Save Yourself, Carry a PLB

I have said it many times; sportsmen, hikers, canoeists, or any one venturing into the wilderness should carry a PLB. What is it? A PLB is a personal locator beacon capable of sending out a personalized emergency distress signal to a network of orbiting military satellites. These satellites can then relay your information to search-and-rescue teams anywhere in the world.

PLBs have rugged, waterproof plastic housings and are powered by special long-lasting lithium batteries.

PLBs transmit signals on internationally recognized distress frequencies. In the U.S., PLBs transmit at 406 MHz (MegaHertz), a frequency monitored by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the AFRCC.

A PLB communicates with a network of Russian, Canadian, American and French satellites known as COSPAS-SARSAT (SARSAT is an acronym for "Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking").

After receiving your transmission, these satellites "fix" on your location using a Doppler Shift method and relay your information to the AFRCC where search and rescue procedures begin. If you use a GPS-compatible PLB, you can deliver your GPS coordinates very quickly without having to wait for the satellites to determine your position.

A PLB comes equipped with a long-lasting lithium battery. This battery remains dormant until you flip the switch to activate the PLB.

By COSPAS-SARSAT regulations:

    * A class 1 heavy-duty battery must be able to transmit at -40°F (-40°C) for 24 hours.

    * A class 2 battery must be able to transmit at -20°F (-28.9°C) for 24 hours.

Cold temperatures will shorten a battery's operating time, and the situations above represent worst-case scenarios. For example, at a temperature of 70°F, these batteries will operate for approximately twice as long as they will at very cold temperatures.

What about the SPOT Satellite Messenger?

A SPOT satellite messenger is a more recent GPS-based innovation that allows you to send your coordinates and status to family and friends, as well as send calls for help. It relies on commercial satellites rather than the military network used by PLBs. While it's a handy tool for casual hikers and backpackers, a SPOT signal is considerably less powerful than a PLB signal and is not intended for serious mountaineering use. An annual subscription fee is required.

In summary a PLB can save your life. I personally have both a PLB and a SPOT. I use the PLB when I am venturing into Canada or the BWCA, or any place where help is a long ways away. I like the SPOT if I am venturing locally, and can send out a signal to my family that I am OK, or even let them know if I need roadside assistance. I strongly recommend that you buy a PLB if you spend time in the outdoors, it may save your life. While I am at it, a PLB is no good if you can’t use it, so whenever on the water, wear a life jacket. The new inflatables are hardly noticeable and coast guard approved. I never let anyone in my boat without wearing a life jacket. It is so ingrained in my fishing partners that the last time I picked a friend up at his house he already had his on.

Parts of this article came from the REI web site, which incidentally is a good place to start your search for a PLB. I also recommend the ACR Electronics web site.