So, I've misplaced my probe and cannot seem to find it. Now i'm back to looking for a replacement probe. What are a good brand for a probe, i know they are all basically the same, but i did run into one problem with mine one time with the lower 3 connections getting unhooked from the rest of the rod. And i do not have that happen if it is an emergency. Could have been my user error, but i want to play it safe and find one that no one has had problems with.
Good Probe?
- Thread starter ippielb
- Start date
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snowww1
Well-known member
Go wit ha selftensioning carbon fiber or large diameter aluminum tubing. Here's some I recommend in class.
BCA Carbon 260 or SR3 $79/$59
Black Diamond Quickdraw guide probe $59
G3 320 Probe. $80?
Try www.snowavigear.com can call at 970-401-4208. May be able to give you a good discount, since it's off season.
Hope this helps.
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
BCA Carbon 260 or SR3 $79/$59
Black Diamond Quickdraw guide probe $59
G3 320 Probe. $80?
Try www.snowavigear.com can call at 970-401-4208. May be able to give you a good discount, since it's off season.
Hope this helps.
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
260 is the absolute shortest I'd use. I have a BCA carbon 320 that I'm very happy with, it's very stiff & very light.
Depends where you ski, sled, snowboard, I use a 200 cm probe as well as a 240cm, I have a 320 as well. 240cm is ideal for most rec users in most conditions for one probe. I personally use G3 but the any new probe with the quick connect is great.
Got to be honest Dave, I can't imagine actually using a 200 if I needed to... I'd spend most of my time bent over. Probes are just so light it seems like an odd place to save weight/ space?
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snowww1
Well-known member
I'm a big fan of longer probes for the following reason:
-You need to be able to probe down 6'. If they are buried more than 6', statistics show chances of survival are slim.
-If you have a short probe, you have to bend over and push your hands to the ground on every probe. With a longer probe it is less fatiguing to probe and you are a more effective rescuer. A 260cm probe is 8'6".
Even in a small avalanche, depending on the terrain, the debris can be deep.
Just my .02
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
-You need to be able to probe down 6'. If they are buried more than 6', statistics show chances of survival are slim.
-If you have a short probe, you have to bend over and push your hands to the ground on every probe. With a longer probe it is less fatiguing to probe and you are a more effective rescuer. A 260cm probe is 8'6".
Even in a small avalanche, depending on the terrain, the debris can be deep.
Just my .02
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
Well, that was really a good probe. 
Aren't probes used to rescue a live person?
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snowww1
Well-known member
A probe is used to get the exact depth and location
Studies have shown that probing on a burial will make for a 30% faster rescue.
If the beacon fails or the person does not have a beacon, your only chance is to find them with a probe.
Probe is also used for finding a buried sled.
3 essential gear items in the backcountry are beacon, shovel, probe. For many of us we also have an airbag.
Mike Duffy Avalanche1.com
Studies have shown that probing on a burial will make for a 30% faster rescue.
If the beacon fails or the person does not have a beacon, your only chance is to find them with a probe.
Probe is also used for finding a buried sled.
3 essential gear items in the backcountry are beacon, shovel, probe. For many of us we also have an airbag.
Mike Duffy Avalanche1.com
Sorry but I disagree, if the person is buried to a depth where you need a probe and they dont have a beacon, you are now into body recovery.
Please give me the stats where a person not wearing a beacon and has been saved using probes!
In all the experiences that I have had, you find the person using the beacon and then dig like a mad person to get to them! Not once in my training have I stopped to use a probe to find them. JM2C
Edit: Anyone getting into sledding should carry probes. It never hurts. I dont like them from experience
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snowww1
Well-known member
Ok, Here's the deal.
If they are buried less than 3', I just dig.
On deeper burials, a probe is used so you don't dig in the wrong spot. Many people are not proficient with beacons or rush the fine search. While one person is doing the fine search, the others are getting out their probes and shovels. The fine search person identifies the spot to probe. They probe to get the exact location and follow the probe while digging.
It prevents digging in the wrong spot and confirms they are in the right spot. The digging is the part of the rescue that takes the most time, you don't want to dig twice or move the hole over a couple of feet.
I have done hundreds of rescue scenarios with students, on deeper burials they are faster by probing first. It also leaves no doubt in their mind on where to dig.
Have people been saved without beacons? Yes, happens every year. Good example in Utah this last winter. Guy was buried for I believe 20 minutes and was deep. The searchers had rescue training and pulled off an amazing rescue without beacons.
There's many other cases over the years where people have lived due to probes. Heard from a student this year who was saved by a friend. No beacon, rescuer probed in the right spot.
Come take an on the snow rescue class, if I don't improve your search times, I'll give you your money back.
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
Avalanche education for mountain riders.
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If they are buried less than 3', I just dig.
On deeper burials, a probe is used so you don't dig in the wrong spot. Many people are not proficient with beacons or rush the fine search. While one person is doing the fine search, the others are getting out their probes and shovels. The fine search person identifies the spot to probe. They probe to get the exact location and follow the probe while digging.
