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Post by Coolkat on Jun 12, 2020 11:57:18 GMT -8
Time flies. Apparently it's been two years since I purchased and registered my plb as I got an email telling me this. It gave me two weeks to renew it. However, what I forgot was, was how to test it. Found and downloaded the manual took it out in the yard and nervously & deliberately pushed the test button for 5 seconds and about 15 or so seconds later I got the final green led and a strobe flash indicating that the gps test was successful.
However, what I'm curious about is the instructions on that are taped to the bottom of it. It was to activate it to press the button for 1 second and to deactivate it to press again for 5 seconds. So my question is this if I activated in an emergency why in the world would I want to deactivate it? I'm assuming that turns the device off. It would seem to me that in a true emergency that I would want to run it until the battery dies.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 12, 2020 12:27:47 GMT -8
Accidents happen. Countless epirbs are activated with their location at the general aviation airfield where the aircraft within which it’s mounted is sitting, or the marina where the boat it’s mounted to is safely moored.
A way to turn them off saves a lot of SAR missions.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 12, 2020 13:29:00 GMT -8
However, what I'm curious about is the instructions on that are taped to the bottom of it. It was to activate it to press the button for 1 second and to deactivate it to press again for 5 seconds. So my question is this if I activated in an emergency why in the world would I want to deactivate it? Because the helicopter pilot told you to turn it off before they send another one. (A few of us were there when that happened). |
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Post by Coolkat on Jun 15, 2020 6:03:32 GMT -8
Because the helicopter pilot told you to turn it off before they send another one That's legit. I guess since I've never been in this situation I wouldn't know about some of these details. Can you explain a little more? I'm asking because to me it seems that if the helicopter is close enough for the pilot to tell you turn it off you don't need it anymore anyway. So obviously I'm missing part of the equation. |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 15, 2020 6:29:18 GMT -8
I'm asking because to me it seems that if the helicopter is close enough for the pilot to tell you turn it off you don't need it anymore anyway. So obviously I'm missing part of the equation. Sorry, I'm responding only to "why in the world would I want to deactivate it?". If you don't, it just keeps transmitting until the battery dies. So yeah, there's no benefit in letting it continue once they've verified that they came to the right place, and it could cause confusion if left on beyond that. For example, after landing the helicopter may not have good (or any) comms and their business at your site may takes a while, so the status of beacon transmission could be meaningful to the dispatcher. We didn't ask a lot of questions. When he said "You can turn that off now", it got turned off pretty quick. |
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Post by Coolkat on Jun 15, 2020 10:18:57 GMT -8
There are some things that I just assume and I should have been more clear. To me it'd be obvious at that point to turn it off. Without more explanation I thought there might be a reason to turn it off in the field before help arrived. Sometimes I don't follow the literal logic of something to the end so this confusion is on me. Sorry about that  |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 15, 2020 10:58:46 GMT -8
Coolkat Yeah that was me March '19. The battery lasts 8 hours or so. By that time, I was in the ER and had been for a couple of hours. Imagine being the people dispatching and having to tell the shift change "Ignore that one. It's already been ambulanced to ER." Thus the directions on how to turn it off. I had a difficult enough time getting it to turn on properly, but that was on me. I failed to hold the on button down until the light began to flash. That's an important thing to notice. Also, when I was first put in the helicopter, they pointed out where my pack was so if the chopper went down in the turbulent weather, I would know where to find my own gear and turn the beacon back on, should I survive. It was really gusty that day. The 4 SAR folks were all talking about how rough it was. Both pilots were all business until we put back down at the pad.
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Post by Coolkat on Jun 16, 2020 5:00:24 GMT -8
Hey zeke, while it's unfortunate that you actually had to use it. It's also good to know that these devices actually work. And what you guys are saying makes sense. I have another question for those who own/use these devices. Do you always take it with you or only on the more adventurous/risky outings. I bought this because two summers ago I thought I was going to CO. Hiking in real mountains in more remote area concerned me a little. However, I have never bothered with it while on the North Country Trail or other trails in Michigan's UP. Maybe I should? |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 16, 2020 6:26:44 GMT -8
Countless SAR missions get triggered by people who “just” went off for a short walk and got lost or injured... accidents are rarely planned in advance so for me anything where I’m carrying a pack and in the beacon goes.
