A release mechanism is provided for devices for rescuing persons from avalanches or indicating the position of persons within avalanches, and for reducing the extent to which persons swept away by avalanches are buried, the release mechanism being able to be triggered by an intrinsic manual actuation. The release mechanism includes a radio unit equipped with a power supply, a transmitter, a receiver, an antenna, and data processing means, and can receive a radio signal for actuating the intrinsic release mechanism from the radio unit of at least one further release mechanism. The radio unit is either an integral component of the release mechanism or an additional, separate element which is however operatively connected or can be detachably connected thereto. The release mechanism is provided with an actuation means which is able to induce an extrinsic actuation of the intrinsic release mechanism upon receiving a radio signal.