Ep 49 - PLB Comparisons

For links to everything mentioned in this episode, check out our show notes:
www.snowys.com.au/blog/podcas...
Beyond the beaten tracks, past suburban abodes, and smack-bang in the middle of barren landscapes - our normal way of communicating with family, friends, and services may not always suffice.
There’s a beacon for that.
In this episode, Ben and Lauren enter the Snowys satellite and activate an extensive analysis of the various beacons and communication devices available to avid adventurers. Be it spare tyres from mates, or dire straits - a Personal Locator Beacon or satellite message device stimulates assistance in all those off-chance emergencies off the grid.
00:00 - Introduction
01:18 - PLBs and Satellite Message Devices
02:41 - What is a PLB?
07:12 - Satellite Messages Options
11:11 - PLBs Vs Satellite Message Devices
16:18 - Considering a PLB
19:47 - When to NOT Use a PLB
24:55 - Which PLB Should I Buy?
Join the conversation over on our Facebook group: / snowys
Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
www.snowys.com.au

[@andylo727]

Lauren and Ben, always love your work but this time I feel you are either a little under research on the sticking points; Or a little too product focus (then it's understandable) The department does Search and Rescue in Australia (S&R) is AUSTRALIAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY or AMSA, and if it happens on land it will transfer to State Police. I have contacted them directly and have everything in black and white in email. My post here is rescue/cost of rescue/cost of medical treatment orientated, with just tiny bit of common sense technical stuff, also ONLY IN AUSTRALIA. Snowys can worry about what device is the best for your own needs. I will summarised a few sticking points and then post the rest of email for details and as reference: 1) Rescue cost: In Australia the cost of the search and rescue to the nearest point of safety is covered by the Government 2) Medical cost (separate from rescue): Cost of medical treatment or recovery of assets/belongings IS NOT INCLUDED! AMSA recommend that you have ambulance cover as the transfer from the nearest point of safety may require an ambulance service. 3) Is there a delay on using PLB (406MHz directly to AMSA) vs Satellite Messenger (iridium network)??: No, because the signal is send to local Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) and the RCC is within AMSA in Canberra anyway. 4) Is there disadvantage/difference using PLB or Satellite Messenger (I will call this "SENDs" from now on): PLB continuously sends homing/beacon signal to AMSA, so you can keep turning it on while moving and they will find you. SENDs only send the GEOS once! You have to keep sending it (as in clicking the button) when you moving to a new location. 5) Any other factors will Delays S&R??: If the location of distress is on land the search and rescue coordination response is handed over from RCC Australia to the State Police. The time it takes for search and rescue personnel to reach you depends on a number of factors, including the weather, terrain, resource availability and accessibility of your location. The more remote the location of the distress incident, the longer the response time. In all instances, "be prepared to survive!!!" 6) What does AMSA recommended? In summary: Satellite phone, then PLB or EPIRB, then SENDs. More in the full email about this. 7) Anything else I need to worry about: CORRECTLY deploy the device after it's turn on: Antenna pointing to the sky! And hopefully you are in a very bared environment (not covered by thick tress/forest etc). The more sky you see the better. Again the above summaries are what I think are the sticking points, in Australia. I don't care about oversea at this stage and I can't find sufficient info anyway. The following is the full email if you make it this far: Thank-you for your enquiry. Below is the guidance that we provide on PLBs and SENDs. In Australia the cost of the search and rescue to the nearest point of safety is covered by the Government, this does not include medical treatment or recovery of assets/belongings. We recommend that you have ambulance cover as the transfer from the nearest point of safety may require an ambulance service. First and foremost, AMSA advocates that verbal communication should be attempted first. Therefore, we recommend to carry a mobile/satellite phone as