I have one for the boat, when I traveled I just rang the registration mob and told them that it was being used in the vehicle, done the simmo and some laps, no problems.
We use a 'Find Me Spot' it has a yearly fee but is quite useful for keeping family informed that we are still OK and then stick it in my pocket for whenever we are 'off the beaten track'.
We have a PLB which is basically a smaller version of a EPIRB, EPIRB's are mainly for boats, PLB's for land. Its small enough to easily carry when hiking and waterproof for through water hikes, often we hike places where you may not see another person for hours or even days, otherwise it stays in the car. Have never had to use it but it does give peace of mind, only possible disadvantage is that you have to pay to buy it.
Wouldn't be without an PLB when travelling. In fact I believe they should be mandatory for anyone travelling outside normal mobile phone reception area's. Apart from common sense it allows the emergency services to react fast to get to you. Let alone the extra cost of the resources trying to find you. Also gives loved one's piece of mind that you will always be able to get help if needed. For the cost of around $300 and has a battery life of about 6 or 7 years. Plus if you are unfortunate enough to have to use it, a new one is supplied free as a replacement.
-- Edited by Aussie1 on Friday 15th of December 2023 04:54:58 PM
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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the British and European Elders past and present, who introduced civil society and prosperity to Australia.
One issue with EPIRBs rather than PLB is where it is stored.
A PLB is a small device easily kept on the person as the name implies. EPIRBs as larger devices, all be it not by much these days, people may place them in less easily accessible places similar to sat phones . In a case in the back of a 4by that then cannot be accessed in an emergency, make it a bit useless.
Like we do, you go hiking, an EPIRB in the 4by is next to useless.
An old friend of ours advocates carrying a PLB in the car at all times, not just when going off grid. He cites an instance where a chap ran off the road & down an embankment, just a few kilometres from home. the car rolled & trapped him inside, but out of sight from the road. Hew was discovered days later - dead. it was said if he had had a PLB he would have lived.
For us having a PLB when we travel is a 'no-brainer'. We have had a GME 410G for getting on for 7 years now. Getting close to replacement time. One thing we have not been good at is carrying it with us when we go bushwalking, mainly because it is extra bulk to carry in addition all the other stuff we carry. Silly I know, but has been our reality. The great thing is that the current PLB's with the same performance (battery life/ length of time they operate once set of etc) are far smaller. Eg Ocean Signal PLB1, small enough to be slipped into a shirt pocket.
Yep, our Find Me Spot 'lives' in the glove box for that reason. It is on the 'checklist' (with things like water) whenever we move away from the car (we do a bit of fossicking).
The handy thing with the Spot is that it also has a function for a "Send Help" email/text to a dedicated distribution list without going into a full blown 'emergency' situation.
The EPIRB that is normally with our boat travels with us on long trips where we are likely to be out of the way. The beacon registration website allows an easy change of the beacon from the boat to the vehicle with its details recorded also. Just need to remember to do the change on the website. As Cuppa said, the larger EPIRB is not as handy for personal walking trips.
Have had Epirbs in my boats. Now a grey nomad I have loosely attached a Plb to the handbrake. In the event of a crash and you cant get out of the car at least you can still activate it. Being in the boot wont do you any good. Buy one with the Gps built in accuracy is 3 metres as against 3 kilometres I believe
Have had Epirbs in my boats. Now a grey nomad I have loosely attached a Plb to the handbrake. In the event of a crash and you cant get out of the car at least you can still activate it. Being in the boot wont do you any good. Buy one with the Gps built in accuracy is 3 metres as against 3 kilometres I believe
we spend thousands on flashy equipment to travel to remote places an extra $3-4 hundred on something we hope to never use, but could save our life
that works out to about $50 dollars a year, cheap insurance.
next time your out and about just think how you would describe your location to someone on the phone (if you have phone reception) you do not even have to be remote to be hard to find
Sorry to hear of your health issues but that is still a very selfish attitude to have. It doesn't matter whether it is a 'rescue' or a 'recovery' someone is still going to have to put their personal safety at risk to do the job. Why wouldn't you take whatever steps necessary to reduce their (not your) risk?
When one is faced with low potassium & phosphorus diet (some will know the routine) & all the infinite circus around it. Seeing all the other patients week in week out over the year of so. Especially more so the young ones with their lost lives ahead of them. It puts so much in perspective.
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Sorry to hear of your health issues but that is still a very selfish attitude to have. It doesn't matter whether it is a 'rescue' or a 'recovery' someone is still going to have to put their personal safety at risk to do the job. Why wouldn't you take whatever steps necessary to reduce their (not your) risk?
Totally agree BT50 Dave,
That post takes the cake when it comes to selfishness. As you stated, the poster obviously has no regard for others safety and or costs. The mind boggles
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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the British and European Elders past and present, who introduced civil society and prosperity to Australia.
We have spent a lot of time in very remote areas. If we die we die.
Currently have permanent & major family health issues.
Issues revolving around EPIRB are trivial to the extreme compared current health circumstances.
Whenarewethere wrote:
When one is faced with low potassium & phosphorus diet (some will know the routine) & all the infinite circus around it. Seeing all the other patients week in week out over the year of so. Especially more so the young ones with their lost lives ahead of them. It puts so much in perspective.
I'm not certain if I understand where you are coming from. I think you are saying that you have less value on your life than you once did because of your recent health experiences? If so then whilst very sad to read, I can also understand how you might see it as a pragmatic way of seeing things. If I have understood correctly then contrary to what others suggest I don't think you would be placing others at risk as you wouldn't be wanting nor expect to get help in circumstances others would use a PLB/Epirb for.
I only hope that your outlook might change as your current health journey progresses & that you might find increased value somehow, somewhere.
As it is, I very much hope that I have misread you. My wife & I , when in remote areas have had discussion about 'risk' & agreed that 'If we die , we die' not because we want to, but because the alternative of staying at home & not doing what we love would be worse. So we do what we can to mitigate the risk, we plan, we take care, & we carry emergency comms.
Given the smart a#$e comment about using flares pretty much sums up the foolish attitude some have.
Maybe just trolling but. Fortunately all sensible folks will carry a PLB when planning to be out of mobile reception range.
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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the British and European Elders past and present, who introduced civil society and prosperity to Australia.
Here in NZ we allways carry a PLB whenever travelling away from home .In the vehicle and then on person when out tramping especially . As our country is quite mountainous with passes/deep valleys that have no coverage for phones for 10`s of km`s .
On my second now , Aussie GME Accusat .Model 610.Never had to use one ,but batteries are good/guaranteed for 7 yrs .cost about $450 ,Pin points where you are to a few mts` . Thats bloody good value to save your life ,or others .
Oh and HAPPY XMAS AND NEW YEAR TO ALL
Rock on Andy ..
PLB/EPRIB are undoubtedly a boon to have, and are invaluable in non major injury type situations.
I still consider a Sat phone a good idea if possible, as where major injury is involved, talking to a first responder or rescuer can save hours on waiting for the PLB or EPIRB signal to be picked up, and it is still only a one way communication. The help on the phone may just help save a life with first aid assistance.
I am a fan of having both if possible. And remember, both of them can be affected by the terrain they are used in.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 19th of December 2023 04:52:48 PM
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Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
We carry both Eprib & Plb, difference between the 2 is a big hefty fine in boats if you dont have Eprib in open waters.
Plb only has a short term battery.
You can register an Eprib so it covers both boat & vehicle full time.
