| What it is | Worn transmit/receive rescue device |
| Standard | 457 kHz; everyone wears one |
| Used with | Probe + shovel |
| Why fast matters | Survival drops sharply after ~15 min |
An avalanche beacon (transceiver) is a body-worn device that normally transmits a radio signal and can switch to receive mode to locate a buried victim’s beacon during a rescue. Together with a probe and shovel, it’s essential safety gear for backcountry travel: everyone in the party wears one, and fast, practiced use is critical because buried victims’ survival odds drop sharply after about 15 minutes.
This is general educational information, not avalanche training. Practice with your beacon and take a certified rescue course.
The rescue trio
Used in avalanche rescue with a probe and shovel; a well-known model is the Mammut Barryvox.
Frequently asked questions
What is an avalanche beacon?
An avalanche beacon, or transceiver, is a small device worn on the body that continuously transmits a standardized radio signal (457 kHz). If someone is buried, their partners switch their own beacons to receive mode and follow the signal to pinpoint the victim's location for a fast rescue. Everyone in a backcountry party carries one.
How does an avalanche beacon work?
In transmit mode it broadcasts a radio signal. In a rescue, searchers switch to receive (search) mode, and the beacon shows direction and distance to the buried transmitting beacon, guiding them through a signal search, coarse search, and fine search to the victim, who is then pinpointed with a probe and dug out with a shovel.
Is carrying a beacon enough to be safe?
No. A beacon only helps after a burial, doesn't prevent avalanches, and is useless without practiced skill and partners who also carry beacons, probes, and shovels. Rescues must happen within minutes, so regular practice and formal avalanche education are essential — the gear is only as good as your training.
Sources
- Beacons & rescue — Avalanche.org
- Companion rescue — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education