Anyone who watches the news on a regular basis is well aware that every year, there are people who venture into the wilderness for a day or a weekend of outdoor recreation and, due to either a lack of diligence or, a lack of woodcraft skills, they either become lost or injured and, while some of these people are found in time, others sadly, are not.
However, this needless loss of life could easily be prevented if people would simply choose to purchase and carry with them a simple device known as a Personal Locator Beacon (aka PLB). But, what is a personal locator beacon you may ask?
Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are designed to provide a safeguard in the event of an emergency. They are invaluable tools for adventurers who are out in the wilderness, and can be used to provide an emergency signal when a person is in distress.
PLBs are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry and store when not in use. They are designed to transmit a signal to a satellite that can then be used to pinpoint the exact location of the person in distress. This eliminates the need to search for a lost or injured individual, making it much easier for search and rescue teams to find them.
The signal sent by the PLB is extremely powerful and has a range of up to 400 miles. This allows rescuers to quickly locate a person even in remote and isolated areas. It also ensures that the distress call is not blocked by any physical barriers.
PLBs are also very reliable, with a 99% success rate in sending out the distress signal. Furthermore, they are incredibly affordable, with many units costing as little as $100.
Thus, anyone who ventures into the wilderness for any length of time from an afternoon to an extended expedition should carry one of these devices with them for, while you hopefully will never need it, if you ever do, it will undoubtedly instantly become your best friend!
How they work
For those of you who are not familiar with these simple magic devices, there are two different varieties available from several different manufacturers such as DeLorme, ACR, and McMurdo. However, the distinguishing difference between the two different types of PLB’s is that one type only transmits a distress signal whereas, the other type transmits both a distress call and your exact longitude and latitude via a built-in GPS transceiver.
Also, all PLB’s use a 406 MHz radio frequency to broadcast a distress call which is transmitted to a worldwide, non-geostationary, COSPASS-SARSAT International Satellite Rescue system as well as to any passing military or commercial aircraft which are all required to monitor emergency frequencies whenever they are airborne.
Plus, they also transmit a 121.5 MHz homing signal that helps rescuers to more precisely locate a person once they are on the scene.
Then, once your distress call is received by the system, your longitude and latitude are forwarded to the nearest rescue agency and a rescue team is commonly dispatched to your location within one hour.
Accidental Transmissions
However, because hundreds of false distress calls are accidentally transmitted by PLB’s each year, all of these devices transmitting on the 406 MHz frequency now include a 15, 22, or 30 character serial number called a “Hex Code” which you are required to register with the appropriate agency and which must be updated each year.
Also, in addition to registering your PLB via its hex code, you are also required to include information such as your name, a phone number that the rescuing agency can use to reach someone who can verify that you are in the field and that there may be an emergency, a physical description of the owner of the PLB for on-site identification, and any other information that may useful to the rescuing agency so that they can identify you once they are on the scene.
But, due to the difficulty of locating a person in heavy cover, it should be noted that it’s also a wise idea to carry a coach’s whistle with you as well in case you are lost or injured in a location with limited visibility since, even with a GPS transmitter installed, PLB’s are only capable of transmitting your exact location to within 50 meters.
Therefore, repeatedly blowing long and loud on your whistle with a pause in between each toot will help rescuers to home in on your exact position once they are on the scene. Last, it should also be noted three blasts in a row on a whistle, three gunshots, three flashes from a flashlight, or any other succession of three signals is universally recognized as a distress call and thus, by carrying an additional signaling device, you may be able to get help from people nearby without having to resort to your PLB.
Cost and Operation
Furthermore, these devices are commonly available for around $250.00 which is about equal to the cost of a new smartphone. However, when you compare that to the hours or even days that you will not be forced to endure while waiting for someone to notice that you are missing and then for rescuers to finally close in on your position, it is really a very small price to pay.
Also, each of these devices features a tough, shockproof, polycarbonate, outer shell which is sealed to make the unit waterproof and includes a integral antenna. In addition, they are very easy to operate since all you have to do is extend the antenna and then press two buttons at the same time and the S.O.S. signal, along with your GPS coordinates, will be transmitted to the COSPASS-SARSAT satellite system after a short delay of about 60 seconds to allow you to turn of the unit off in the event that you do accidentally activate it.
Plus, they also feature a “test” function which enables you to test both the unit’s battery and its functionality without transmitting a false distress call. Last, each of these units features an integral battery with a shelf life of up to six years that can be stored at temperatures ranging from -22° F to 158° F and, they will usually transmit for a full twenty-four hours before the battery dies.
Consequently, if everyone who chose to enter the wilderness for a bit of recreation would choose to purchase and carry a PLB instead of their cell phone (which is unreliable at best in remote locations), then the stories we see on the news each year of people wondering off of the trail and becoming lost or injured and not being found or rescued in time would quickly become nonexistent and the needless loss of life could easily be prevented!
