snowmobile clothing that breathes so well does not keep you warm when you stop moving so it is essential that you carry a wool top or wear a wool layer.
• Plastic zip lock freezer bags are waterproof, and are great for storing emergency gear in.  Also waterproof bags for water sports work well to keep gear dry.
• Never panic, do not leave your sleds and start walking.  People searching for you will be looking for sleds and their tracks.  As a last resort you may want to burn your sled.
• SPOT satellite transmitters are not a replacement for avalanche transceivers.  SPOTS can bring help in hours, but are absolutely useless for finding a companion buried in an avalanche, who has perhaps "minutes to live".
• When reporting your location always use the proper legal name for the area, not the local nickname.

ABC Snowmobile Clubs Director Arnold Weid makes the presentation of money raised in this years WINTERFEST, on the Timmy`s Christmas Telethon.

  Thank You to all of the clubs that participated!

Please click the picture above to watch the video

Click the above logo to enter the I.S.M.A. website to get more information about

"Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week"

as well as CONTEST details!

Please click above to register your club for the

ABC Snowmobile Clubs  

WINTERFEST 2012

 Important information for backcountry resource road users

Find out what we have been up to, and what we are planning for the future.

Find out what is happening with ABC Snowmobile Clubs as we work on behalf of all snowmobilers, by clicking on the link below.

Al Hodgson with his award, with Tracy Senio, ABCSC director on the left

Have you been part of an avalanche incident that involved an avalanche balloon pack, or are you are aware of such an incident?  The CAA is conducting an Avalanche Balloon Pack Study.

Randy Swenson, BCA Float 30 Pack

Backcountry enthusiasts will now have access to better information for evaluating snow conditions and assessing avalanche risks, thanks to new avalanche awareness signage around the province.

ABC Snowmobile Clubs welcomes the Mica Mountain Riders Association (MMRA) to our family of member clubs. The MMRA is based out of 100 Mile House they ride the Mica Mountain area 70 kilometers east of 100 Mile House. The Mica Mountain area provides great riding opportunities but is also critical Mountain Caribou habitat that the Mica Mountain Riders Association is engaged in managing through a Stewardship Management Agreement with the Environment Ministry of BC. The MMRA also provides a groomed trail access into the area and collects fees through the sale of Trail Passes to support the grooming activities. They are a youthful progressive group working to secure the future of snowmobiling in the area. Their website is http://www.micamountainriders.com/.