How will they find me in an emergency

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

RE: How will they find me in an emergency

Mike Harding · Guru

PLBs are fine, I've owned one since, maybe, 2001? and I recommend one to anyone who goes serious bush but they are a one trick pony and should only be "activated in situations of grave and imminent danger".

Most of the things which go wrong in the bush are not immediately life threatening but, usually, may become so if a remedy is not found soon; vehicle breakdown in remote country probably being the most common. If one has voice comms. then it may well be possible to diagnose the fault by talking with a mechanic or give someone an indication of the spares you'll need. At the least you can tell them all is good and you'll try and get the vehicle going for another 48 hours but you'll be getting short of water then. At least, now, someone knows exactly where you are and what the situation is.

My own choice is a PLB, two HF radios (one of which can transmit out of band) and a UHF CB - if I can't sort it out with that lot then God really has gone off me :)

Additionally; I strongly suggest you carry a tablet (Android/Apple) with a copy of the app. Torque and a Bluetooth dongle to read your car computer *and* learn how to use them before you travel, with these you can read the error codes generated by the car computer and relay them to a mechanic.

Nifty150 · Veteran Member

Tony Lee mentioned the Garmin InReach, Explorer, or similar. It works as a PLB, so thats great if you really need to call in a chopper in a life or death situation. Most emergencies in the areas beyond phone coverage though, require something less, like calling a mate with Im stuck, or disabled but not in immediate danger, or can you organise a new radiator. Sometimes you need to be contactable to receive messages relating to illness in the family. These devices allow two way messaging via satellite, and we use ours just to keep in touch - no emergencies yet. You can drive them through an iPhone, and receive an extraordinarily detailed map of where you are. They also plot your location for others to see, if you want that. Not as dramatic as an epirb, not as convenient as a satphone, but combines most of their advantages and provides some that neither of them have.

peatop · Senior Member

I carry a PLB, EPIRB and UHF when fishing as part of my safety equipment, my current UHF doesn't have the new feature of GPS/SOS and is marine class, I wonder is there a similar system on non marine class hand held UHF radios?

And what is the difference between marine and non marine?

For your information a PLB/EPIRB must be held in an upright position to work (the arial need to point at the satellite)

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Useful information.
beacons.amsa.gov.au/about/how-they-work.asp
It is worth noting that the registration site allows you to describe your vehicle, to add photographs and to list where you intend to travel, all of which will assist in finding you and anticipating your needs better.
www.beacons.amsa.gov.au/
And the search and recovery, or whatever is required, is FREE. A truly extraordinary service.
I would recommend that all travellers own a PLB, even if you also have some other way to get emergency assistance.
Cheers,
Peter

Gary and Barb · Senior Member

I guess any alarm system is better than nothing, so a couple of alternatives broadens your chances of success. A smart phone, PLB, EPIRB or smoke signal is better than dying in the desert. Sure, phones require a signal, but then PLB's and EPIRBS also need satellite access as do GPS systems. All the more reason to have a spread, I think. I can't imagine anyone travelling in the bush without a GPS system or smart phone, so that is a good start - just not foolproof.
Good advice to make sure to track your location as accurately as possible, though.

-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Wednesday 8th of September 2021 08:21:00 PM