Can a PLB Save Your Life?
A PLB is a Personal Locator Beacon, and while thousands are currently in use by outdoor adventurers, the great majority of hikers, backpackers, and wilderness paddlers are still unfamiliar with the technology. It’s a hand-held device weighing in at 12 ounces, although a new model being released in August 2006 will bring the size down a bit. In an emergency it sends a signal enabling rescuers to pinpoint your location. This all but eliminates the need for the manpower and time required to mount large backcountry searches.
The PLB produces two signals. The first is a 406 MHz satellite-detectable signal monitored by NOAA and the US Air Force. The second is a 121.5 MHz signal which provides excellent local homing capabilities. Users can enter their trip plans in a database before departure to provide additional helpful information to rescue workers. The battery-operated device will generate a signal for over 24 hours, even in temperatures below -20°C. The device, known as the TerrraFix™ PLB, is made by ACR Electronics (www.acreletronics.com). We recently had a local mountain rescue of a fallen climber using a PLB. If you have personal experience using a PLB in a rescue, please let me know.
A PLB is a Personal Locator Beacon, and while thousands are currently in use by outdoor adventurers, the great majority of hikers, backpackers, and wilderness paddlers are still unfamiliar with the technology. It’s a hand-held device weighing in at 12 ounces, although a new model being released in August 2006 will bring the size down a bit. In an emergency it sends a signal enabling rescuers to pinpoint your location. This all but eliminates the need for the manpower and time required to mount large backcountry searches.
The PLB produces two signals. The first is a 406 MHz satellite-detectable signal monitored by NOAA and the US Air Force. The second is a 121.5 MHz signal which provides excellent local homing capabilities. Users can enter their trip plans in a database before departure to provide additional helpful information to rescue workers. The battery-operated device will generate a signal for over 24 hours, even in temperatures below -20°C. The device, known as the TerrraFix™ PLB, is made by ACR Electronics (www.acreletronics.com). We recently had a local mountain rescue of a fallen climber using a PLB. If you have personal experience using a PLB in a rescue, please let me know.
posted by Greg Witt | 9:25 AM
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