PLB or no PLB ?

[Another Kevin]

Under what circumstances is carrying a PLB warranted?

I'm sure this topic has been done to death here, but a quick search of the archives surprisingly turns up only a few threads, and most of the comments there are, shall we say, not exactly nuanced. (In other words, typical WB opinions. ) So, with more enthusiasm than sense, I'm going to open up my very first new thread on WhiteBlaze.

While I'm a clueless weekender, I can sometimes be a bit of an adventurous clueless weekender, and so a week ago, my college-age daughter and I went on a weekend hike trying to bag a couple of trailless peaks in the Catskills of upstate New York. For WB'ers who aren't familiar with the territory: the Catskills are New York's answer to Pennsylvania Rocks, and are in fact made, geologically, of pretty much the same stone. Off-trail hiking on that broken rock, with the blackberries, nettles, and balsam fir in profusion, can be a trifle challenging at times. Anyway, what with one thing and another, by sundown on the first night we found ourselves still on the way down from the first peak, in the rocks and prickers, and a fair distance south of the ridge we planned to be hiking. (We weren't lost in the conventional sense. We knew where we were, and where we wanted to be: they just didn't happen to match up, because the terrain offered routefinding challenges.)

The place we found to set up camp was less than ideal, but it was the biggest flat spot we'd seen in about half an hour, so it would have to do. We managed to get warm and dry, even though we were just on the tent footprint under a rainfly, because the flat space was slightly smaller than our tent. But then my daughter turned out to be really scared by the fact that we were probably half a mile of nasty rock and prickers from where hikers, even peakbaggers, usually go. She had nightmares all night, mostly of me having a heart attack or falling off a cliff. And this kid is not new to backpacking, she's weekended with me before a number of times and enjoyed it.

When we got home (earlier than expected, because we decided when we got back to the trail that doing more peaks that weekend would not be fun), she told me that she thought she'd sleep a lot better if we'd brought a personal locator beacon along. I know that PLB's are a controversial topic, at least in other forums, and in fact, I'm of two minds on the subject. I'm writing this piece partly to share my opinions, but at least as much to clarify them in my own head and get the thoughts of others. (Knee jerks - either in the direction of "the peace of mind is worth any price", or "carrying a PLB will just make you take risks, and shows you're not accepting responsibility for yourself," will not be appreciated: I've heard them before!)

So, let me try to review the arguments:

The PLB gives peace of mind. Well, maybe. Surely - all else being equal, which it seldom is - you're safer being able to call for help than having to rely on your own resources. But it will still likely take hours or days to muster a SAR party to come and find you. How much peace of mind will that really give? But that's really a good thing; out in the woods, especially off trail, you have to be ready to rely on your own resources.

At the opposite extreme - the PLB leads to false alarms, or to "yuppie 911 calls" (OMG, we've run out of Perrier! Call Search and Rescue!) Here, I'm reasonably confident that I can resist temptation: I personally am not likely to activate a PLB in any situation where I think I have a good chance of self-rescuing. And I've been in a couple of self-rescue situations: one time in the Whites, I was caught by unforecast snow in June and had to hunker down on the lee side of a rockpile until it blew over and then posthole down by flashlight through a nice layer of wet stuff; another time, I took a fall down a talus slope and had to walk out on a badly sprained knee, leaning heavily on two companions and loopy from codeine. Both of those incidents took place before there were PLB's, but I don't see why I'd have activated a PLB if I had one; in both cases, my party could rescue itself before help could have arrived, anyway.

By the same argument, a PLB could lead to overconfidence, and taking needless risks. Since I don't like even minor accidents for which I'd easily self-rescue, I don't see where suddenly having a PLB would make me go charging off and do stupid things. I'm surely a clueless weekender, but I've been a clueless weekender for forty-odd years and I've at least learnt something about weekending. Again, I think I can resist temptation.

