One of my buddies is with whistler SAR and was one of the guys that dug him out. Somehow his beacon ended up in search mode which is why it took so long to find him. It wouldn't matter anyways as he died from trauma.
1. Your beacon comes with a case and harness , use it. Putting your beacon in your pocket is just wrong, I know this is mainly a skier thing but I have had sled clients that have had there beacons in their packs before. You want your beacon worn down around your abdomen and to the side. The reason for this is to protect it. If it is against your rib cage you are more likely to have it damaged if you bash up against your bars or get sifted through trees or rocks. The last thing you would want is to survive an avy but not your beacon. Having it in it case helps protect it as well as keeps it in send mode. Not all beacons have this but should.
2. If you are not going to wear your crotch strap on your avy bag you may as well leave it at home. It doesn't do much good if it gets pulled over your head and off.
3. Gear is just backup for when you have a major brain fart. If you're not going to use your head your chance of sledding or skiing another day are drastically reduced.
1. Your beacon comes with a case and harness , use it. Putting your beacon in your pocket is just wrong, I know this is mainly a skier thing but I have had sled clients that have had there beacons in their packs before. You want your beacon worn down around your abdomen and to the side. The reason for this is to protect it. If it is against your rib cage you are more likely to have it damaged if you bash up against your bars or get sifted through trees or rocks. The last thing you would want is to survive an avy but not your beacon. Having it in it case helps protect it as well as keeps it in send mode. Not all beacons have this but should.
2. If you are not going to wear your crotch strap on your avy bag you may as well leave it at home. It doesn't do much good if it gets pulled over your head and off.
3. Gear is just backup for when you have a major brain fart. If you're not going to use your head your chance of sledding or skiing another day are drastically reduced.