Choose the exercise and practice site
Use an instructor-led session or an established practice area free of avalanche exposure. Agree on the exercise, roles, boundaries and a clear stop signal. Use a training target; never bury a person for a drill.
BeginnerA planned practice session; course duration varies
Avalanche Beacon Practice Plan
Organize a supervised avalanche rescue practice session, review device interference, record feedback and download a checklist for the next session.
Partners refreshing skills after rescue instructionNew travelers arranging a rescue course
Workflow
Check the exact devices and interference guidance
Review the transceiver manual, battery requirements and function-check procedure. Manage nearby electronics, metal and magnets according to the current interference guidance. Keep a phone used for notes away from active searching.
Practise the taught rescue sequence
Run the search, probing and excavation exercise under the agreed supervision. Assign an observer to record sequence errors, communication problems and equipment handling without distracting the searcher. Correct technique before adding complexity.
Debrief and schedule the next practice
After the exercise, record the target setup, participant roles, completed stages and the instructor’s corrections. If clock readings were recorded, calculate their elapsed duration afterward. Inspect and account for every training item before leaving.
Tools Used
Checklist
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Setup
Equipment
Debrief
Closeout
Reference Materials
Hands-on rescue instructionStandard
AIARE’s rescue material covers equipment, small-team response and continuing practice. A short checklist cannot teach those skills or certify proficiency.
Electronic interferenceSafety
Electronics, metal and magnets can affect transceivers. Read the current guidance and the exact device manual before arranging the search area.
Practice logTable
Record observations rather than assigning a pass/fail time.
| Exercise detail | Record |
|---|---|
| Setup | Target, search area, devices and roles |
| Observation | Sequence, communication and handling |
| Follow-up | Correction to practise and next session |
Change one practice variable
Agree with the instructor which element to change next, so you can understand what improved and what still needs work.
Safety Notes
- Use qualified rescue instruction for search, probing and digging techniques. Keep practice targets separate from people.