AVALANCHE PROBES

In order to be ideally equipped for an avalanche emergency, your safety equipment should contain an avalanche shovel, airbag, tracker beacon and probe. After all, the probe is an indispensable part of your equipment in order to significantly increase your chances to survive when you get caught in an avalanche emergency.

Reliable safety in the snow with avalanche probes from Sport Conrad

Safety comes first, especially when you're adventuring off-trail. With our selection of high-quality avalanche probes, you'll be well equipped to act quickly and effectively in an emergency. Discover our reliable probes now, which can help you save the life of someone buried in an avalanche in an emergency. Find your perfect avalanche probe at Sport Conrad and enjoy carefree days of skiing.

What is an avalanche probe?

An avalanche probe is a component of avalanche equipment and refers to a metal rod consisting of probe segments. In the event of a burial, you can use it to feel your way through the snow to find the buried person more quickly and determine the location and depth of the burial. Using an avalanche probe is relatively easy and can reduce the rescue time for buried victims from up to 25 minutes to 11 minutes. That's why avalanche probes should be part of any complete avalanche safety kit, because freeriders, ski tourers, and others know that the first 15 minutes after a burial are the most critical.

What else is included in an avalanche safety kit?

Three components are important for complete avalanche or safety equipment. Firstly, the avalanche probe already described, but also the avalanche shovel and the avalanche transceiver (avalanche search device) are part of this important equipment. Optionally, there are also avalanche backpacks equipped with a special airbag that can be deployed in an emergency to reduce the depth of burial. Before you embark on your adventure, you should always make sure that your avalanche equipment is complete and in good working order.

When do I need an avalanche probe?

As soon as you venture off groomed slopes, you should always carry an avalanche probe with you. In an emergency, every second counts. Whether you love ski touring, ski mountaineering, or freeriding, as soon as you are in open terrain, avalanche equipment is essential. It doesn't matter whether you are a pro or a beginner – in life-threatening situations, you should always be equipped to rescue your companions.

How is an avalanche probe constructed?

An avalanche probe consists of several probe segments, all of which are connected by a cord (tension cord). By pulling on the cord, the probe can be quickly and easily assembled into a long rod. Once the avalanche probe is assembled, the cord can be secured on the pull side so that it does not come loose. In addition, there is a scale on the side of the elements to indicate the burial depth. At the bottom of the probe is the slightly rounded probe tip, which penetrates the snow. After use, avalanche probes can be easily reassembled, making them compact and easy to transport.

Note: Some manufacturers offer a so-called quick-tensioning system. This system allows the probes to be tensioned even faster and more intuitively.

The use of an avalanche probe is referred to as probing. Correct handling of a probe is extremely important, because in the event of a burial, every second counts. To use your probe correctly, you should always use it at a 90° angle to the snow surface.

How do I probe correctly?

1. Use your avalanche transceiver for fine-tuning; first, you must locate the buried person using the avalanche transceiver.

2. Starting from the point where the shortest distance to the buried person was measured, begin probing. Move in a spiral, systematically from the inside out. Your probe holes should be placed at intervals of about 25 cm.

3. If you encounter resistance, leave the probe in place and use it to orient yourself for the rescue.

You should use your avalanche shovel to dig.

The same applies to probing: practice makes perfect! It can often be difficult to distinguish a buried person from rocks or the ground, so it is important to practice probing regularly.

An avalanche probe is an essential part of any safety equipment. Although it is simple and intuitive to use, you should still find the right probe for you. This is because the material, length, and weight are among the factors that determine the pack size of your probe, which you should always take into account.

What you should look for when buying an avalanche probe

Fabric of an avalanche probe

Your avalanche probe must be particularly robust so that it does not break during use. That is why most avalanche probes are made of aluminum or carbon. While aluminum is robust and particularly effective in dense snow, the material is unfortunately also somewhat heavier. Carbon, on the other hand, is particularly light and easy to store, but avalanche probes made of carbon are also more expensive than probes made of aluminum. In principle, both materials are suitable for use in an emergency; which one you prefer is an individual decision. You should evaluate characteristics such as price, weight, and length for yourself

Different sizes

The size (or length) of your avalanche probe is particularly important, as this determines how deep it can penetrate the snow. Longer probes are generally advantageous, as they allow more space between your hands, reducing the chance of the probe breaking. However, it should always be borne in mind that longer probes automatically mean more weight and less space in your touring backpack. We therefore recommend choosing a probe that is no shorter than two meters. The ideal probe length is between 2.40 and 3 meters. You should also consider the diameter of your avalanche probe. If the avalanche probe is too thin in diameter, it may miss the victim or deform when it encounters resistance. A diameter between 10 and 12 mm is ideal for an avalanche probe

Weight of the probe

When it comes to weight, you need to assess how heavy your probe should or can be. You must always remember that, in addition to your probe, you also have to carry your avalanche shovel, avalanche transceiver, and all the other items in your equipment. The material is crucial here, but so are the length and the number of individual probe segments. Therefore, find out exactly how much your avalanche probe weighs and consider not only the weight of the probe itself but also the weight of the rest of your equipment.

Everything you need for a safe ski season at Sport Conrad

If you are looking for high-quality avalanche probes from top brands such as Ortovox, Pieps and Mammut, then Sport Conrad is the right place for you! On our website, we offer a wide selection of different avalanche probes made from various materials and in different lengths.

You'll also find many other items you need to locate buried victims, because only with complete avalanche equipment can you save lives in an emergency!