The Canadian Avalanche Centre has warned backcountry users not to rely on smartphone apps. These, were are marketed as “transceivers” can give users a “false sense of protection” warned the agency.
The CAC found a number of issues with the technology, including compatibility and frequency range. According to the CAC all avalanche transceivers should conform to the international standard of 457 kHz, so that regardless of brand these can be used to search and find one another.
“Not only are these new apps incapable of connecting with other avalanche transceivers, they are also incompatible between themselves, so one type of app can’t find another,” explained CAC Executive Director Gilles Valade.
The 457 kHz standard was chosen because it transmits very well through dense snow, is not deflected by objects such as trees and rocks, and is accurate. However, according to the CAC the apps don’t come close to this standard, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both significantly weakened when trying to pass through snow.
“We are warning all backcountry users to not use any of these apps in place of an avalanche transceiver,” added Valade.