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Post by hikerjer on Jan 10, 2022 10:55:48 GMT -8
I’ve raised this subject before and have received some good advice. After considerable procrastination along with the insistence of my wife and children and due to what could have been a very serious situation last week while x-country skiing, I’m ready to pull the trigger on getting a PLB. Just a few more questions, if I may. First, do they work and are they worth it. Second, does anyone here have one and has anyone actually ever used one? Any recommendations on which one to get. I’m really not interested in any device that requires a subscription or a regularly occurring payment. Just something that will help SAR locate my body - dead or alive.
As always, thanks for your help.
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Post by cweston on Jan 10, 2022 11:02:15 GMT -8
I have one, and I've never used it. It's an ACR ResQ.
I bought it a couple years ago from a rental company that was going out of business and was selling off their newer PLBs.
So, in summary, not much help here.
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 10, 2022 11:10:52 GMT -8
In 2018 I purchased the ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ 406
It's been a while since I researched these things but I got this one for two reasons. 1)No Subscription 2)signal out is/was more reliable than the Spot & inreach devices. Maybe things have changed?
Last year I had to renew it's registration with the FCC and I think next time I'll have to send it in for a new battery before they will renew a 2nd time.
Do they work? I surely hope so. I used the test mode before a hike and it tests fine but I hope I never actually have to use it. So I guess I'm not much help either.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 10, 2022 12:50:45 GMT -8
zeke has the same one I do (ACR ResQLink). I would contact him by PM if he doesn't respond publicly.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 10, 2022 13:09:15 GMT -8
I used mine in the Grand Canyon on the trip where my eyesight faltered. Worked fine. No Subscription, and they replaced it once used, for free. Get familiar with the operation, and refresh your memory from time to time. i tested mine at home, then 2 years or so later, forgot one step in actuating it. Took me a while to realize it wasn't sending out a signal, but once done correctly, it worked fine. As long as you are conscious enough to turn it on, they'll find you. I got the ResQLink 400, but the $300 one looks like it would do everything I want in a PLB. Depending on your location, and distance from responders, it could be quick, or several hours. Coast Guard responds to these in about 30 minutes. The Grand Canyon chopper takes 2 hours to get in the air. In the case of need, either time period is better than not having a PLB. |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 10, 2022 13:41:14 GMT -8
they replaced it once used, for free If I had known that, I would have asked you to use mine. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 10, 2022 14:08:16 GMT -8
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 10, 2022 14:41:44 GMT -8
zeke Cool! Upon further reflection, I'll deal with my expiring battery the more conventional way. It's not free, but probably more convenient all things considered.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 10, 2022 18:09:28 GMT -8
www.sarsat.noaa.gov/You’ll register it with NOAA every two years, free. Battery is probably a five year cycle, has to be done by a certified shop (marine service places usually as it’s similar to boating EPIRBs). I’d recommend one with a visual and IR flasher for the dual rescue function. ACR has a long-standing good reputation. I have a MicroFix I’ve never used. For a solo life threatening crisis the simplicity of the PLB is attractive, deploy the antenna: push the button. Get the FCC certified beacon going for a direct signal to the government agencies. REI has a discussion. www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-locator-beacons.htmlFor “do they work”: “ SARSAT Rescues Rescues at sea: 195 people rescued in 72 incidents Aviation rescues: 29 people rescued in 15 incidents Terrestrial PLB rescues: 106 people rescued in 65 incidents Worldwide – Over 48,000+ people rescued (since 1982) United States – 9,723 people rescued (since 1982) 330 - Number of People Rescued in 2021 in the United States as of December 31st” www.nesdis.noaa.gov/data-research-services/search-rescue
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Post by dayhiker on Jan 10, 2022 20:19:21 GMT -8
I have this one www.plbreview.com/mcmurdo-fast-find-220-personal-locator-beacon-plb/Never used it so I cant compare says battery good for 6 years, Dont remember how I decided on it. I was backpack around Maroon Bells and a guy hiked up to my camp and said he girlfriend broke her ankle (at a stream I cross about an hour or two prior. He wanted a Sat phone, if I remember right, but I offered to turn on my PLB, but I told him there would be no talking to anyone, and he said he would come back if he had to, but some group with kids would have a Sat phone. Not sure this counts as life threatening, and if I should have given it to him to activate where she was, or something I did not want to do, hike back with him. Anyway I guess he got a phone . . . |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 10, 2022 20:38:52 GMT -8
My personal opinion is the PLB gets turned on for either a life threatening emergency OR when the incident will inevitably lead to a SAR callout due to a severe enough delay that I’ll miss my exit schedule. Then the beacon aborts the random search which can expose the responders to excessive hazard versus just heading to the beacon’s location.
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 10, 2022 21:03:56 GMT -8
guy hiked up to my camp and said he girlfriend broke her ankle (at a stream I cross about an hour or two prior. I would have pressed him on activating the PLB. I don't see much advantage to waiting longer for a sat phone unless they needed immediate expert instruction on dealing with a life-threatening condition for which time is quickly running out. Maybe they felt they needed that sort of help for the broken ankle, but it sounds more like the end result was actually delaying help. |
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Post by dayhiker on Jan 10, 2022 21:39:05 GMT -8
Yes I was willing to do it, in that likely needed rescue, and without rescue it would be life threatening, though I suppose someone could hike out to get help (would take a couple of days). Though if they would do something risky thinking someone life needed that, them maybe I should not
I think. he was hoping for a helicopter , as allot of places are open there.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jan 11, 2022 6:05:10 GMT -8
My personal opinion is the PLB gets turned on for either a life threatening emergency OR when the incident will inevitably lead to a SAR callout due to a severe enough delay that I’ll miss my exit schedule. Then the beacon aborts the random search which can expose the responders to excessive hazard versus just heading to the beacon’s location. I think if I had a PLB instead of a messenger I would tend to pad my exit date since I could get SAR started earlier if I needed help getting out but if I just got badly delayed but still able to get myself out, my home support wouldn't call SAR too early. I see that a PLB could reduce the number of searchers but in terms of the team that must be sent to the location it would still have to be a large team. You could need full medical care, something like high angle rescue, both or more. They don't know and have to be ready for anything with a PLB alert. In reading this thread it occurred to me that this is sort of virtue of a PLB. You do have a safety line to rescue but it is minimal. For a large part you are still out on your own. With my messenger the outside world can contact me at any time. I need this to keep the home front happy when I solo but if you are trying to get away from it all the PLB would be a better choice (and less expensive). |
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Post by ErnieW on Jan 11, 2022 6:11:09 GMT -8
Just something that will help SAR locate my body - dead or alive. Hard to activate your PLB when you are dead. |
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