As the name implies, an avalanche transceiver both transmits and receives an electronic signal depending on which mode it is in. Mountaineers, particularly ski mountaineers, carry transceivers switched to the transmit mode hoping that if they are unfortunate enough to be buried in an avalanche their pals or mountain rescuers can find them by switching to receive and picking up the signal. While avalanche receivers can be life savers they are beset by many problems. Rescue teams are not always sure they are being carried, meaning that they don’t know whether to use theirs or not when searching for victims. There are many different types on the market, all of which need training and skill to use correctly – inadequacies are often discovered when it is too late. They engender a false sense of security when learning how not to get avalanched in the first place might be a better option. Ortovox are an Austrian company specialising in avalanche safety ( along with many other things) These transceivers are two of the many that have appeared over the years; a little outdated now and kindly donated by Clare Cuthbertson on behalf of her late husband – Smiler.