Garmin Inreach satellite phone

[BC Rockcrawler]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

A lot of what works also depends on where you will be and what you are doing when you need help.


I carry an EPIRB for most of my backcountry adventures, because I'm usually in canoes / kayaks and would not be able to do more than press the trigger in an emergency. And I want that continuous beacon once triggered (so they can find my body, realistically, but there it is).


I also carry a marine VHF radio, because for less immediate emergencies this works well in the same environments.


The sat text device looks good for backcountry trips off water. I'm usually not that far off the beaten track (especially with my trailer) where a normal radio would not reach other off-roaders. Something to consider.

EPIRIB or PLB are not just a marine item. Lots of hikers use them too. There are advantages to them. Although they need a clear sky to function, they use both LEOSAR and GEOSAR satellites maintained by NOAA so a PLB has a slightly better chance of working quicker. They also broadcast on two frequencies. One to communicate with the satellites and the other as a homing beacon. No fees required. I look at them as a 'come get me or I will die' device. once you push the button, here in Canada, the signal goes to CFB Trenten and is passed to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. They then send the information to the appropriate SAR group closest to the location of the signal. Most units will run for 28 to 30 hours once activated.



A couple of things about them that are unique to the devices. You need to purchase and register the device in the country of your residence. They work globally, it just needs to direct the initial signal to the appropriate Mission Control centre. Also when you register, you will provide information on yourself along with special needs or medical issues that will be on file that will assist the SAR operators.



The other thing is the care you must take with the device while in your possession or storage. Once activated, on purpose or by accident, the cavalry is coming so there is a lot of responsibility as an owner of a PLB or EPIRB to make sure it is only turned on when really needed.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by BC Rockcrawler

EPIRIB or PLB are not just a marine item. Lots of hikers use them too. There are advantages to them. Although they need a clear sky to function, they use both LEOSAR and GEOSAR satellites maintained by NOAA so a PLB has a slightly better chance of working quicker. They also broadcast on two frequencies. One to communicate with the satellites and the other as a homing beacon. No fees required. I look at them as a 'come get me or I will die' device. once you push the button, here in Canada, the signal goes to CFB Trenten and is passed to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. They then send the information to the appropriate SAR group closest to the location of the signal. Most units will run for 28 to 30 hours once activated.

A couple of things about them that are unique to the devices. You need to purchase and register the device in the country of your residence. They work globally, it just needs to direct the initial signal to the appropriate Mission Control centre. Also when you register, you will provide information on yourself along with special needs or medical issues that will be on file that will assist the SAR operators.

The other thing is the care you must take with the device while in your possession or storage. Once activated, on purpose or by accident, the cavalry is coming so there is a lot of responsibility as an owner of a PLB or EPIRB to make sure it is only turned on when really needed

Good information

I was not familiar with the terms, so I looked them up:

Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB, not EPIRIB)
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

I was more familiar with the traditional ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter), as used in aviation and pre-satellite; the same term is still used for current systems which are the technically the same as marine units fixed to vessels (EPIRB) and carried by people (PLB).

It's Cospas-Sarsat which built and operates the system (using, among others, NOAA's satellites).

The Wikipedia article for Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon might be of interest.

[Craiger]

In 1920 my grandfather drove the family from Los Angeles to Covington Kentucky, my father was seven years old. They camped all along the way there were few hotels. Roads were almost nonexistent. I think it was three or 3 1/2 weeks to go from Los Angeles to Covington. They could've taken the train but the camping genome started with my grandfather. It was definitely passed down through my father to me. The best story from the trip other than killing a cow in a slaughterhouse's (long Dresman family story not fit for the form) they came in late to a small town (remember no streetlights) and they camped out in what they thought was the town square. At daylight they realized they had camped out in the town's graveyard. Father said they picked up and left without breakfast, great memories for seven-year-old.