Do you have an avalanche rescue beacon?
Have you practiced using it?
An avalanche beacon can only help you if you know how to use it!
An avalanche beacon without a shovel is as good as no avalanche beacon at all!

The first avalanche transceiver ("Skadi”) was developed in 1968 by Lawton in the USA. Looking back, one can say that the beacon has improved the survival of buried avalanche victims, but not so effectively as many had expected.

Using an avalanche beacon to locate a buried victim reduces the average extrication time from 120 to 35 minutes, but it only decrease the mortality rate from 76% to 66% (12,13). This discrepancy is due to the steep slope of the survival curve. After 35 minutes, the probability that a buried victim will survive has already decreased to a very low level at which it remains nearly constant. Reducing the burial period from 120 to 35 minutes therefore has little effect on survival. In 27% of all searches, location of the buried victim using an avalanche beacon is done not by companions, but by organized rescue teams; in which case the mortality rate is 97%.

An avalanche beacon serves its purpose only if it can be used expertly by uninjured companions immediately after the victim is buried. This can only be done with proper training in the use of the beacon.

Many backcountry skiers or snowboarders are unable to use an avalanche beacon. This device works only if used by someone trained in its use; its effectiveness depends on the ability of the user. Practice in using an avalanche beacon is absolutely essential!

It remains to be seen how the new generation of digital avalanche transceivers, which allow a directional search, will affect mortality.