Originally Posted by
roverrescue
I know everyone has there own decision making processes but just to widen the options in this thread for Less cost than an EPIRB plus Spot unit you could have bought a SatSleeve Hotspot and put it on the Optus $15 a month sat plan (half the price of Spot monthly)
The nice thing about this setup is for general comms to loved ones you can setup a “system” of 1/ sat phone calling then hanging up.
2/ Then the contact can call back and it is the same cost as calling any mobile phone (often free)
In a vehicle based emergency situation most likely mechanical than medical
It’s pretty nice to have some AULRO legend contacts who can phone diagnose or order parts etc etc
And in a true emergency direct comms with emergency services can be very helpful compared to a beacon and nothing else.
When on the boat besides it being mandatory EPIRB makes sense because SHTF moments happen quickly and can have far quicker fatal consequences
Vehicle based in the bush things are much slower. Even a snake bite I’d prefer sat comms over an EPIRB? With sat phone direct contact an evac plan can be negotiated as opposed to an EPIRB which will be “whatever resource can be mustered”
Anyways that’s my thoughts on the matter!
Satphone on cheap monthly plan for land based activity
Satphone plus EPIRB for on water activity
Are my emergency choices
Steve
The problem with the satphone only emergency situations, is that you now rely solely on the vehicle for the emergency situation.
So for those true emergency situations where everything that could go wrong, will! ... as already said the PLB should also be given more serious consideration.
eg. it basically depends on what it is you do when you travel remotely. In my case, that would be drive to location X, but then when there, possibly walk 5 hrs to location Y as that's the only way to get there(by foot/bike/crawl .. etc.)
So in the snake bit situation, satphone is fine when you're at the vehicle, but when you're even 30mins walk away .. no use.
Also, what if the emergency situation was a fire issue with the vehicle. Maybe unlikely, but not impossible.
And the things you'd want quick access too if the vehicle so happens to be involved in that would be 1/ fire extinguisher(s), 2/ Water, first aid, and PLB .. 3/ any other stuff that is deemed important.
I'd keep a PLB(need to get one) near, or with, a first aid kit( which I have), and again near the fire ext.
But, also want to get one of those mobile phone -> sat phone thingies too .. sounds close to ideal for my eventual usage needs.
Arthur.
'99 D1 300Tdi Auto
'03 D2 Td5 Auto
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