How many carry an EPIRB or a PLB ?

Plendo · Guru

How many carry an EPIRB or a PLB ?

Bruce and Bev · Guru

We carry a PLB - light and small and keep it in our tow vehicle. If we go remote walking it goes in our backback with a silver (tin) blanket and bottle of water.

Cost about $300 at BCF

Big Gorilla · Guru

Don't leave home without it !! EPIRB...

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Hi David, We recently bought a device (Spot Connect) which we will be carrying when we head for the bush next week. Basically it connects to your smart phone via Bluetooth and gives you satellite connection which you can use in the many "black spots for your phone. At any time you can send a message to a pre-selected group, family and/or friends, who will get the message that you are safe and well, and give them your co-ordinates. You can also send a help message telling someone you are say broken down, or stuck in mud etc. who can initiate getting you some help. ie. call the nearest police station etc. Then, there is the SOS button which activates the national rescue service as an EPIRB would. Another service is the "Track Me" function where it plots your every move on a map. Benefit is that you can have communication, and get help, if things are not life threatening that you cannot do with the EPIRB. Only downside is that you cannot receive messages back to you. Similar cost of an EPIRB. I think the unit and package that you sign up for was around $400. A sat phone I guess would be the best if you want to maintain two way communications but pretty expensive to use. Do a search for "Spot Connect" and see what you think, or the link below might help. Cheers Brownie

http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Saturday 25th of April 2015 08:41:01 AM

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Saturday 25th of April 2015 08:41:26 AM

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Saturday 25th of April 2015 08:53:46 AM

frangipani · Guru

Plendo wrote:
Due to a new interest we now often find ourselves in areas that do not see traffic very often, this may be driving to a remote location, or on foot in the bush. I have recently been considering what either of us would do in the case of an accident, or medical emergency, or if we just plain got lost.
This started me thinking about buying an EPIRB, then I discovered PLBs (Personal Locater Beacons), and I am now considering purchasing a PLB, and keeping it in the vehicle ready to take with us when we venture of the track.
I would be interested in other people's thoughts, and experiences.
I think it could also be beneficial if a few were interested to investigate a bulk buy.

Yes I have been thinking of getting PLB, being a solo it is something I think is a good idea., seen one at BCF, $349., no on going fees, just register and keep in a handy spot. -Fran

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Just noticed...... We bought ours through the ExplorOz web site and I notice now that the Spot Connect seems to have been superseded by the Spot3. Cheers. Brownie

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

A PLB is very cheap insurance.
There are places on Highway 1 where there is no 'phone reception. You only have to loose control and finish trapped in your car 50m from the road in the scrub and you are dead without one.
We also take ours over seas.
Don't leave home without it.

Cheers,
Peter

Bruce and Bev · Guru

I actually took the time to read all the instructions that came wit our PLB. Make sure you do the same and do a few dry runs (short of activating it) so that BOTH of you will be able to activate it in an emergency. Its not just a case of pushing a button. You need to unhook the aerial on most (they are wound round the unit to keep the whole thing small and compact) before operating.

They have very clear instructions attached to them, but if you've just had an emergency and need help, your brain may have trouble comprehending these and fail to operate it.

We have a dry run through our one about every 6 months.

justcruisin01 · Guru

I have an epirb for the boat & when touring it lived in the door pocket beside me.

JC

in transit · Senior Member

Spot 3 sounds interesting and I notice that Johnie Appleseed has them for a bit over $200. However without delving too deeply into it I can't see a schedule of what it costs to use the various features, whether there is just one schedule to cover every feature, or whether you pick the features you want. I imagine that after the subscription has been purchased there are additional call charges which might be handled on a pre-paid basis.
I look forward to reading future forum comments on this product.

grahamg · Senior Member

how does the PLB work, what happens when it is activated.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

This may give some information

http://www.bwrs.org.au/?q=node/237

Cheers - John

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Here are the costs of hooking up a Spot device. Cheers, Brownie

www.findmespot.com/en/index.php

Plendo · Guru

Thanks for all the replies, and you are certainly making me aware of alternatives well worth investigating.

There seam to be two distinct types of devices, being EPIRBs and Satellite Messengers, and while both will deliver an "I need rescued" emergency message, the messenger also offers the benefit of delivering messages, either pre programmed or short text messages.

EPIRBS & PLBs are designed to serve one purpose, they provide a mechanism to send a message to the emergency services that you need to be rescued, there is no ability to refine the message by providing a reason, and it provides no other ability to communicate. Once you purchase your unit, and register the unit there is no ongoing running cost.

Messengers (the best known being SPOT3 and Spot Connect) provide the ability to send messages either pre programmed or short messages from your phone through the satellite system, they also provide EPIRB functionality. After the initial purchase, the device then requires a service subscription ($100 plus a year) to operate as designed. It is unclear if it would continue to operate as an EPIRB without the subscription service.