It prevents digging in the wrong spot and confirms they are in the right spot. The digging is the part of the rescue that takes the most time, you don't want to dig twice or move the hole over a couple of feet.
I have done hundreds of rescue scenarios with students, on deeper burials they are faster by probing first. It also leaves no doubt in their mind on where to dig.
Have people been saved without beacons? Yes, happens every year. Good example in Utah this last winter. Guy was buried for I believe 20 minutes and was deep. The searchers had rescue training and pulled off an amazing rescue without beacons.
There's many other cases over the years where people have lived due to probes. Heard from a student this year who was saved by a friend. No beacon, rescuer probed in the right spot.
Come take an on the snow rescue class, if I don't improve your search times, I'll give you your money back.
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
Avalanche education for mountain riders.
_
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snowww1
Well-known member
You're welcome.
Biggest problem with rescue is that most people only practice with beacons one hour a year and are not proficient with the beacon or in rescue.
I have been compiling statistics on last years snowmobile avalanche fatalities. Many riders with the right training are pulling off some very impressive rescues. Unfortunately, many riders just "wear" a beacon.
in 67% of the snowmobile avalanche fatalities last year in the US, the rescuers were not proficient with beacons and rescue, or the buried person and/or searcher did not have a beacon. Who you go with in the backcountry makes a huge difference.
Snowmobile avalanche fatalities as a % of total avalanche fatalities in the US, have gone down the last couple of years. Much of this can be attributed to more riders getting training, having the right gear, knowing how to use it and snowmobilers have adapted to avalanche airbags faster than other user groups.
The next step in reducing snowmobile avalanche fatalities is for riders to get the on the snow rescue training.
The other thing that would really help is to alter riding according to the danger. Over 70% of the accidents last year happened on higher danger days.
Biggest problem with rescue is that most people only practice with beacons one hour a year and are not proficient with the beacon or in rescue.
I have been compiling statistics on last years snowmobile avalanche fatalities. Many riders with the right training are pulling off some very impressive rescues. Unfortunately, many riders just "wear" a beacon.
in 67% of the snowmobile avalanche fatalities last year in the US, the rescuers were not proficient with beacons and rescue, or the buried person and/or searcher did not have a beacon. Who you go with in the backcountry makes a huge difference.
Snowmobile avalanche fatalities as a % of total avalanche fatalities in the US, have gone down the last couple of years. Much of this can be attributed to more riders getting training, having the right gear, knowing how to use it and snowmobilers have adapted to avalanche airbags faster than other user groups.
The next step in reducing snowmobile avalanche fatalities is for riders to get the on the snow rescue training.
The other thing that would really help is to alter riding according to the danger. Over 70% of the accidents last year happened on higher danger days.
A buddy of mine lost his best friend in AK...they got to the location FAST, did a fine search FAST (sub 2 min), and started digging. they dug for 10 minutes, dug a huge hole... and then realized that he was between 2 & 3 feet down, RIGHT next to the hole.
The way he was situated the beacon's "close point" was not directly above the body, as it often isn't. I'm sure they also rushed & were off by a bit as well.
Nobody in the crew that day had a probe or they would have found him without wasting 10+ minutes digging a huge hole right next to him. by the time the did another beacon search inside the hole, then dug to him, it was around 15 min.
Probes are for getting your friend out ALIVE. If you understand flux lines, you'll understand that the beacon is just ONE tool that gets you to the victim faster. 2-3 feet is not body recovery in a situation like that (open bowl, no trees), it's very possible that you'll get your buddy out alive.
Anybody riding with me better have a probe, I don't want them digging NEAR me, I want them to poke me in the nuts with the probe so I can bitch about how they wrecked my pants later!
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P Money
Well-known member
It's a shame when peeps give up on the basics...A buddy of mine lost his best friend in AK...they got to the location FAST, did a fine search FAST (sub 2 min), and started digging. they dug for 10 minutes, dug a huge hole... and then realized that he was between 2 & 3 feet down, RIGHT next to the hole.
The way he was situated the beacon's "close point" was not directly above the body, as it often isn't. I'm sure they also rushed & were off by a bit as well.
Nobody in the crew that day had a probe or they would have found him without wasting 10+ minutes digging a huge hole right next to him. by the time the did another beacon search inside the hole, then dug to him, it was around 15 min.
Probes are for getting your friend out ALIVE. If you understand flux lines, you'll understand that the beacon is just ONE tool that gets you to the victim faster. 2-3 feet is not body recovery in a situation like that (open bowl, no trees), it's very possible that you'll get your buddy out alive.
Anybody riding with me better have a probe, I don't want them digging NEAR me, I want them to poke me in the nuts with the probe so I can bitch about how they wrecked my pants later!
P
I understand your thinking, all the same Id rather be poked in the head , just so they dig my nose out before my nuts!!!!!!
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