a first safety product. Two way mobile/satellite communications is the most effective means of communication, with some of the reasons outlined below: a) Instant confirmation that the call has been received by emergency services ‘000’; b) Ability to communicate position, nature of distress, required assistance; c) Emergency services can adequately scale response assets according to required assistance; d) Ability to provide updates on the situation and also receive advice until emergency services arrive. AMSA also recommends that phone/satellite communications are carried in conjunction with another distress alerting device in case the phone method does not work. The activation of a 406 MHz Distress Beacon or SEND device (SOS/Distress button) is when in ‘Grave and Imminent Danger’ after all attempts of verbal communication has been attempted. There is a range of products on the market and AMSA recommends consumers assess and compare the performance and expectations of the various products, which are suited to the specific conditions for which it is required. As a start, below is a comparison of the 406 MHz distress beacon, SPOT, Iridium Extreme and Garmin InReach devices. 406 MHz distress beacon (PLB or EPIRB) If your objective is to purchase a distress alerting device then a properly registered 406 MHz distress beacon equipped with GPS is the best SAR alerting device apart from two way phone/satellite communications. If a 406 MHz Distress Beacon is activated in Australia, then under normal circumstances the RCC will receive the alert within several minutes, identify and contact the registered owner in distress and/or the designated emergency contact. If the location of distress is on land the search and rescue coordination response is handed over from RCC Australia to the State Police. The time it takes for search and rescue personnel to reach you depends on a number of factors, including the weather, terrain, resource availability and accessibility of your location. The more remote the location of the distress incident, the longer the response time. In all instances, be prepared to survive. The RCC has direct access to the Cospas-Sarsat beacon detection system. The 406 MHz distress beacons also transmit a homing frequency on 121.5 MHz (International Aviation Distress Frequency) in which commercial aircraft monitor and is utilised for final homing of the beacon and person/s in distress. 406 MHz PLBs must be compliant with AS/NZs 4280.2. 406 MHz EPIRBs must be compliant with AS/NZS 4280.1. 406 MHz distress beacons must be registered with AMSA, registration is free, www.amsa.gov.au/beacons 406 MHz PLBs have a self-contained battery with a life span of between 6 to 10 years. PLB battery life once activated will transmit a distress signal for a minimum of 24 hours and an EPIRB is 48 hours. Distress beacons can be serviced by the manufacturer. Note: Satellites cannot detect beacons through mountains, trees or buildings. The beacon must be deployed correctly with the aerial vertical in a clear open area or highest point if you are located in a valley to enable the Cospas-Sarsat satellites to receive your distress alert message Satellite Emergency Notification Devices (SENDs): SENDs (such as SPOT, Garmin InReach, Iridium Extreme, Trac Plus, Zoleo etc.) are designed with functionality including; tracking, two way communication SMS/Voice and they have a SOS distress function. This distress signal is received by the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), who transfer the alert information to the local Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC). In Australia the RCC is located within AMSA, Canberra office. If the location of distress is on land the search and rescue coordination response is handed over from RCC Australia to the State Police. Unlike a 406 beacon, SENDs do not have a homing signal so we rely upon the position details provided by GEOS and any updated position reports. SENDs require a paid subscription with the manufacturer to enable them to operate. SENDs cannot be registered with AMSA. The battery must be charged before use or some models require replacement batteries (spare set should be carried). Note: SENDs do not meet any carriage requirements as a replacement to a 406 MHz Distress Beacon under the Maritime or Aviation legislation. AMSA Beacons information website - www.amsa.gov.au/beacons For further assistance contact them on: [e-mail]

