Topic description: With the proliferation of electronics in a winter backcountry setting, questions continue to arise as to what extent these items may interfere when one is involved in a rescue while searching with an avalanche transceiver. The purpose of this research was to explore the effect of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) on signal detection, as well as utilize GPS tracking to visually describe the real-world impact of range loss caused by EMI.
Bio: Terry Palechuk is an ACMG Ski Guide, Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) as well as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Adventure Studies Department at Thompson Rivers University for the past twenty odd years. A former Avalanche Canada board member, he now sits on the Avalanche Canada AST committee. He has also collaborated with Bruce Jamieson on an e-book: Avalanche Craft: strategies for reducing risk in the backcountry. He has been active playing and guiding in the winter backcountry for over 30 years and instructs both recreational avalanche courses as well as Level 1 courses for the CAA to avalanche practitioners.