avalanche probe - / ˈævəlɑːntʃ prəʊb / -
noun
A lightweight collapsible rod used to locate a victim buried under avalanche debris. Designed to be stowed in a backpack and quickly assembled. This is achieved by throwing the sections away from the body, whilst holding the cord or string at the top end of the device. Pulling this cord brings the sections together, once assembled a locking mechanism is engaged to hold the sections together whilst the probe is used. Probes are constructed from aluminium or carbon and marked with a measuring scale to aid location of a buried victim. Avalanche professionals and patrollers tend to choose longer, heavier aluminium probes.
\\ Now we have a strong consistent signal, Pascal can you grab your avalanche probe and start probing here, it looks like Michelle is 1.2 metres below this point.
Also known as:
probe
snow probe