Become a better rescuer.

About BeaconReviews.com

I am a software entrepreneur, a part-time ski patroller at Brighton Ski Resort in Utah, a former member of the Salt Lake County Search and Rescue Team, and an avalanche educator. As a rescuer, I have responded to dozens of avalanches and have been involved in the recovery of 11 avalanche victims. I created BeaconReviews.com to share what I've learned.

Jonathan Shefftz is an AIARE and National Ski Patrol (NSP) avalanche educator and has been a contributor to BeaconReviews.com since 2012. Jonathan has published reviews of avalanche transceivers since 2007, is a member of the American Avalanche Association's governing board, and has authored many articles on the assessment of avalanche incidents in  The Avalanche Review. His input helps continue BeaconReview.com's legacy of independent and accurate information.

We have worked hard to keep the information on BeaconReviews.com independent and scientifically objective. We do not receive any compensation from beacon manufacturers, although we have received training and beacons from most manufacturers. The revenue generated by the advertisements on this website pays for web hosting and occasionally some backcountry gear.

My book, Mountain Responder (which is currently out of print), provides a first-person account of my experiences rescuing people in the mountains. Purchasing the book helps support BeaconReviews.com.

For what it's worth, I also develop maps and apps for backcountry skiers (WBSkiing.com), apps and websites for EMTs and paramedics (eMedic.com and SmartMedic.com), an avalanche inclinometer (AvalancheInclinometer.com), a website for wilderness first responders (WMIquiz.com), rope rescue software (vRigger.com), a rope rescue training website (RopeRescueTraining.com), a weather website for the Wasatch mountains in Utah (CCweather.com), and have written a handful of articles about rescue technology.

Stay Safe,


Steve Achelis

DISCLOSURE: I earn commissions from qualifying sales when you use advertising links on my websites. The commissions are meager and clearly not my motivation, but they do provide a little justification for the hours I spend in front of my computer rather than skiing.