[pct-l] PLBs, SPOT, and SATs

[Ken Powers]

On a situation closer to home:

I heard of a hiker who fell while in Bruneau River Canyon near the 
Idaho/Nevada border. He had serious injuries so the group set off a SPOT. 
Realizing they were in a canyon (with the possibility of poor satellite 
reception) his partner climbed out of the canyon with the SPOT. The injured 
hiker was rescued from the canyon within about an hour of his injury.

SAR said they had SPOT emergency signals from both inside the canyon and the 
rim.


After one of our hiking presentations a local policeman asked us to please 
carry a SPOT device. Now we carry a SPOT, especially in areas with no cell 
phone service. We also send frequent SPOT locations when in areas where 
satellite reception may be bad (canyons).

I just watched "127 Hours" and it made me think about getting help if I/we 
really needed it.

Ken
www.GottaWalk.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ned at mountaineducation.org>
To: "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Cc: <johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 7:53 AM
Subject: [pct-l] PLBs, SPOT, and SATs


In our SAR circles, I came across some interesting comments about the 
effectiveness of using SPOTs, PLBs, and SAT devices, if anyone is 
interested:

http://www.wildsnow.com/5602/rescue-beacon-issues/

http://www.wildsnow.com/5542/alaska-nols-bear-attack/

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/anatomy-alaska-bear-mauling-rescue

(we still always carry a SAT phone and a Sheriff's 2-way radio)



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
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