What is the PIEPS iPROBE??

In this video, we show how the PIEPS iPROBE can be more efficient than a regular ol’ avalanche probe, and how it can help a rescuer pinpoint a buried avalanche victim more quickly.

In a nutshell, the tip of the iPROBE contains an antenna that can detect a buried avalanche transceiver signal within a certain range.

Within 2 meters, the iPROBE will flash blue lights and emit a beeping noise to indicate the user is getting close. When the tip gets within 50 cm of the buried transceiver, it will change to solid blue lights and emit a steady tone. This “electronic hit” eliminates the need for a physical hit, essentially turning the small tip of the probe into a 1 meter diameter tip! This can make the step of pinpointing a buried avalanche victim beneath the snow much faster.

The ability to detect the signal of a buried avalanche transceiver works regardless of what make or model the victim is wearing. Pretty cool. 

Another advantage is that the iPROBE has the ability to put PIEPS iPROBE compatible transceivers to sleep. When an electronic hit is made on a compatible transceiver, it will deactivate the sending of the signal, thereby making it easier to find other buried victims in a multiple burial scenario.

Besides making pinpointing an avalanche victim faster, another really great advantage of the iPROBE is that it can help eliminate the possibility of a false strike.

A false strike can occur with a standard probe when it hits a solid object in the avalanche debris that may feel to the rescuer like a victim. This could be a chunk of cornice or hard snow, snowmobile or body panel, backpack or stump—any number of things that could fool the rescuer into wasting valuable time digging in the wrong direction.

The iPROBE can help eliminate this possibility by providing feedback that the tip of the probe is getting close.

It’s a clever way of making use of technology to improve an avalanche rescue tool that, until now, has been a simple, mechanical piece of equipment.

– MS