bca TRACKER2 User Manual page 4

Once you have located another signal in SP mode, begin
to move in that direction. If the distance consistently
decreases, you are going in the right direction. Travel far
enough in SP mode to confirm the distance is decreasing
and which way the signal is trending. If more than one
signal is being displayed and it becomes unclear which to
pursue, continue in the direction you have been searching.
Always switch back to SE mode when you think you are
getting closer to beacon 2 than beacon 1.
4. How to pass a guiding exam
using a Tracker:
After 15 years of beacon searching with the world's top
rescue personnel we found that strong beacon searchers
rely on a multitude of techniques, often combining two
or three, based on the scenario they are facing. Variables
such as the number of victims, the distance between
them and the victim's depth of burial, make it nearly
impossible to promote one technique over another.
In fact, a complex beacon search may require a searcher to
act on the fly and improvise techniques based on the how
the scenario unfolds.
The following hybrid technique is targeted directly at
those looking to pass a guiding exam and advanced users
looking to round out their searching arsenal. While no two
exams are the same, they all share similar characteristics:
There is only one beacon searcher (yourself ). All are held
in an area of 100m x 100m or less. You can usually count
on two beacons within close proximity of each other and
a third spaced 20m or more away. Out of the 3 beacons,
1-2 may be buried over 2m deep. Finally, in most guiding
exams you're not allowed to turn off transmitters once
they're found.
When you come into the search area be sure not to move
too far down the slope; you don't want to travel back
uphill. Sometimes the transmitter can be tucked up high
on the flanks and be easy to move past, especially if this
transmitter has a poor transmit strength or less than ideal
antenna orientation.
Enter the search area and begin your signal search if no
signal is being picked up. If a signal is immediately picked
up, but greater than 20m away, continue on your signal
search. Be sure to get within 20m of each flank and cover
the entire path. Do not abandon your signal search until
you get a reading lower than 20m. This will protect you
from missing a beacon that may not be transmitting ideally.
Once locked on to beacon #1, conduct the coarse and fine
searches and probe. Locate the first beacon and take a
second to gather additional information.
If using a Tracker 2 and the multiple burial light is flashing
on and off, you know you have at least one additional victim
within close proximity (5m radius). This is the perfect
opportunity to use special mode. Special mode will open
up the search window to pick up all signals, not just the
strongest. Determine the direction of beacon #2 and go
get it. Remember, when the multi burial light is flashing
you are not going to have to move too far to find the next
beacon. Keep your beacon close to the ground and move
slowly. Remember to go back to SE mode to lock in the
next signal when you get close.
Once it's determined that the area around beacon
#1 has been thoroughly searched and each beacon located
you will go back to where you left your original signal
search to find the final beacon.
If you come to beacon #1 and the multiple burial light is
not flashing, you will most likely face the close proximity
portion next. Locate beacon #1 and enter special mode.
If no new distance readings appear in special mode when
you rotate the beacon 360°, return to where you left your
original signal search. Conduct the signal search until you
until you get a consistent signal within 20m. Enter the
coarse search, fine search and pinpoint. If the multiple
burial light is flashing now, you have another beacon
within a 5m radius. Enter special mode and locate.
Apply micro search strips or the three-circle method
if you have trouble with special mode.
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