Recommendation on how avoid Interference Issues in companion and organized avalanche rescue

Abstract

Electronic avalanche rescue devices such as 457kHz transceivers and Recco are today the primary search tools in companion and organized rescue. The requirement for a long receive range in order to shorten rescue time asks for highly sensitive receivers. Such highly sensitive receivers are vulnerable to be influenced by interference from other electronic devices, but as well metal parts and passive electronics may detune the antennas or act as a unwanted reflector in the case of a Recco search. The percentage of users who carry a wide range of electronic devices such as mobile phones, helmet cameras, music players, heart rate monitors etc in the outdoors has considerably increased over time and therefore the negative influence on an efficient search effort has in several cases lead to loss of valuable rescue time and greatly disturbed the rescuers on the accident site. The study includes a detailed analysis on the mechanisms of interference, a matrix of influence and potential consequences as well as a new, user group specific recommendation on how to avoid interference issues in companion and organized rescue.