Personal Locator Beacons

[Toe Cozy]

Well, I did a dumb thing. I told my mom about hiking off trail alone. She's never been real keen about any of my solo adventures in the woods (hiking, backpacking) but this really made her upset. She started talking about locator devices and that I should absolutely have one for that "what if" emergency, that she'd buy me one herself. I'm not saying she's wrong. If something drastic ever happened she'd be very right in fact. But I'm really resistant to this kind of thing. And it's one of those really expensive for the probably never, ever need it piece of gear. Is that just stupid and stubborn? I'd like to know if anyone here carries a personal locator beacon.

Thanks.

 

[Pig Pen]

I don't. I get that kind of thing from people also. My goal in life is not 100% safety at all times.

Leave a smelly shirt in your car and they can use the scent dogs to find you.

 

[Mad Townie]

Would an avalanche beacon satisfy her? It's not a bad thing to carry in avvy country anyway, but I don't know the range of the things. My guess is probably not much.

DougPaul?

 

[Mike P.]

I don't & I go about 50% of the time solo. If memory serves me correctly, a year or two ago there were a couple rescues in the ADK's of the same person who had one. if I remember correctly it was a paddler not a hiker or climber.

 

[albee]

Does your mom know that you're a big girl now?

If she gives you a hard time, remind her that it is only Vermont 'whackin... there's hardly any trees to get in the way!

Or just don't tell her where or when you're going. What she doesn't know won't hurt her. As long as Chip knows your itinerary you should be all set. How would she react if you told her you were taking your shiny new PLB to climb a snowfield on Mount Hood?

 

[Rik]

I carry one everywhere I go.

 

[Peakbagr]

If memory serves, there was a controversial use of a locator beacon in the ADKs not too long ago. Guy back on a canoe trip, got cold and wet and used the locator. I understand its on a military frequency and the military S&R mobilized to find his uncomfortable but not in dire straits.
I guess they yanked him out of the woods. Apparently he left all his large gear, including a canoe that got frozen in situ. When he hiked back in, he realized that he couldn't get his now frozen canoe out, and hit the button again.

Needless to say, the military and Rangers were less than pleased and the 2 incidents became the subject of whether he committed a crime in how the locator was used, and whether or who may prosecute or levy fines.

I may not have all the details correct, but believe it might be close.
A few morals to the story. Be sure you're in a real jam before using one, don't use as an equipment ferry, and the things really work.

 

[rhihn]

If memory serves, there was a controversial use of a locator beacon in the ADKs not too long ago. Guy back on a canoe trip, got cold and wet and used the locator. I understand its on a military frequency and the military S&R mobilized to find his uncomfortable but not in dire straits.
I guess they yanked him out of the woods. Apparently he left all his large gear, including a canoe that got frozen in situ. When he hiked back in, he realized that he couldn't get his now frozen canoe out, and hit the button again.

Needless to say, the military and Rangers were less than pleased and the 2 incidents became the subject of whether he committed a crime in how the locator was used, and whether or who may prosecute or levy fines.

I may not have all the details correct, but believe it might be close.
A few morals to the story. Be sure you're in a real jam before using one, don't use as an equipment ferry, and the things really work.

Long thread on beacons here:
http://www.adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=5884

More discussion here:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00205.html

More info here:
http://www.equipped.com/plb_first_use.htm

 

[Toe Cozy]

Yeah, I read the old posts about the dude who activated the locator twice. And yes, my mom knows I'm a big girl, albee...you clearly are forgetting that age (or size as you suggest) is irrelevant in a worried parent scenario. My mom imagines me either being attacked by crazy mean people in the woods (people? What? Where...I don't see any people out here in this blowdown, do you?) or more realistically injured and unable to get out on my own. Then she imagines her favorite person in the world (her words,not mine) dying a slow and pointless death cold and alone. You know, your typical mom nightmare of not being able to rescue her injured child. So, a PLB would be my mom's way of being "in my back pocket" to save me in an emergency. That's what she really wants to do.

When I go home in a couple weeks, I'm sure we'll be chatting about my hiking and I'll probably take some quad maps with me to show my mom what kind of places I've been and that it's not as much the middle of nowhere as she's imagining. Then, in the future I just won't tell her what I'm up to. Problem solved. Sort of a solo off trail don't ask/don't tell policy. Works for me.