It’s my observation people are less careful amongst the familiar. Less careful gets people turned around when it gets dark or tripped....
Better navigation tools (and a good headlight ! )for self extraction are optimal but for a more serious situation there’s the beacon.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Jun 16, 2020 7:16:03 GMT -8
PSA:
Always leave an itinerary NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE OR HOW SHORT THE TRIP. See reconn.org
Devices die, fail to connect, fail to send a message despite appearing to, etc. Devices can be dropped in water, down holes, or left behind. Educate the folks at home to prevent PANIC and FALSE SAR ALERTS - if the breadcrumb stops because the device is sitting on a stump where you left it for 48 hours, don't waste thousands of taxpayer dollars by letting the fam go nuts thinking this stuff is infallible. Let them know there is a margin of error with devices and help them make better decisions.
When the PLB re-registration sticker shows up in the mail, pay attention to it. My ACR's re-reg sticker had someone else -- an organization -- on it. I didn't notice. I started getting emails about "is your beacon activated?" They thought I was in a boat in distress near Easter Island, tho myself and the beacon were in a house in California, because of a clerical error. Think about being that poor soul on the boat while some SAR dude in Chile is arguing with some chick in California.
If you're hypothermic or otherwise mentally impaired, beacons don't help. Bob Woodie's SPOT breadcrumbs did not result in his being found before he died. He never hit the SOS. He and his dead SPOT were found much later. Hiking in groups is in fact thought to increase safety not because they will do much to keep you from getting lost or injured, but because someone being present when you are sliding into altered mental status can offset that risk - if the other person is able to recognize the symptoms and STOP their progression before they are severe. Not recognizing your decision-making skills are impaired is the biggest risk of backpacking.
All that said - my InReach Mini is always on the pack whether it's a 2 mile hike or a 200 miler. It's also in the car, as there are plenty of backcountry roads where there are no signal and anything can happen. Having a pine tree fall on your car at a trailhead is less likely, but has happened....
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 16, 2020 7:43:34 GMT -8
Coolkat I carry mine on day hikes, but not day paddles when several boats are going on the same route as a group. Should at least one of us carry one in case of a real medical emergency? Probably. If you are always solo, I'd counsel always carrying it. Someone in each group should carry one, IMO.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 16, 2020 7:52:40 GMT -8
I bring mine most of the time. The only exceptions are in my local area that has excellent cell phone coverage and a good bit of use.
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Jun 19, 2020 16:51:02 GMT -8
I have another question for those who own/use these devices. Do you always take it with you or only on the more adventurous/risky outings. I have both a SpotX and ARC ResQlink PLB (GPS). For two years now, I carry the SpotX messenger everywhere and all the time. Hiking or cycling. I live in area where the cellular coverage can really suck, even at the outskirts of town. Yes, I have the unlimited subscription and treat it as second phone. My "anchors", the folks who are my registered contacts with PLB and the SpotX, are drilled in receiving and sending messages, either text or email with the SpotX. The PLB is home in the car but goes with on long hikes or if I am hiking with a partner, have them pack it after a short use drill. Two years ago this week I had a SAR incident that could have been avoided if I had the SpotX messenger and texted family that I was late and needed to spend another night out. The second day in what was supposed to be a day and half trip blew up because I was one of the first down a canyon trail and the was no trail in major sections. And I lost it more than a few times. it was so bad and unknown I was not willing to hike out in the dark five more miles and +2000' elevation to the trailhead. I had extra food, good water, shelter and was still healthy and safe. i would meet the first SAR responder on the trail the next morning about a mile from the trailhead. Because I had a left a detailed trip plan with my daughter and partner, I was an easy find. And yes, in my area, last year we had a few fatalities and the folks had a PLB or sat messenger but no SOS was sent. Either fall or other sudden event and the unit did not get deployed. |
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