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Post Info TOPIC: The case for PLBs and EPIRBs in life threatening emergencies.
Peter_n_Margaret


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The case for PLBs and EPIRBs in life threatening emergencies.
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A PLB is a Personal Locating Beacon which, when activated, guides rescue authorities to its location.
http://epirb.com/difference_between_EPIRBs_PLBs.php

Margaret and I have carried one on our travels for over 20 years. Many would agree that this is a good idea for remote travel, but not necessary for the majority of people.
We would argue to the contrary.

Last weekend, there was an aircraft crash a couple of hundred ks from Adelaide. I won't provide details because I did not see it reported in the press, but the rescue story is worth repeating.

An aircraft crashed close to an airport. It was witnessed by several people. It crashed into a nearby vineyard and an ambulance was immediately called and the witnesses headed towards the crash site, but they could not find it amongst the vines.
The witnesses were in telephone contact with the ambulance as it approached and told them they could not find the crash site.
The ambulance replied that they knew exactly where it was, they had to enter the second block via the third gate and the aircraft was 100m in from the fence (I am paraphrasing).
The aircraft was fitted with a PLB. The ambulance was being relayed the position information.

I would encourage all travellers to carry a PLB. They are the most reliable method of getting emergency assistance. Not only do they send the message "We need help", but they tell the emergency services EXACTLY where you are, something that you may not be able to do on the telephone.
We have also taken ours with us when we travel overseas, we would not expect the same response, but at least people in Oz would know we needed help. It is important to keep authorities informed about where you are when out of Australia, but this is easy to do, on line.

Some statistics of rescues...... http://www.cospas-sarsat.int/?option=co ... 57&lang=en
In short, for around $300, this is the best insurance you can buy. 7 year battery life and no annual fees.
https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/emerge ... 0gaus.aspx

Cheers,
Peter



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Hey Jim


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Hi Peter n Margaret,

Couldn't agree more. We take our Epirb out of our boat with us. If one of us was to get bitten by a snake, or illness as we are a long way at times from help. Some of the western browns we have seen are 8ft in the old scale. That is my biggest fear. Two hours without proper treatment and you can be gone. We have drilled ourselfves over and over. I carry creap bandages X 2 on me at all times. Lambie had a western brown 5ft go straight through her legs while sitting reading a book at 5.30pm near a bore drain at Walgett NSW in 2008.Only that I saw it first and told her to freeze, things could have turned out very different. They come out of the cracks in the ground up that way, as it cools down. Looking for an evening  feed.

Jim & Lambie



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Bruce and Bev


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Also agree Peter. We paid $260 for our PLB at BCF - Aussie made and complies with all the legal requirements. Small and can almost be carried in a pocket - when we go off walking, we carry it in a small backpack with food rations and water, just in case.

The benefit over all other devices, is EPIRBs (usually quite a bit bigger and heavier and not so good to carry on a walk or hike) and PLBs will work anywhere in Aust. No costs after purchase and they guarantee to locate you (not actually rescue you) within 2 hours of activating either of the beacons. Time to rescue depends on how long it takes ground crews or helicopters to get to you, or the weather.

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Cheers Bruce

 

The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
dogbox


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one of the big benefits of the beacons is it tells them where you are. next time your out an a bout think about how you would tell some one your location so you could be located be honest an think if the person on the other end of phone/radio would know how to get to you. usually when you are instrife there are no street no./signs ect

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Allany


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Just make sure it is a 406mhz EPIRB as the older ones are no longer supported
It is also a legal requirement to register the beacon with AMSA
If you are using your beacon between your car and boat make sure they are both registered

Allan

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