TheHeaths wrote:

---

The only comment I would make with respect to using a PLB is this.

The communication is one way only, so you are not aware when the signal is received. It is also not possible to describe what has happened, and what rescue or service is needed.

They are a good adjunct, but I would also suggest the use of a sat phone that allows 2 way communication, and incident description, ensuring the correct services and response units are activated. You are also aware of the message being received, and communication can be updated as and when necessary.

---

 All true.

A sat phone will cost several times more and will have monthly ongoing costs. The PLB is a bargain, by comparison.

I have NEVER heard of a PLB failing and the response times seem extraordinary every time I hear of one being used.  Typically they make a couple of phone calls to you and your contacts immediately a signal is received to eliminate accidental activations. Then they often despatch an aircraft to the scene to see the situation and then immediately despatch a ground vehicle or helicopter depending on what they see to make the rescue or whatever is required.

This is all free.

If you call for help using a sat phone, expect to pay for whatever service that you request, if you know who to call.

And how do they find you? The PLB tells the authorities EXACTLY where you are and keeps telling them even if you are unconscious. You could be 50m off Highway 1 after loosing control of your vehicle and ending up upside down in the scrub trapped in your vehicle and invisible from the road. You are going to be very hard to find without a PLB.

As a side issue, a PLB will work anywhere in the world. When we volunteered in Fiji for 2 years, we took our PLB. When we go overseas anywhere, we take our PLB. I would not expect the same service overseas, but Australian authorities will know you are in trouble and are likely to coordinate services.

So my view is if you can afford a sat phone, definitely go for it, but make it IN ADDITION to a PLB, not instead of one.

Cheers,

Peter

We have had a GME PLB (Sydney based company) since 2012, if you are traveling into remote areas it is a MUST. Make sure you buy with GPS tracking.  You will need to register it with a Government website so that they know who owns, what potential medical emergencies are possible and who to contact if it does go off

Register it here - https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/

We sent our back to get its 7 year service in 2019, cost $200, new battery, checks and ready for another 7 years

My son, an avid 4x4'er and bush motorbike rider has one as well

When triggered any aircraft in the area is re-directed to spot you, they will then direct helicopters, land rescue to your aid - there could be a 2-3 hour lapse before someone gets to you, or if more remote areas many hours, but no different to a Sat phone

-- Edited by Trevor 57 on Friday 26th of March 2021 06:00:31 AM

Trevor 57 wrote:

---

TheHeaths wrote:

---

The only comment I would make with respect to using a PLB is this.

The communication is one way only, so you are not aware when the signal is received. It is also not possible to describe what has happened, and what rescue or service is needed.

They are a good adjunct, but I would also suggest the use of a sat phone that allows 2 way communication, and incident description, ensuring the correct services and response units are activated. You are also aware of the message being received, and communication can be updated as and when necessary.

Other than that, I worked for Whitworths and dealt with both units. Both are very good, both 7 year battery life, GME 7 year warranty, unsure on ResQ Me unit, GME $70 cheaper at Whitworths at $299.

The other option, if you already have a boat EPIRB, you can register a secondary use as travel onshore, and use that. Not as compact, but does reduce cost and multi uses the EPIRB! This is what I have done.

---

 I am told reliably, sat phones like PLB's remote access to satellites can be hit and miss

-- Edited by Trevor 57 on Friday 26th of March 2021 05:57:44 AM

---

 Peter and yourself are correct. Cost is higher for the phone, and satellites are at times out of sight.

I was putting it forward as an addition, as while PLBs should only be used for life threatening situations when accessible to satellites, the phone offers an ability, when satellites are visible, to call for non life threatening matters, and perhaps get a solution over the phone.

Cost is really not that an obstacle, as for people travelling around Australia, they are already investing a lot of money in vehicles, vans, fuel, accomodation and the like, and getting something like a Thuraya Sat sleeve, to convert their existing phone to satellite usage is in my opinion a sound investment in their own safety as well as that of others.

As I say, I advocate the use of both if possible.

I note I am not associated with Thuraya, but simply put this forward as an option I have seen.

Mike Harding wrote:

---

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

---

I have NEVER heard of a PLB failing

---

 Well you wouldn't... would you!

---

 Of course you would - it would be page 1 news.

Cheers,

Peter

gdayjr wrote:

---

On a slightly different topic, but relevant, We have all heard of emergency apps for our phones such as Emergency Plus.

Do yourself a favour and download one that is far more accurate, and one to share with all of your mates, and people who you want to let know where you are.
Very acurate anywhere on the mainland.


what3words.com/guard.cling.radio

It divides the land mass into 3square meter blocks, and each one has its own unique 3 word code.

Simply open the app, and it will locate exactly where you are to with 3 meters. It will display three words, those are your exact location
send the 3 words to your contact, they then put those three words into the app on their phone or computer etc, and know exactly where you are.

Becoming very popular in other countries, and catching on in Australai pretty quick.

For those that want to find me, i am at the following addr
quit.silver.twice"

............... 

Or use standard degrees and any of 50 navigation apps will be able to find you - half of them without a phone service either

---

Aussie1 wrote:

---

Mike, It certainly would be page 1 news.

---

Think it through.

----

EPIRBs/PLBs are *NOT* get out of jail free cards and should not be considered such.

Due to the high frequency nature of their signals they may not work in a number of locations including heavy forest and especially so when the trees are wet. Additionally; the cavalry do not immediately leap from stage left and rescue you. A bite from a brown snake will likely kill well before help has arrived and "help" certainly won't have anti-venom with it.

I am a supporter of EPIRBs of encourage people to carry one but they are *NOT* a substitute for experience and good judgement.

Also the EPIRB design may have issues: a few years back I discovered that when I stored my GME EPIRB with a small portable radio the EPIRB went into test mode and had I not realised would have drained its battery within a day or so. This was caused by GME using a reed switch to generate test mode, the reed switch allowed them to easily and cheaply maintain IP67 integrity. Trouble is reed switches are activated by a magnet - any magnet - including the one in the speaker of my radio. There was no facility to test the battery on this EPIRB so there was no telling if it would actually work when needed. The manual made no mention of this design shortcoming. I informed GME at director level and they were rather worried but had no solution - how could they? They eventually discontinued the product.

Don't rely solely upon a box of electronics for your life.

Aussie1 wrote:

---

Yes all good stuff Mike however, no hard evidence of nil or poor response.

---

Clearly I was too subtle.

If someone in a life threatening situation triggers an EPIRB and, for whatever reason, it fails to elicit a response and said person dies there is a significant probability no one will ever know about the failure.

Mike Harding wrote:

---

Aussie1 wrote:

---

Yes all good stuff Mike however, no hard evidence of nil or poor response.

---

Clearly I was too subtle.

If someone in a life threatening situation triggers an EPIRB and, for whatever reason, it fails to elicit a response and said person dies there is a significant probability no one will ever know about the failure.

Let me turn your question around:

Do you have evidence to establish that EPIRBs never fail?

---

Common courtesy dictates that one would answer a question as asked before "turning it around". But there you go, it just depends on wether one actually has an answer. In the meantime I will stick to relying on (but hoping never have to use it) our PLB. You stay safe Cobber.

I could follow your thinking Mike. As you say, a bit too subtle.