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Thread: Remote Travel Emergency Communication

  1. #1
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    Remote Travel Emergency Communication

    The one nearest and dearest has instructed me to find out about emergency communication.

    So far I've watched this:

    YouTube

    Brett does a reasonable job outlining the possibilities.

    As a result I'm in a place somewhere between an EPIRB and a GPS tracker.

    Of the latter this one, the Spot Gen 3 appeals:

    SPOT Gen3

    Obviously a subscription is required for the full monty.

    Any experience / informed opinions about this option vs an EPIRB like the latest GME.
    Mahn England

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  2. #2
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    Whilst both solutions overlap, the EPIRB (and I have the GME one) is a dedicated single purpose, one use only, last resort emergency beacon. It's only purpose is to call for emergency help in a situation where you would otherwise almost certainly die. The advantage is that it's a single purpose tool, permanently monitored, designed to last for a set period (5 years I think) before it must be decommissioned. It's as reliable as any man made object can be.
    A GPS tracker is a multi-purpose tool designed to satisfy a divergent range of user requirements. It's major disadvantage (assuming the satellite comms reliability is the same - which I doubt) would be battery life. This is quite manageable, of course, and it can be powered by a usb port. But it's need for battery management makes it a useful tool but a dangerous last resort emergency beacon.
    My advice would be to get an EPIRB first and learn how to use it. That's a real emergency covered.
    Now decide what second level emergency strategy you need. The tracker could be good. A satphone (either purchased or hired) could be good. Do you move about separately in the bush? Perhaps personal comms should be considered such as UHF or VHF or even a second satphone.
    That something will go wrong when you're in a remote spot is a given. With planning and preparation, most issues will be mere inconveniences and part of the adventure. Rarely will an issue be life threatening. Planning for levels of emergency escalation should be in place before you leave:
    Extra water & food, tools, spares etc to cater for breakdowns, delays.
    First aid kit, extra meds etc.
    Internal comms - all members of the party know what's happening (UHF/VHF/Satphone).
    External comms - friends know where you are and what's happening (GPS Tracker/Satphone).
    Emergency comms - will die if not rescued EPIRB
    2013 D4 expedition equipped
    1966 Army workshop trailer
    (previously SII 2.25 swb, SIII 2.25 swb & lwb, P38 Vogue, 1993 LSE 3.9V8 then HS2.8)

  3. #3
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    Thanks for the comprehensive reply DieselLSE.

    I'm thinking we should get one of each. A bullet proof solution (the EPIRB ) and a handy gadget (the Spot). We have hand-held and car UHF's, and a Bluetick Mobile Phone with a bullbar aerial as well.

    "Be prepared" is the slogan here. So risk assessment and planning prior to undertaking a trip regardless of duration or geography is the prudent approach.
    Mahn England

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  4. #4
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    As I understand it there are two types of EPIRB. One equipped with GPS which gives a location accuracy of about 100 metres and the "lesser" one of 5km. If I was in a yacht I'd choose the former. For remote vehicle travel I'm thinking that the latter would be adequate. Having said that the price difference is about $60. It seems that price is not an issue.
    Mahn England

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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by one_iota View Post
    As I understand it there are two types of EPIRB. One equipped with GPS which gives a location accuracy of about 100 metres and the "lesser" one of 5km. If I was in a yacht I'd choose the former. For remote vehicle travel I'm thinking that the latter would be adequate. Having said that the price difference is about $60. It seems that price is not an issue.
    I'm not up with the latest technology, but I think that info is years out of date. I think all GPS technology is within 20m or so now. Military is now down to sub-metre I think. The latest EPIRBs from GME and other reliable companies will be state of the art.
    The monitoring service allows you to set up a profile for normal use and for you to update it with any travel plans. The more info you give them, the better for them to identify a real emergency (as opposed to an accidental activation or an activation by someone who's stolen it).
    2013 D4 expedition equipped
    1966 Army workshop trailer
    (previously SII 2.25 swb, SIII 2.25 swb & lwb, P38 Vogue, 1993 LSE 3.9V8 then HS2.8)

  6. #6
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    I carry an EPIRB in my glovebox. Before I head out bush, I update the online details with trip info/pax/itinerary/vehicle type, etc. so if it gets activated, the rescue people at least know what to look for.
    Life is just a series of obstacles preventing you from taking a nap.

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    When I was working in the NWT of Canada I used an Inreach two satellite communicator and it was great. I could have two way text messaging with others on their phones, email, or their Inreach unit if they had one. It worked much better than the sat phone I had and has much better satellite coverage in the far north than the SPOT system. I assume it would be better in the far South as well, polar orbiting satellites vs the equatorial satellites SPOT uses.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by headdamage View Post
    When I was working in the NWT of Canada I used an Inreach two satellite communicator and it was great. I could have two way text messaging with others on their phones, email, or their Inreach unit if they had one. It worked much better than the sat phone I had and has much better satellite coverage in the far north than the SPOT system. I assume it would be better in the far South as well, polar orbiting satellites vs the equatorial satellites SPOT uses.
    I had a look at the Inreach Mini. They are an impressive unit.
    Mahn England

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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by DieselLSE View Post
    I'm not up with the latest technology, but I think that info is years out of date. I think all GPS technology is within 20m or so now. Military is now down to sub-metre I think. The latest EPIRBs from GME and other reliable companies will be state of the art.
    The monitoring service allows you to set up a profile for normal use and for you to update it with any travel plans. The more info you give them, the better for them to identify a real emergency (as opposed to an accidental activation or an activation by someone who's stolen it).
    Your post inspired me to find out how EPIRBs work and I came across this:

    What is an EPIRB? - Orolia Maritime
    Mahn England

    DEFENDER 110 D300 SE '23 (the S M E G)

    DEFENDER 110 wagon '08 (the Kelvinator)
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  10. #10
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    Not cheap, but gives you:

    real time tracking
    GPS-enabled SOS button
    sat phone
    messaging

    SPS | Iridium Extreme (9575) Satellite Phone
    If at first you don't succeed, that's one data point. - xkcd
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    2011 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE

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