And if she buys me one...I'll put it in my pack. It can't hurt.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

This link is a bit dated in terms of price, but I think the pros and cons of these devices is well-described by the Gear Guy.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Looking at it from a risk/cost point of view (instead of a feelings based one) she'd be better off enrolling you in one of those movie stunt-man defensive/evasive driving courses.

Insurance companies are great for keeping stats on what REAL risks in life are. Tell her to poke around some of their web sites to find the best bang for her buck.

 

[NewHampshire]

My concern....its yet another electronic device that has to rely on a battery/s. I would think leaving your intenerary with someone trustworthy, as well as a time where "if you don't hear from me by xxx, then start worrying." Plus the knowledge of basic survival can help. I keep this tiny 3 card set with a bunch of survival info on it inside my first aid kit. Pretty basic stuff that one really might not need the cards for. But it does give you something physical to look at and help keep you calm should one get into a "sticky situation."

Brian

 

[Toe Cozy]

Looking at it from a risk/cost point of view (instead of a feelings based one) she'd be better off enrolling you in one of those movie stunt-man defensive/evasive driving courses.

Oo oo! That sounds awesome! Where do I sign up? I'm looking for a career change...maybe I could work this into a new career...stunt driver extraordinaire. Pete, you always have such good ideas.

As far as battery life is concerned, the specs on these things describe a 5 year battery life and 24hrs of battery use at -20F. According to my limited research today. But I hear ya about another electronic thingy dingy, New Hampshire.

 

[Dugan]

Insurance companies are great for keeping stats on what REAL risks in life are. Tell her to poke around some of their web sites to find the best bang for her buck.

Better not... she'll never let you go to the bathroom alone again!

 

[Maddy]

http://www.findmespot.com/
Perhaps is will give me a choice between a "sleeping bag" and a "body bag".

 

[TCD]

There might have been an earlier thread here on PLBs, too.

I go off trail alone all the time in the summer, and I don't carry one, but I leave a solid detailed trip plan with someone, and I stick to it. (Aaron Ralston might still have his arm if he had done that, and it's easy and free...).

There was a fellow about 10 years ago who got injured on a solo multi day ski trip in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness (Adks). He had left a trip plan with his wife, and he stuck to it. When he got hurt (broken leg, I think), he set up his tent, bag and stove, and stayed put. Rangers came and got him. They commented how easy it was, because he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

I know it's unrealistic to expect to be found until the next day. I always carry what I need to survive the night. That's easy in the summer (space blanket and a little extra water). That's why I don't go alone in the winter; too much stuff to carry if you have to be prepared to spend the night solo.

TCD

 

[bignslow]

Since I don't worry about being ultralight in any way shape or form; if someone were willing to buy me the device, I would be happy to carry it. The best case scenario is that you carry it around for years and never use it. The worst case scenario is that you actually have to use it and it saves your life (or at least helps locate the body )

 

[una_dogger]

TC, I told my Mom about my first off trail solo experience and normally she's a huge supporter of my hiking (actually, my biggest fan and will talk me through all my long drives home, no matter how long they are!) and she was REALLY upset, she simply listened to my story and then said, "Sabrina, please don't ever do that again". Big words from my Mom who's always given me tons of personal freedom.

I can't say "don't tell your Mom" because I could never not share all of my hiking experiences with her, but maybe a locator will help put your Mom at ease.

I have no personal experience with locators, but I can certainly relate to the Mom Factor. You are a good daughter for investing your time and energy into finding a solution!

 

[Neil]

My advice is to tell Mom that you have given up on hiking forevermore due to nasty bunion formation on your toe. Then go and hike.

You could always get a GMRS radio and license and leave a detailed itinerary and jpeg map on your computer complete with your radio channel.

My family never bugs me about solo whackin cuz I have this honkin life insurance policy that'll make em all as rich as Creosus....

 

[TomD]

I don't & I go about 50% of the time solo. If memory serves me correctly, a year or two ago there were a couple rescues in the ADK's of the same person who had one. if I remember correctly it was a paddler not a hiker or climber.

Mike IIRC, that guy was the first person to get rescued after PLB's were authorized. He was in upstate NY canoeing. The first time, he had paddled to somewhere, got snowed in and set it off; he got a helo ride out. The second time, he went back a couple of weeks later for his gear, got caught again by himself and set it off again; that time, he got a helo ride out and and got arrested for abusing the system.

Here is the whole story-it is kind of funny in a way because it has his personal account and testimonial for the PLB on a site that has a lot of survival info, then an update about him getting arrested the second time he used it.

PLB rescue