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Thanks Andy, this is awesome information. We didn't go into this much detail, often questions come up in our minds during episodes in which we don't have time to research, but the great thing is that it sparks the conversation and we get details like what you have provided here for which everyone can benefit. We appreciate your time to post this. ~ Ben

[@MissFrequestion]

Thank you so much for all the information. It helps me a lot now that I need to make a decision and choose a PLB.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I'm glad you found it useful, MissFrequestion. ~ Ben

[@martinadonkers4642]

Thank you!! This was really helpful - I've been trying to figure out which one to get. I prefer Aus made, but as a SUPer, it sounds like the Ocean Signal is the one for me.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Probably a good choice, Martina, I'm glad this episode was helpful. ~ Ben

[@apsilonblue]

Very timely given my GME PLB battery expires May this year. Like Ben I found the price to have the battery replaced was only about $10 less than a new one and I'm not sure they even offer it now on the old model. I too would likely get another GME purely to support an Aussie business but I am a bit disappointed that they no longer include the case with the unit as they did previously but rather now sell it separately.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I was a little disappointed about the replacement cost apsilonblue, as I now have one useless PLB and another active one. When my current one expires, I guess it will just join the other old one. ~ Ben

[@DOCWHOK9]

I went with OceanSignal PLB1 7yrs ago because it was the smallest, lightest, and floated with its pouch. I'm actually due to replace the battery now. I was hoping for major improvents in the PLB scene by now, and dont really see Spot as being that major leap yet. Many report its clunky, expensive etc. I expected this technology to be in all phones, maybe even slot into cars and trucks by now. Love my PLB1, take it everywhere. I wasnt aware it was "limited" to 2mi from shore. I'm guessing it would still work further out. I sometimes worry about whether its signal would be able to get out from some places, such as canyons, and below trees, as being a frequent GPS user, I see many poor signal areas.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I reckon a PLB is an affordable long term, fuss free investment, DOCWHOK9, it's what I use and prefer. I'm sure we will see more developments in this space in, hopefully, the not too distant future. ~ Ben

[@tinaprah13]

Thank you! Very informative 👏 I was considering the ACR, but I'd prefer Australian made, so I've decided to buy a GME. 😊

[@SnowysOutdoors]

You can't go wrong with GME, great quality products. ~ Ben

[@TheFox808]

Very helpful video thank you so much! This might be a really dumb question, but can search & rescue still track your PLB if you haven't hit the activation button? For example if you're hiking for the day, fall off a cliff and are incapacitated (but alive), and your family raises the alarm because you haven't come home, can they still track you?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Good question, The Fox. I'm not 100% sure (maybe only 99%) but a PLB as far as I understand cannot be located or tracked unless activated . If you want something to track you all the time then a satellite messenger like Spot or Zoleo is a better option. ~ Ben

[@TheFox808]

@@SnowysOutdoors Cheers Ben :)

[@TALKCalgary]

Don't think I've ever seen an entire interview shot in profile. But funky camera angles aside some good info and that's what counts.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

There's a first time for everything I guess, thanks for your feedback. ~ Ben

[@DeLFeTube]

One question I have. If you do set off your PLB do you incur a bill at the end of a rescue?

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

That’s a good question. I’m interested in the answer, too!

[@moe_1886]

From what I've researched/read, for Australia, no. Even if it is accidentally activated, there is no fine/penalty. Should you accidentally activate it, you need to deactivate it immediately and contact the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as soon as possible (obviously hard to do if you have no mobile phone service), and let them know. The cost for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are covered by either the Commonwealth (AMSA or ADF) or State & Territory SAR Authorities (Police), even if they need to hire or requisition private equipment/facilities, this cost is covered by the responsible SAR Authority.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

My understanding is that if the PLB is set off for the purpose of an emergency rescue then you won't incur a fee, as Moe mentions, this is a government service. I'm not sure where you'd stand if you were negligent though. I guess the moral is to treat the PLB with high respect and make sure it is only activated when in genuine need. ~ Ben

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

I chose a Zoleo for myself because I want to have the ability to check in and/or have text conversations with family when my little one and I are travelling if we happen to go to a place where the phone signal isn’t great. I also like the idea of how the plan has an option to just hold the number for the lower amount per month for when we’re not travelling. And as with anyone, of course I hope I never have to use the SOS feature.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Thanks for your feedback, Coralie, Zoleo is a good fit for your needs. ~ Ben

[@TasHikingAdventures]

I was at a Westpac Tasmanian rescue chopper meeting the other day was a special meeting for locals etc learnt some awesome stuff even when what to do after you hit the button....resqlink sounds the best from people in the air after 17yrs....the Garmin with the txt message looks ok but the extra money to do so sucks so I'm purchasing a resqlink with the new LCD screen on it....esp for us hikers.....PS if your not local you'll get a bill from being rescued lol suckerssssss

[@SnowysOutdoors]

That would have been an interesting meeting, Tas Hiking Adventures. ~ Ben

[@TasHikingAdventures]

@@SnowysOutdoors check my community feed👍

[@absofjelly]

What a load of confused rambling. Try having some idea of what you're going to say before you start.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Apologies if you didn't find this useful, Nigel, was there something we can clear up for you? ~ Ben

[@chris-tq5ly]

Nigel sounds like a wanker! Thanks for the info snowys

[@Mark-tj5xo]

Im due to purchase a PLB tomorrow. And not only did I subscribe, liked the video, I found it extremely helpful. Try thinking about what your typing before you hit the return key, Nigel...