Be quicker in an emergency: Find out what you should look out for when purchasing a high-quality avalanche probe
Schneller sein im Notfall: Informiere dich jetzt, worauf du beim Kauf einer hochwertigen Lawinensonde achten solltest.
In an avalanche accident, seconds count. Along with an avalanche transceiver and an avalanche shovel, the avalanche probe is therefore a central component of emergency equipment.
In the ORTOVOX avalanche probe guide, Chris Semmel, mountain guide and trainer with the Verband deutscher Berg- und Skiführer (VDBS – German mountain and ski guide association) explains which functions, safety standards and features are important in a high-quality avalanche probe.
Avalanche probe functions
Why is the avalanche probe an indispensable item of avalanche safety equipment?
The probe is an important component of avalanche safety equipment. Only with a probe can the exact location and the burial depth of the victim be determined, allowing quick action to be taken. Because in an avalanche accident it’s all about working at speed to save lives.
Investigations have shown that without an avalanche probe for locating and pinpointing, it takes twice as long to dig out the victim: approx. 25 minutes. With a probe the average rescue time is eleven minutes. Without a probe, therefore, it is unlikely that the victim will be rescued within the 15 minutes that are essential for survival.
Avalanche probe elements
Avalanche Basics
Probing correctly in the event of an avalanche accident
After completing the fine search with an avalanche transceiver and marking the location, you need to pinpoint the victim with the avalanche probe. Find out how to probe correctly here!
1 Mark the point with the smallest distance measurement (with crossed ski poles, shovel etc.). Starting from this point, probe the area systematically from the inside to the outside in the 25cm (~10 in) grid spacing shown.
2 The probe remains in place and is used for orientation purposes.
3 Tip: Always probe at a 90° angle to the surface of the snow
Learn more
Online oder bei einem unserer Lawinenkurse
Interactive avalanche training at home: The online ORTOVOX safety academy lab.
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Comparison: Avalanche probes
| FEATURES | CARBON 240 SUPERLIGHT | CARBON 280+ PFA | ALU 240 LIGHT | ALU 240 PFA | ALU 320+ PFA | STEEL 320+ PFA | ALU 240 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length (in cm) | 240/37,5 | 280+/43,5 | 240/37,5 | 240/43,5 | 320+/43,5 | 320+/44 | 240/43 |
| Weight (in g) | 185 | 355 | 235 | 310 | 430 | 680 | 200 |
| Ø (in mm) | 10 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | 7075 Alu T6 | 7075 Alu T6 | 7075 Alu T6 | Steel | 7075 Alu T6 |
| Fastening system | Quick Lock | PFA | Quick Lock | PFA | PFA | PFA | Quick Lock |