Avalanche Rescue Operation

Overview

The Aegis-Beacon is an emergency radio-location device, not a certified avalanche transceiver. In an avalanche scenario it can supplement, never replace, a proper 457 kHz avalanche beacon and the training that goes with it. This page describes how a rescue could use the Aegis-Beacon’s SEARCH and GPS payloads.

Understanding the Difference

Device	Frequency	Purpose
Certified avalanche transceiver	457 kHz	Primary companion rescue
Aegis-Beacon SEARCH	433 MHz RSSI scan	Supplementary locating aid
Aegis-Beacon BEACON	433 MHz CW	Position reporting to rescuers

If You Are the Survivor

1. Switch to SEARCH mode immediately (short press MODE).
2. Keep the antenna vertical and scan the debris field.
3. Listen for the RSSI audio pitch and watch the hit log.
4. Prioritize visual clues and the 457 kHz transceiver if present.

If You Are Buried

1. Hold MODE for 2 s to enter EMERGENCY: continuous max-power TX.
2. Protect your airway and conserve energy.
3. The beacon transmits SOS DE [NAME] PSN [LAT] [LON] plus a continuous tone.
4. EMERGENCY runs ~12 h on a 2000 mAh cell; it will outlast the critical window.

Realistic Limits

• 433 MHz attenuates ~3 dB/m in wet snow. A 1 m burial costs ~3-9 dB.
• SEARCH directionality is weak; treat the pitch as a proximity clue, not a bearing.
• GPS accuracy is ~185 m at DDM precision - enough to define a search area, not a point.

Related Pages

• EMERGENCY Mode
• SEARCH Mode
• Field Deployment
• Safety Guidelines