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Show Durability is essential to avalanche probe poles. This quality should take precedence over weight, convenience and cost economics. Any probe slender enough to be pushed easily into avalanche debris, yet sturdy enough to withstand prolonged use in dense, hard snow has to be stoutly made. Most sectional probes are poor in this respect; they are intended primarily for short search operations in relatively loose snow. The military antenna sections ( MS- 116A) described in Appendix i are an exception, but their cost is high. In one- piece probes, aluminum is a very poor substitute for steel. Soft aluminum electrical conduit is especially poor. Not too many years ago most avalanche caches in the United States were stocked with aluminum conduit for probe poles because this material was cheap and readily available. The number of twisted aluminum pretzels which have been abandoned at the sites of actual avalanche rescues testifies to the inadequacy of aluminum conduit. Thick- wall aluminum pipe is better, but there is no substitute for steel. Steel- tube probes now stocked at several major avalanche caches have been used time after time on rescues and for training as well, but are still in excellent condition. The correct specifications for one- piece probe poles are given in Appendix i. Climbing skins for skis are essential if any extended march to back- country rescues involves uphill climbing. The number of skins for First Stage columns should at least match the number of sectional probes. Several lengths of skins should be stocked, along with an adequate supply of friction tape for adaptation to miscellaneous skis and for repairs. No special pack is needed for transport of probes, skins, avalanche cords and rope. Sectional probes can be taped to ski poles for extended transport. One- piece poles should be taped together in bundles of 3 or 4 and provided at one end with a short length of rope for attachment to a belt or rucksack strap. Allowing the long probes to drag along behind frees the skier's hands to use his poles for climbing. Prepacking the shovels on light- weight packboards is desirable. These packs can also be used for transport of wands, flags, cord, flares, etc. Two or three small packs are better than one large one; a heavy pack is an unnecessary burden on a fast- moving First Stage column. The resuscitation pack contains standard first- aid equipment for the victim, plus a resuscitator and aspirator. ( See Appendix i.) Each column should also carry at least one standard ski patrol first- aid belt in case of accident to the rescuers. Each departing rescuer should be equipped with a headlamp and spare batteries in case the operation extends beyond daylight hours. The record of avalanche rescues teaches that most of them do. 26 |