As long as it is transmitting on 457 freq and not so old that it is on the older freq or a dual freq model it should make him even safer. In practice/testing I have found the analogs like the F1, M1 & M2 seem to have a stronger transmitting signal than some of the newer digitals. As to searching for a partner now that is another matter.

The M2 like the M1 or F1 are excellent units for someone willing to train & practice with them. For a trained searcher it should have a faster find time than any 2 or 3 antenna beacon for the simple reason it does not need to take the time to process the incoming information like the Pieps DSP, tracker, or similar beacon. It is easy for an excited searcher to outrun a 2 or 3 antenna beacon. That being said for someone not willing to practice with the beacon go with a Tracker, Pieps DSP or similar type with the tracker being the easiest to use for a non-practicing beginner. Fast successful multiburial scenarios with the M1, M2 or F1 require lots of practice and excluding guides, ski patrol, & SAR folks I doubt most people would get enough practice to pull them off with success. Here again the Tracker & Pieps DSP would proform better for a person not trained and not practicing often.

In a general sense digital beacons are easier to use in an emergency situation, and are superior in multiple burial scenarios.Get a digital beacon.

I got slammed into some trees one time with this beacon on, broke 3 ribs, but I was saved because it keep transmitting... I do not think this beacon is any more likely than any other beacon to break in the case of being slammed up against some hard object while being carried in an avalanche.

I love this beacon, it's almost idiot proof, if you already know what you are doing. It gives you the distances and directions to the victim, and works just as you need it to if you are the one that needs the help. This, in my opinion, is a better option than the Tracker.

They are similar in that they are both three antenae transceivers used for avalanche rescue. The 'selling point' of the two units is what differs. The Ortovox S1 has a screen that flips up like a cell phone. This screen then shows you the distance and direction of buried victims by placing icons representative of people on the screen. The Mammut Pulse is popular because it can actually detect small chest compressions and relay that information back to other Mammut Pulse transceivers. The downside of this is that it cannot transmit these vital signs to any other beacon but the Mammut Pulse. So, the victim and rescuer must both have the Mammut to use the feature it has become popular for.

Hi Linda,

For clarification, all avalanche beacons send a signal during the standard (transmit) mode, and will "beep" for hundreds of hours on new batteries when they are turned on (replace the batteries once they show any signs of weakness, usually on a meter on the device).

It takes a conscious effort to switch the beacon to receive, so that it cannot happen accidentally. The device then stops transmitting the signal, and operates in search mode. It is important for everyone in the area to understand how to switch to search mode immediately in an emergency (someone is caught in an avalanche) so that there is not an extra signal being picket up by the searchers. It is also important to understand how to switch back to send (transmit) in case of a second avalanche during the rescue.

No matter what beacon you choose, be sure to practice with it in as many scenarios as possible: single burials, deep burials, multiple burials, etc. There is a lot of educational information, but only real life practice (in the snow, in the forest, on steep slopes, near cliffs, and other challenging conditions, before you are ready to ski into those circumstances).

Also, find partners who are willing to practice with you until everyone can consistently find and uncover a beacon in a stuff sack (probe practice too!) within 5 minutes. Then go charge those big lines!

Avalanche education courses are super informative and well worth the $$$.

Have fun and make practicing like an adventure game (it can be easy to spend hours or a full day doing it when conditions aren't great for skiing). If you need inspiration to practice, read accident accounts at:

http://www.avalanche.org/accidents.php?date=2008-2009

transceiver = transmitter + receiverAll modern avalanche transceivers operate using the same radio frequency...so all can "hear" one another when a search is required.

Beacons default to a 'transmit' mode when you're wearing them. In the event that someone becomes buried, all non-buried humans then switch their beacons to a 'receive' mode so that a search can be performed. Hope that answers your question and remember: practice practice PRACTICE or these won't do anyone any good!

yes. acurate graphical representation of all beacons within the search range. arrows to help point you to closest signal and sound. When a situation occurs, you open the beacon and follow the arrows, numbers and sounds to quickly get to the victims. All the technology built into this tool makes it a more functional field tool for pit analysis and when it comes to being fastest, it is about how well practiced you are at responding in an extremely stressful situation and how familiar you are with your beacon.

Transceiver signal is always the most important part of a burial rescue. These are features that also can help you in the event that you are helping rescue in a burial situation.