COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Effective rescue services require a clear, concise, and rapid transmission of information Equipment and procedures are generally similar between patrol areas It is essential that patrollers be trained to use the types of communication devices found at their areas

Hand Signals Assistance - raise one arm upright For a toboggan - raises two arms straight in the air For a backboard- stretches both arms straight out sideways

Hand Signals Two arms raised and waving - all clear, request(s) cancelled

Hand Signals The patroller at the site can use hand signals to direct the toboggan handler by pointing to the side they want the toboggan to approach from A patroller arrives at the site; After checking the patient for immediate emergencies and marking the site, such as with crossed skis or poles, the patroller signals to other patrollers in sight for assistance, by facing the patroller being signalled and raising one arm upright; c. If he/she wishes a toboggan the patroller raises two arms straight in the air; d. If a backboard is required, the patroller stretches both arms straight out sideways, raising them to shoulder level, at a right angle to their body; e. The “all clear” signal or waving both hands over the head, is used to cancel a request or to signal that everything is okay; f. The receiving patroller acknowledges the signal by repeating it; g. The patroller at the site can use hand signals to direct the toboggan handler. The patroller points to the side they want the toboggan to approach from.

Signs Crossed skis or other appropriate device – a warning of an incident site or other danger below A rope across the entrance to a run or trail - the run or trail is closed Chalkboards, whiteboards - transmit a message to someone in particular or to the general public Boards with standardized messages such as "Training in progress"

Whistle Signals 1 Blast - Message understood/ Correct 2 Blasts - Repeat 3 Blasts - Help! 4 Blasts - Bring a toboggan 5 Blasts - Bring a backboard

Radio Radios are the preferred method of communication The two-way communications are instantaneous Permit mobility while maintaining contact Transmit on frequencies licensed to the CSPS offer a relatively private means of communications

Radio Features and Controls On/off switch Volume switch Frequency selection switch Squelch control switch PTT (push to talk) button Antenna An indication of signal •An ON/OFF SWITCH often combined with the VOLUME SWITCH. This allows control of the volume of the incoming message. •A FREQUENCY SELECTION SWITCH. This switch should normally be set to the desired frequency at the beginning of a duty day. •A rotary SQUELCH CONTROL SWITCH. This inhibits noise in the absence of a useful signal, by controlling the level of the received signal. The squelch control should be rechecked frequently. Radios may also have an automatic squelch control. •A PTT (PUSH TO TALK) BUTTON. Pressing this button will turn on the transmitter while you are talking; it must be released to receive a message. If a speaker microphone is used, it will have its own PTT BUTTON. •An ANTENNA. •An indication of signal

Phonetic Alphabet Letter/Word A ALFA B BRAVO C CHARLIE D DELTA E ECHO F FOXTROT G GOLF H HOTEL I INDIA J JULIETT K KILO L LIMA M MIKE Letter/Word N NOVEMBER O OSCAR P PAPA Q QUEBEC R ROMEO S SIERRA T TANGO U UNIFORM V VICTOR W WHISKEY X X-RAY Y YANKEE Z ZOOLOO

Words and Phrases ACKNOWLEDGE Lets me know that you have received and understood the message AFFIRMATIVE Yes, or permission granted BREAK I hereby indicate the separation between portions of the message. CLEAR Conversation is ended and no response is expected CONFIRM My version is ….. Is that correct? CORRECTION An error has been made in this transmission (message indicated). The correct version is ….. GO AHEAD Proceed with your message I SAY AGAIN Self-explanatory (use instead of “I repeat”) NEGATIVE No, or permission not granted or that is not correct, or I do not agree

Words and Phrases OVER My transmission is ended, and I expect a response from you OUT Conversation is ended and no response is expected READ BACK Repeat all of this message back to me exactly as received, after I have given OVER. (Do not use the word “repeat”) SAY AGAIN Use instead of “please repeat”) THAT IS CORRECT Self-explanatory VERIFY Check coding check text with originator and second correct version WORDS TWICE Communications is difficult, please send each word twice.” As information: “Since communication is difficult, I will send each word twice.

FRS / General Mobile Radio Service FRS (Family Radio Service) low cost and availability power output of FRS is limited to 500 milliWatts maximum range of about 1 km GMRS public means of communications there is no protection against interference

Care and Maintenance Keep your radio warm inside the jacket Check transmissions before leaving the base Immediately inform if there is a malfunction After the end of your shift or sweep, put your radio into its proper charger

Cellular Phones Costs of cell phones are normally incurred by the user Reliable signal Everyone in the communications loop should have a list of all the cell phone numbers

Avalanche Casualty Locators Avalanche transceivers such as SKADL, ELT, PIEPS, ORTOVOX, L'HELP and others are portable radio transceivers Used during avalanche search & rescue to locate buried person who are also wearing a transceiver

International Distress Call Any three signals of any duration, visible or audible, repeated at regular intervals smoke signals, flares, mirror flashes, marks in the snow, whistles, branches, tracks, rocks, flashlights, or radio carrier (squelch) bursts Respond to them immediately with every available means of support The international distress call in radio is "Mayday Mayday Mayday"

Effective Communications Well-defined operational guidelines that are understood and practised Equipment being in excellent operating condition Common sense from all participants when situations develop that are beyond the scope of the guidelines Well-defined operational guidelines that are understood and practised by patrollers, management, and staff;b.Equipment being in excellent operating condition (the result of regular maintenance checks); andc.A large measure of common sense from all participants when situations develop that are beyond the scope of the guidelines.