bca Tracker DTS Instruction Manual page 2

The Tracker DTS Instruction Guide is a resource for avalanche educators and others teaching on-snow
transceiver use. The objective is to help educators teach students how to properly use the Tracker DTS.
However, this guide is equally applicable to other digital beacons and can be used for general avalanche
transceiver training, whatever the brand. The guide is most effective when used with the BCA flux diagram
and our beacon training video, "Tracker 101." These can be ordered from BCA by calling (800)670-8735.
As a supplement to the Instruction Guide, we offer the Tracker DTS Advanced Tutorial. This provides
detailed instructions on advanced techniques not included in our owner's manual and generally not taught
in recreational avalanche courses. This can also be obtained by calling BCA or by downloading from our
website at www.bcaccess.com/education/teaching.php.
Instruction principles
• Try not to tell a student what to do. Whenever possible, show them.
• Do not assume they have learned what you've taught them; they should be able to demonstrate their
understanding.
• Get the Tracker into the hands of the student and get them practicing. Five minutes of use in the field
(or sandlot) is more effective than far greater time in the classroom.
• Novices are often intimidated by beacon technology and professionals are often biased toward analog
technology. The faster you get a transceiver into their hands and using it, the sooner you will break down
those phobias.
• When teaching recreationists, the objective is to build confidence by enabling them to succeed in
performing a basic single beacon search.
• Only go into advanced search technique once students are practiced in the fundamentals.
Instruction setup
For maximum teaching efficiency, hold your training at a Beacon Basin transceiver training park. For more
information on this program, see www.bcaccess.com/beaconbasin.
Target audience for basic instruction
• First-time beacon users
• Heli and snowcat clients
• Rental customers
• Professionals using a digital beacon for the first time
-Tracker DTS Instruction Guide -
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