Has anyone here gained any real-life practical experience of using Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and/or satellite messengers? Sailing or mountaineering?
I know there are a few different devices available - looked at McMurdo, SPOT, etc.
My understanding is that a PLB would rely on a local 'background' network to effect the rescue once the user had triggered the device.
For example, it would work well in the UK, US or Alps where there is a dedicated network of maritime/land/air search and rescue organisations. May also work well on Kilimanjaro (?) but may be a bit lacking in other areas?
Anyone been somewhere off the beaten track and used one?
One of my colleagues (who used a McMurdo once) prefers mobile phones or satellite phones for both UK and overseas and doesn't want to go down the PLB route again because he can't see it being effective; i.e. he thinks there is no point in a group or a leader being able to 'press the button' if nobody will respond to the call and go pick them up.
Personally, I can see the PLB being an extra layer of safety which may be an improvement on giving each member of the group a whistle and chemlight. Am I being a bit optimistic?!
I know there are a few different devices available - looked at McMurdo, SPOT, etc.
My understanding is that a PLB would rely on a local 'background' network to effect the rescue once the user had triggered the device.
For example, it would work well in the UK, US or Alps where there is a dedicated network of maritime/land/air search and rescue organisations. May also work well on Kilimanjaro (?) but may be a bit lacking in other areas?
Anyone been somewhere off the beaten track and used one?
One of my colleagues (who used a McMurdo once) prefers mobile phones or satellite phones for both UK and overseas and doesn't want to go down the PLB route again because he can't see it being effective; i.e. he thinks there is no point in a group or a leader being able to 'press the button' if nobody will respond to the call and go pick them up.
Personally, I can see the PLB being an extra layer of safety which may be an improvement on giving each member of the group a whistle and chemlight. Am I being a bit optimistic?!