EPIRB?

[V8Ian]

Prices seem to be a little under $300, to buy. Is there a cheaper alternative, such as short term rental?
Prices vary, does the reliability also vary, or do they all HAVE to be able to transmit a distress signal Australia wide?
Are EPIRBs reusable or single use only?
TIA, Ian.

[superquag]

This is the one I bought recently.

Saftey Alert Personal Locator Beacon PLB With GPS SA2G Brand NEW | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151674309061?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

This is a 'GPS' model, works out where it is...and transmits a GPS - location.
Makes S&R so much easier! Small enough to store on your belt or in the flight-suit.


From Memory, the battery replacement is more than 10 years away.

Why? - As an "Anti-Murphy" device... if I get one, I'll never-ever need one.... :eek:

Mine is registered with S & R, Wife nominated as 'next-of-kin', as well as proposed use. - Flying cross-country in a hired aeroplane. - Nice to know there's a spare/back-up GPS within easy reach. !

Re-useable, the ON-OFF switch gives that away. On the other hand, one hopes that one learns one's lesson... and one does not repeat the same mistake.!

Edit:- If I'm not mistaken, my Vendor is based in your neck of the woods....so you might be able to save a$ or $$.

[Rok_Dr]

Epirbs or Plb's are very reliable and the models have to be certified before they can be sold. They have a 7-10 year life after which the batteries have to be replaced. Consider them single use, since if you have to activate them then they will need be returned to the manufacturer for refurbishment. They provide world wide coverage not just Australia. When you buy one the device needs to be registered with the Australian maritime safety authority, which is free and as part of registration process you need to provide contact details etc. i don't know of anyone that rents them.

I'm typing this from a camp in the eastern DRC near the Ugandan border and I am carrying both a Plb and a SPOT transponder for my field work here. The Spot device I use every day or so to sent an all Ok message back to office/home and the PLB is for a life threatening emergency.

If you buy one do spend the small amount extra and get a GPS version which will locate you more accurately to the emergency services.

Cheers

Steven

[Pedro_The_Swift]

You are a long way from home Doc:o

[p38arover]

Ian, check with your local police about hire.

I know that EPIRB borrowing is available in NSW in the Blue Mountains (Katoomba and Springwood) and in the Snowy.

It came about after the deaths of some young students in the Snowy a few years back.

Trek - NSW Police Online (http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/crime_prevention/trek)

[Jimmy93]

Those spot devices look pretty good and they are $170 on their site, I wonder how much the sos button differs from an actual PLB though.

How come you carry both, Steven?

Cheers

Jimmy

[p38arover]

I haven't been able to find out if my quite old EPIRB will still work now that satellite monitoring of the frequency has been turned off. If not, I'll pull the batteries out (I replaced them some years ago) and reuse them for something else.

[strangy]

I haven't been able to find out if my quite old EPIRB will still work now that satellite monitoring of the frequency has been turned off. If not, I'll pull the batteries out (I replaced them some years ago) and reuse them for something else.

Not so much switched off but no longer monitored.
Yours is probably 121.5 - 243 frequency.
Aircraft may pick it up if within range.

Upgrade to the newer model if you think you need one.
GPS position as well as coded signal enables SAR to know who, what eg (vehicle,) and where to look rather than triangulating the old signal and having the SAR personnel "home" the signal.

Regarding the reusable question- yes with the obvious replace batteries and have checked.

[isuzurover]

Epirbs or Plb's are very reliable and the models have to be certified before they can be sold. They have a 7-10 year life after which the batteries have to be replaced. Consider them single use, since if you have to activate them then they will need be returned to the manufacturer for refurbishment. They provide world wide coverage not just Australia. When you buy one the device needs to be registered with the Australian maritime safety authority, which is free and as part of registration process you need to provide contact details etc. i don't know of anyone that rents them.

