bca Tracker DTS Instruction Manual page 6

1) Follow each student one-at-a-time to make sure they are "trusting" what the beacon is telling them. A
common mistake is to travel straight despite the light flashing to the left or right of center. Another common
mistake is to move too fast during the pinpoint search.
2) Encourage them to move the Tracker slowly, not abruptly, when centering the search light. This is
especially important for experienced users of analog/audible-based beacons.
3) Students should be encouraged to say the distance numbers aloud. This reinforces to the instructor
and student that the user is looking at the distance display and is getting closer.
4) Have them perform the pinpoint search once using the bracketing technique only. Then have them
pinpoint on a line with only a small bracket at the end.
Exercise II: Buried transmitter/supervised
Perform the same exercise as above, but searching for a buried transmitter.
Exercise III: Buried transmitter/unsupervised (in pairs)
Depending on the number of students, have them break into pairs and conduct secondary and pinpoint
searches together. Each team of two should practice while the instructor rotates between teams. One person
buries, the other searches, then switch. Maintain a distance of at least 40 meters between groups.
Timed Searches: If time permits, perform a timed contest, including all three phases of the search. Timing the
searches will help simulate the stress associated with actual conditions. After pinpointing, each contestant re-
hides the beacon for the next. In a flat, packed search area, a student should be able to perform a successful
search in under three minutes.
Lesson II: Multiple Burial Searching/SE Mode
Only teach students multiple-burial technique once they have mastered single burials. Multiple burials should
only be taught in Search mode. Special mode is discussed in the Advanced Tutorial.
It is important to emphasize that whenever possible, the searcher should turn off the victim's beacon once
they have been located. This limits the multiple search to a series of simple, single-burial searches. However,
it is sometimes more efficient to begin searching for other victims if other companions are available to begin
shoveling.
A) Illustrate the Tracker's signal-strength filtering:
1) Place two beacons on the snow, about 10 meters apart. Remain in Search mode. Pinpoint one
transmitter, then move closer to the second. Show how the Tracker automatically isolates the second one.
Distance readings should increase as you move away from the first beacon, then decrease after isolating
the second.
-Tracker DTS Instruction Guide -
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