If you’ve spent $500 on the fanciest avalanche transceiver in existence but you don’t know how to use it, it’s not going to do you much good. In the event of a slide, that little beeping box is your lifeline—the only form of communication between you and your potential rescuers when you’re separated by layers of snow. Also known as a beacon, a transceiver is just one part of a complete avalanche safety kit, which should also include, at the minimum, a probe and shovel. Another essential component of avalanche safety is education, which we will discuss in more detail below. A course taught by a qualified instructor is the best preparation for trips into the backcountry’s variable snow conditions. This article is a basic primer on beacon use. It is not intended to replace formal avalanche training.