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Emergency Personal Locator Beacons

Emergency Personal Locator Beacons


Postby Andyroo99 » Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:38 pm

A quick question for Forum users.

I’ve so far survived 30 plus years wandering both the Scottish hills and other mountainous and wild parts of the world – and also kayaking/canoeing many remote locations – touch wood!

However, regularly undertaking solo trips, I’ve now started to think about the possibility of using some form of emergency personal locator beacon – just in case!

In essence, I would probably just be looking for something that could be activated in an emergency – to alert of my location and that there was an emergency underway. And I probably wouldn’t be too worried about any such device also having the ability for two way communication – especially if that came with additional/subscription cost.

From my initial research there is obviously the Garmin inReach Mini (with some additional usage costs) – but also the McMurdo FastFind 220 GPS PLB.

I just wondered what people’s views/experiences/recommendations were on a suitable device.

Many thanks.
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Re: Emergency Personal Locator Beacons

Postby LoveWalking » Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:28 pm

I carry the Ocean Signal RescueMe. Activate in an emergency and without two way communication. Seven year battery life. Thankfully haven't had to use it but as I usually walk alone I like to have it with me.
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Re: Emergency Personal Locator Beacons

Postby Caberfeidh » Sat Jan 29, 2022 2:21 pm

LoveWalking wrote:I carry the Ocean Signal RescueMe. Activate in an emergency and without two way communication. Seven year battery life. Thankfully haven't had to use it but as I usually walk alone I like to have it with me.


That's the kind I have, and take it with me when hillwalking, canoeing, or just out for a wander on a remote beach. It may not be me that needs rescuing. I bought it after one of Walkhighlands' own, Alison Fox, died in a blizzard a few years back. (the Beast from the East, as it was called). If she had a PLB she may well have survived. Other gear that gets used a lot; boots, rucksack, waterproof jacket. all these things we see the need for the expense, but two hundred quid for a PLB sounds a bit overwhelming, especially as you would hope never to need it. But for that one time you do need it, two hundred quid doesn't seem much at all.
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Re: Emergency Personal Locator Beacons

Postby Jim777 » Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:46 pm

Since I have in the main walked on my own for many years I thought it wise to invest in a PLB and purchased a McMurdo Fast Find Ranger. It recommends the battery be changed every 6 years which happens to be this year - the cost is £126 - but what price a life. It was only last month that I was contacted by the Maritime and Coastguard Beacon Registry, who these PLB’s are registered with, as they were setting up a new registry service.
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Re: Emergency Personal Locator Beacons

Postby WalkWithWallace » Mon Jan 31, 2022 7:52 am

If it's purely for raising an alarm for an emergency, then get the McMurdo effort.
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Re: Emergency Personal Locator Beacons

Postby Andyroo99 » Mon Jan 31, 2022 11:53 pm

Many thanks for your replies and insight - much appreciated.

Cheers.
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