1. COMMUNICATIONS

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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.

6. 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"

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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"

18. 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.