Once buried in snow -- even if activated -- the PLB probably won't be able to receive a GPS signal so no precise lat-long, and if the PLB antenna isn't oriented right it probably won't connect to SARSAT.
It won't connect to SARSAT. Period. Orientation doesn't matter - bury a PLB under compact snow and I will be utterly, completely and absolutely stunned if it can transmit to the satellite.
They just weren't designed to work under snow.
Exactly. The only radio equipment designed to work under snow are the avalanche beacons and RECCO equipment. Those are not exactly long range transmission....
The ugly truth: If no one sees you being buried in an avalanche you're dead. Period. If someone sees you and can find you within 30 minutes you may or may not survive - depends purely on luck and chance (are you one of those blunt trauma victims, have you suffocated from snow in your mouth and nostrils, can someone dig you out quickly?). Spend more time buried and your luck runs out pretty quick. There is no go-lucky-be-happy equipment that can save you. All those gadgets and trinkets can do is to improve your chances a little bit under a limited set of circumstances.
An avalanche course is really an excellent idea! It is all about risk assessment and avoidance.
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