I'm typing this from a camp in the eastern DRC near the Ugandan border and I am carrying both a Plb and a SPOT transponder for my field work here. The Spot device I use every day or so to sent an all Ok message back to office/home and the PLB is for a life threatening emergency.

If you buy one do spend the small amount extra and get a GPS version which will locate you more accurately to the emergency services.

Cheers

Steven

You must be about the only exploration Geo in Australia who still has a job!

[V8Ian]

You must be about the only exploration Geo in Australia who still has a job!
But the commute is murder. :D

[87County]

Those spot devices look pretty good and they are $170 on their site, I wonder how much the sos button differs from an actual PLB though.

How come you carry both, Steven?

Cheers

Jimmy

ON top of the SPOT purchase price you need to subscribe (annual fee $50-$200 pa. depending) to use the messaging and other features.

Not applicable to a plain EPIRB

[superquag]

But the commute is murder. :D

... But think of how many books he can read on the way to/from work !

:p:D:p

[NavyDiver]

Those spot devices look pretty good and they are $170 on their site, I wonder how much the sos button differs from an actual PLB though.

How come you carry both, Steven?

Cheers

Jimmy

I have both a SPOT and Epirb

Spot has annual subscription fee as a negative and can send "I am ok" and possition to family as a positive. It is not a PLB due to it using disposable batteries. I carry replacement AA batteries. A backpack deer hunter in the Vic High Country National Park used a Spot after he broke his leg. It worked well for him!

PLBS are fine over a Epirb I.M.O. My Epirb lives in my boat but can be taken on land when 4wd. You can refurbish Epirb batteries and certification. I bet if it got to a "use an Epirb" distress stage you might not be at all concerned if it reusable;)

[simonmelb]

Some of the PLB manufacturers have free replacement if yours is used in a genuine emergency and rescue. The guy and his son I came across back country skiing in NSW had one of these and it worked a treat. But we were in mobile reception and the mobile was of course much more valuable in ascertaining what type of help was to be sent, in this case an air ambo from Canberra.

Was amazing to see the massive air ambo home in on us directly out in the snow!

[LandyAndy]

You are a long way from home Doc:o

Trying to get his Rocks off Pedro;);););););)
Andrew

[Rok_Dr]

Those spot devices look pretty good and they are $170 on their site, I wonder how much the sos button differs from an actual PLB though.

How come you carry both, Steven?

Cheers

Jimmy

Hi Jimmy

The spot transponder is a commercial service, which offers the ability to send an "all ok" message to who ever you nominate. Though the units are cheaper than an PLB there is on ongoing annual subscription to the service which is around $170 a year.

An PLB Is more expensive but there are no ongoing costs. However it is a one use device and directly sends a signal the the relevant government rescue authority that it has been activated. I also believe that it will work better in marginal conditions. ALL PLSshave to go through a rigorous approval process before they can be sold to the public.

With Spot when you use the SOS button, the message goes to Spot in the USA and they then pass it on the the Govt rescue authority.

I use the Spot to send all ok messages, but if it all goes pear shaped and life threatening I trust the Plb more to get the alert through.

Cheers

Steve

[Rok_Dr]

Trying to get his Rocks off Pedro;);););););)
Andrew

Ouch :):)

That will cost you the first round when we catch up again Andy :D:D:D

I get to escape tomorrow. Charter flight back to Entebbe, overnight there, then down to Capetown for 3 days, back to Joburg and then home on Friday week. Looking forward to that red wine and a decent feed. ;);)

Cheers

Steve

[LandyAndy]

Ouch :):)

That will cost you the first round when we catch up again Andy :D:D:D

I get to escape tomorrow. Charter flight back to Entebbe, overnight there, then down to Capetown for 3 days, back to Joburg and then home on Friday week. Looking forward to that red wine and a decent feed. ;);)

Cheers

Steve

Would be good to catch up again somtime.Must look into some Xmas break accomodation in Albania,probably left it too late AGAIN.
Andrew