By Aaron Whitfield

At Northern Escape Heli Skiing, we are adamant about safety and exclusively use the PULSE Barryvox Avalanche Transceiver for our heliskiing guests and guides alike. Heli Skiing safety is our first priority; we do not cut corners with keeping our guests and our staff equipped and trained in the latest and greatest avalanche transceivers, the Swiss made PULSE Barryvox. We require every person that goes out heliskiing with us to be wearing one and train everyone in the proper usage of the beacon.

An avalanche transceiver is designed to locate a missing person quickly and efficiently in the event of an avalanche. Having an avalanche transceiver is not enough; everyone needs to know how it works. The PULSE Barryvox is easy to use and is one of several things that set it apart from other transceivers on the market. Many of our guests have never needed to wear a transceiver before, except when Cat Skiing or Heli Skiing. Prior to heading out into the Skeena Mountains for the first day of a heli skiing package, we hand each person a PULSE Barryvox transceiver and harness to use for the duration of their trip. We then go over the operation of the transceiver, which is a small device that clips into the harness under the outer layer of ski wear, and proceed to do practice sessions to ensure everyone is comfortable with the functions.

When it is turned on, it stays in send mode, meaning it is sending out a signal that can be picked up by any of the other beacons in search mode. If one is buried under the snow, you can switch into search mode, and an arrow and a number will appear. The arrow shows which direction to walk and the number indicates how far you need to go. When the number gets to the lowest point, you are on the target. After the search is complete, you switch back to send, and that is basically it. The transceivers have additional features that the heli ski guides can activate to allow for more detailed and comprehensive functions that the average person doesn't need to get into.

Some people have their own transceivers that they are comfortable with and ask if they can bring their own. We insist that everyone uses the Northern Escape PULSE Barryvox transceivers, because together as a fleet, they operate with a second frequency, which gives them greater ability in pinpointing and marking accuracy. There are additional features built in that help with quick and precise locating, such as three antennas, a 360-degree real time compass, and motion detection. All that you really need to know is that if the Pulse Barryvox is needed, it will work reliably, quickly and efficiently.

Our guides will always do their best to avoid all the avalanche hazards through terrain selection, route planning and years of experience. On the unlikely event that there is an avalanche involvement, having and knowing how to use the best safety equipment is key to safety and survival of everyone involved.

Further Reading:

• Snowpulse Avalanche Airbag System
• Operations and Safety