Also, because PLB’s are small and relatively lightweight, they are convenient to carry and require little more room in your pocket, day pack, or back pack than a smart phone. But, most importantly, if you are one of those unfortunate people who suddenly finds themselves in need of a rescue, then you will thank yourself a thousand times over that you had to foresight to purchase this small, electronic, insurance policy and, your family will thank you as well since, simply by having a PLB with you when you enter the wilderness, your chances of surviving an emergency situation will be drastically increased!
Here is the bestselling PLB for you to check out:
- No Subscription Required Enjoy peace of mind with no ongoing fees, knowing you're always ready for rescue with reliable, subscription-free coverage.
- 406 MHz Distress and Homing Dignals Providing powerful alerts to rescuers, ensuring your location is quickly identified for a fast and accurate response.
- LED Strobe and Infrared Strobe Ensures maximum visibility in low-light and nighttime conditions, making it easier for rescuers to find you in any environment.
- Global Coverage / Cospas-Sarsat / MEOSAR Offers global coverage, ensuring rescue capabilities via Cospas-Sarsat and MEOSAR satellite systems.
- GPS and Galileo GNSS Featuring GPS and Galileo GNSS, this device ensures precise location tracking, providing accurate position data to support efficient and timely rescue operations.
- Once activated, an SOS distress signal with GPS position is sent direct to Search and Rescue forces worldwide using the 406 MHz Emergency Distress Signal with 121.5 MHz Homing Signal (No Subscription...
- Small, rugged, lightweight personal locator beacon that is buoyant and includes attachment clips including a belt clip, oral inflation tube clip, straps and lanyards for increased wearability for...
- Send pre-canned non-emergency self test and GPS test messages to multiple contacts via text message (SMS) and email with a customized message using the optional 406Link testing subscription
- Global Coverage using the 3 satellite constellations of COSPAS-SARSAT, which sends your distress message directly to Search and Rescue agencies worldwide without the need for a rescue monitoring...
- A bright LED Strobe light as well as an Infrared Strobe light ensures multiple visual signals to rescuers
- The ACR ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon ensures your safety in emergencies, offering GPS tracking, bright strobe, and fast rescue capabilities in a compact design.
- The C-Strobe H2O Rescue Light provides bright, reliable signaling for rescuers in emergencies, featuring waterproof design and high-visibility LED for day or night use.
- The Res-Q Whistle delivers a loud, clear sound to attract attention in emergencies, compact and durable, designed for easy use in any survival situation.
- The RapidDitch Drybag keeps your survival gear safe and dry in any conditions, offering waterproof protection and easy access to essentials during emergencies.
- The Signal Mirror offers a reliable way to signal for help in emergencies, reflecting sunlight over long distances to attract attention, even in remote locations.
- Personal Locator Beacon: Keep safe on every trip with the rescueME PLB1, our most compact locator beacon yet.
- One-Handed Operation: Highly intuitive, the PLB1 can be operated easily with one hand in even the most challenging situations, ensuring you can always activate the beacon when you need it.
- Highly Compact: 30% smaller than our next smallest beacon, and weighing just 4 oz, the PLB1 takes minimal space in your backpack and attaches easily to your lifejacket with the unique mounting clip.
- Durable Everywhere: Designed with durability in mind, the PLB1 is waterproof up to 49 feet, helping you stay safe in even the harshest of conditions.
- Stay Seen: The PLB1 features a 66 channel GPS receiver and a 1 candela high-intensity strobe light, ensuring maximum geolocation coverage and visibility when you need it most.
- RLS (Return Link Service) confirms that Search and Rescue has received the emergency distress signal, alerting the beacon owner.
- Digital display with infrared strobe for clear visibility and enhanced signal detection in emergency situations.
- No subscription required, 5-year battery life, and 28+ hours of operational life for reliable performance in emergencies.
- GPS, Galileo GNSS, and MEOSAR compatibility provide global coverage for reliable and accurate positioning in any emergency situation.
- Built-in buoyancy, compact and lightweight design, with a multifunction clip system for easy attachment and portability during outdoor adventures.
- RLS (Return Link Service) confirms that Search and Rescue has received the emergency distress signal, alerting the beacon owner.
- No subscription required, 5-year battery life, and 24+ hours of operational life for reliable performance in emergencies.
- GPS, Galileo GNSS, and MEOSAR compatibility provide global coverage for reliable and accurate positioning in any emergency situation.
- Built-in buoyancy, small and lightweight design, with both strobe and infrared strobe lights for enhanced visibility in emergencies.
- Includes a multifunction clip system for versatile attachment options, ensuring easy carry and quick access during emergencies.
In summary, personal locator beacons are invaluable tools for anyone adventuring outdoors, as they can provide the peace of mind of knowing that help can be quickly summoned in the event of an emergency. They are also very reliable, easy to carry, and affordable, making them an essential piece of safety equipment for any outdoor enthusiast.