For me, I believe a PLB (small personal EPIRB) would best serve our needs, I do not need the functionality of the messenger, and the ability to use it away from our vehicle sets it apart from the larger EPIRBs.

Research continues.

Allany · Veteran Member

The PLB is the most reliable device
You must remember to hold it upright to use
Not very efficient if laying down due to size of antenna on most
Just remember it is an offence not to register it with AMSA

Allan

Baz421 · Guru

We carry a 406mHz AMSA registered EPIRB we kept when we sold the boat. AMSA has our details and in the comments it will tell them quite clearly if someone reports us lost we have XXX water and XXXX food and we will be on landmass not water. Any EPIRB transmission from us will be life threatening, which is in accordance with legislation.

The spot connect is interesting and I read some reviews but all seem to be overseas and say Spot 2 works and Spot original could be marginal.

What concerns me is twofold:

1 what is the sat coverage in Australia that Spot uses?

2 Will our Aussie mobile have enough transmission signal power to connect???

I can't find any answers to this.

Another question is will AMSA respond if someone rings ie Spot organisation and says I have emerg transmission at lat/long pleas erespond.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Saturday 25th of April 2015 07:49:52 PM

Baz421 · Guru

Ref my previous post I've emailed AMSA to see their position on this subject.

I'll keep you all posted

Phil C · Guru

G'day Dave, hope you are well.

I have to admit, that is something we haven't thought about. With CB and not venturing too far off the beaten track I have felt we don't need one.

Reading the above comments I am seriously going to reconsider that stance. Be good, keep that paint brush flinging.

Cheers

KFT · Guru

We have an EPIRB and it is registered with MSA for land use.

It is always in the vehicle and I test it now and then-usually before a trip and we do several each year.

good value when combined with a satphone.

all bases hopefully covered.

I would love to buy and take with us an AED(automatic external defibrillator) just in case but at nearly $3000.00 each. I am still thinking about it.

frank

grahamg · Senior Member

Baz421 wrote:
We carry a 406mHz AMSA registered EPIRB we kept when we sold the boat. AMSA has our details and in the comments it will tell them quite clearly if someone reports us lost we have XXX water and XXXX food and we will be on landmass not water. Any EPIRB transmission from us will be life threatening, which is in accordance with legislation.
The spot connect is interesting and I read some reviews but all seem to be overseas and say Spot 2 works and Spot original could be marginal.
What concerns me is twofold:
1 what is the sat coverage in Australia that Spot uses?
2 Will our Aussie mobile have enough transmission signal power to connect???
I can't find any answers to this.
Another question is will AMSA respond if someone rings ie Spot organisation and says I have emerg transmission at lat/long pleas erespond.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Saturday 25th of April 2015 07:49:52 PM

I do a lot of solo bushwalking and photography, would it under the rules to activate a PLB if I become lost or hurt myself ( ie needing assistance but not life threatening)

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Hi Graham. If you hurt yourself and couldn't get back to others readily for assistance (that eliminates minor cuts) or become lost, then that's what the PLB or EPIRB is for. The system is to prevent people from eventually dying through injury, lack of food/water/being lost and being in imminent danger - boat sinking/sunk, lost, in bush with broken leg, in the remote outback with no moving vehicle and no food/water.

Recently two truckies died in WA when their vehicle broke down and they attempted to walk to a station house. They died from heat and lack of water. If they had either of these devices and stayed in their vehicle, it would have been a legitimate use of them and they would no doubt be on TV telling us of their rescue afterwards.

Plendo · Guru

Graham, it is my understanding that both of the situations you mention would qualify as life threatening.

The following is a quote directly from the AMSA (the relevant governing body) web site:

"Two-way communications via a mobile/satellite phone or radio is the most effective means of communication when in a distress situation, with some of the reasons outlined below:

Instant confirmation that the call has been received by emergency services;
Ability to communicate position, nature of distress, required assistance;
Emergency services can adequately scale response assets according to required assistance;
Ability to provide updates on the situation and also receive advice until emergency services arrive.

If two-way communications are not available, then a distress beacon should be activated in situations of grave and imminent danger. This equates to when you feel you are facing a life threatening situation. This is a personal decision that is different for everybody."

grahamg · Senior Member

in transit wrote:
Spot 3 sounds interesting and I notice that Johnie Appleseed has them for a bit over $200. However without delving too deeply into it I can't see a schedule of what it costs to use the various features, whether there is just one schedule to cover every feature, or whether you pick the features you want. I imagine that after the subscription has been purchased there are additional call charges which might be handled on a pre-paid basis.
I look forward to reading future forum comments on this product.

Looked at the spot3 device, looks interesting. It looks like the basic sub. is about $us 150/year. Interested to hear if anyone has used this in Australia.

