The White RoomImagine watching a close friend or family member get thrown off a mountaintop through trees and rocks into the middle of a raging avalanche. When the avalanche finally stops, they are no longer in sight. As panic begins to set in, you realize there is no cell coverage, no ski patrol, or even a road for a few miles away. At that moment you wonder if you will ever see your friend again and if you do, will he or she be alive. Every year, many lives are lost in the backcountry to avalanches. Many of these people could be alive if they had taken avalanche courses and learned the basics of avalanche safety. Many precautions should be taken when entering the backcountry. It is essential to bring all necessary equipment, understand the danger and mechanics of avalanches, and know how to perform a rescue if someone is buried. Although some people don't realize it, bringing all the necessary avalanche equipment is often the determining factor in whether a life is saved or lost. A beacon is a radio transceiver device that is worn under a coat and sends signals to other beacons. Beacons are used to search for buried victims. They send radio signals to find buried victims. It is essential that the beacons are always in “sending” mode, so if an avalanche breaks the beacon, the buried beacon will send signals and the victim will be found. If someone else is buried, then the beacon should be switched to "search" mode and it will display arrows leading to the victim. When buried ten feet deep in avalanches and dubree, beacon search signals are the only way to successfully find yourself or others buried there. Although wearing a tag improves the chances of being buried, it does... middle of paper ......rs. Np March 15, 2013. November 18, 2013. “Avalanche Advice.” Niles EMA. Np December 2010. November 16, 2013. “Cause of avalanche deaths.” CBC News. Np February 12, 2009. November 17, 2013. “Perform a rescue.” National Avalanche Center. Np October 2013. Web. October 14, 2013. Duffy, Mike. “Avalanche Survival.” American Snowmobiler. January 1, 2009: 58-60. Premier master file. Print. Finkel, Michael. “The Deadly Season.” Popular Mechanics 187.1 (January 2010) n. page. Premier Academic Research. Internet. October 1, 2013. Gokey, Monica. “Snow Sciences”. Missoula Independent. (February 21, 2013) 14-16. Premier Academic Research. Print. “Search by tag. » National Avalanche Center. Np October 14, 2013. Web. October 14, 2013. “The 10 ABS Survival Principles.” The avalanche airbag. Np October 28, 2013. Web. October 23, 2013. Wise, Jeff. "AVALANCHE!" Popular Mechanics March 2008: 185.3 Masterfile Premier. Internet. October 10. 2013.