-- Edited by grahamg on Sunday 26th of April 2015 09:49:16 AM

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Using our "Spot Connect" Graham, so far just in testing. We have pre-programmed in Family and Friends. Tested it yesterday. Worked a treat again. I am confident that it is going to be fine in areas with no phone service. If you include your contacts email address as well as mobile number they get a more detailed message with links to maps which shows them exactly where you are. Happy to answer any other questions. Took a bit of setting up, but nothing too difficult. I have also tested the tracking system which is a great feature. As you said, there is an annual fee with extras you can pay for if you want to send sms and email. Cheers, Bob

iana · Guru

I have an epirb on the boat, just a note that if you set up an account on the net with amsa, you can enter details i.e. your proposed trip, vehicle rego, no. of persons etc, and edit it for each trip.

AL H · Veteran Member

After doing my research, I went with the GME PLB for $300, no further costs. I carry it on my body.

Plendo · Guru

I finally made a decision, and opted for the KTi SA2G PLB.

Why ?

1. I chose to go PLB over messenger because it communicates directly with AMSA through the proper safety satellites, one of which is geo stationary almost directly above Australia. I was a little concerned about the need to relay through a third party with the messenger, and also with their reduced power.

2. I chose the KTi, over the competition because they are a local Australian (Cheltenham in Victoria) company, offering a product with a longer battery life (till 2026) than the others, and as a bonus it is cheaper.

Hopefully we will never need to use it, but it is just another level of insurance, particularly for Carol.

Baz421 · Guru

Hi all AMSA was kind enough to respond to my email on this subject, here's their reply. Thanks AMSA.

READ CARFULLY PLEASE IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND ALL PARTS (if interested) .

Thank-you for your enquiry.

Below is some information regarding SPOT vs a 406MHz PLB which I believe you may find helpful.

SPOT Devices and Compliance with COSPAS-SARSAT

The SPOT device is not compliant with Cospas-Sarsat.

Use of non-COSPAS-SARSAT Devices (as a means of emergency contact for workers in remote and isolated areas)

First and foremost, AMSA advocates that verbal communication should be attempted first. Therefore, we recommend that staff have a satellite phone as a first safety product. Two way radio/satellite communications is the most effective means of communication, with some of the reasons outlined below:

Instant confirmation that the call has been received by emergency services;
Ability to communicate position, nature of distress, required assistance;
Emergency services can adequately scale response assets according to required assistance;
Ability to provide updates on the situation and also receive advice until emergency services arrive.

AMSA also recommends that radio/satellite communications are carried in conjunction with another device in case the phone method does not work. There are a range of products on the market and AMSA recommends you assess and compare the performance and expectations of the various products, which are suited to the specific conditions for which it is required. As a start, below is a comparison of the distress alerting device (406 MHz distress beacon) and the SPOT device.

406 MHz distress beacon
If your objective is to purchase a distress alerting device then a properly registered 406 MHz distress beacon equipped with GPS is the best SAR alerting device apart from two way radio/satellite communications. If a 406 MHz Distress Beacon is activated in Australia, then under normal circumstances the RCC will receive the alert within several minutes, identify and contact the registered owner in distress and/or the designated emergency contact, and coordinate the response as the specific incident requires. The RCC has direct access to the Cospas-Sarsat beacon detection system. The 406 MHz distress beacons also transmit a homing frequency on 121.5 MHz (International Aviation Distress Frequency) in which commercial aircraft monitor and is also utilised for final homing of the beacon and person/s in distress.

SPOT device
If your objective is to purchase a tracking device to assist relatives or company to identify your position then SPOT appears to be a good tracking device with an auxiliary alerting feature using the Global Star satellite system (not Cospas-Sarsat). If you press the '911' or 'SOS' distress button the alert is sent to SPOT (IERCC), a privately owned company located in Texas USA. AMSA relies upon the IERCC to contact AMSA to provide the registered owner details and position report in order to coordinate the search & rescue response. AMSA does not have access to the SPOT system. Also, unlike a 406 beacon SPOT does not have a homing signal so we rely upon the position details provided by SPOT and any updated position reports. When the IERCC receive initial notification of an active SPOT device they attempt to call the registered owner or emergency contact first. Once they validate a true distress and not a false activation they will then contact AMSA if the distress location is identified in the Australian SAR region. The time in which the IERCC contact AMSA and provide the registered details can average 30mins to 1hr.

The other significant difference between a 406 MHz distress beacon and SPOT is that 406 MHz distress beacons are tested and comply not only with an international standard but also each countrys National standard. There is no technical standard that SPOT has been tested or approved against, as it doesnt exist as of yet. There is no Australian Standard for this product to be approved against. In the international SAR industry it has been suggested that an international standard should be developed to ensure all similar devices like this conform to an agreed standard.

Note: SPOT does not meet any carriage requirements as a replacement to a 406 MHz Distress Beacon under the Maritime or Aviation legislation.