In the event of an emergency, it's likely the victim's fault. Setting off a PLB is endangering rescuers' lives for something that the victim could have avoided. This is getting to be a thorny area. If I carry a PLB, will I someday make a series of mistakes that means I have to use it? Surely. I'm human, and we all make mistakes. But - by the time I'm in that situation, the decision will already be out of my hands. Once I'm late enough showing up, Search and Rescue is coming after me - whatever my wishes in the matter. Because they're human, too - and trying to rescue victims, as long as hope remains and even beyond, is one of the things that humans do. By far, the most expensive part of Search and Rescue is the Search. Once you've found the victim, you know where you are, and you know what's wrong, and you have resources at your disposal. Search is facing the unknown - the victim could be anywhere, you need to cover a lot of ground, and a lot of the ground you do cover will be both difficult and fruitless. So by activating a PLB in a bad situation, I'm actually mitigating damage that I've already done: SAR is coming after me anyway, but at least I can let them know where I am, come after me with a much smaller effort, and come after me in much greater safety. I like that tradeoff.

My conclusion - On the whole, the arguments favor having the signaling device. In the end, the arguments about false alarms or overreliance on the safety net, I think, represent temptations that I can resist, and the argument that actually activating the device is reckless endangerment of the SAR forces is simply wrong.

A follow-on question is: what sort of emergency is dire enough to warrant calling in the troops? I'd say that certainly anything I'd call an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police in a city for likely qualifies. But another rule of thumb might be, "assume activating the device were a crime. Would I prefer a nice warm jail cell to the current situation?" That's also a fair working definition of an emergency. Or if "I am so impeded from traveling that SAR will come after me anyway before I can get out of here," then it's safer for everyone if I activate the PLB.

The next question is what sort of signaling device to get; it basically comes down to a 406 MHz PLB or a satellite text message device (e.g., SPOT). There are advantages and disadvantages to both:

PLB: A PLB is a single-purpose device; all it can do is scream "Help!" and give a position report. But it has a very powerful scream: under heavy tree cover, it can still be Doppler-triangulated to within a mile or better; if the cover is light enough that a GPS works, then it can give its position to less than a football field. It doesn't require a subscription to a messaging service, and it will get attention. (It will get very unwanted attention if you set it off frivolously.)

SPOT: A SPOT is considerably less reliable; it needs nearly an unobstructed view of the heavens to get messages through. But it can get a greater variety of messages out: some can even do full text messaging, and all can at least send a position report and "I'm OK" or "I need help." They need a service contract.

I'm inclined to consider a SPOT considerably less useful, because of the fact that it might not deliver a message at need (because I can't get it a clear enough view of the sky). If I'm going to devote a few ounces of weight to an emergency signal, I want it to work every time. The one major advantage I can see to a SPOT is that I can use it to send "I'm OK" messages, which may make my wife sleep more easily at all times, and hold off SAR if for some reason I'm delayed but still in good enough shape to travel.

As far as I can see it, neither one is worth the weight if I'm hiking a popular trail where there's likely to be another hiker along in a few hours. But if I'm literally wandering far from the beaten track, it strikes me that a 406 MHz PLB might well be a wise thing to spend a few ounces on.

But I'm just a clueless weekender. What do the Real Hikers think?

[Bronk]

Under what circumstances is carrying a PLB warranted?

A follow-on question is: what sort of emergency is dire enough to warrant calling in the troops? I'd say that certainly anything I'd call an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police in a city for likely qualifies. But another rule of thumb might be, "assume activating the device were a crime. Would I prefer a nice warm jail cell to the current situation?" That's also a fair working definition of an emergency. Or if "I am so impeded from traveling that SAR will come after me anyway before I can get out of here," then it's safer for everyone if I activate the PLB.

I'd steer away from the "anything I'd call an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police in a city for" definition, mostly because I work as a 911 operator and the majority of the calls we receive are not emergency calls. You seem to have a good grasp of the concept of what an emergency is, but the vast majority of the general public do not, and I fear that if people regard that as the standard then it will only lead to more abuse. The number of people who use ambulances for taxicabs ranks right up there with many of the PLB abuses we've read about in the media.

I like your next scenario better: "assume activating the device were a crime. Would I prefer a nice warm jail cell to the current situation?"

The best definition I've seen is that an emergency is when life or property are in imminent danger. For PLB or SAR purposes I think most reasonable people will readily skip the property part of that definition. I personally wouldn't set off a PLB unless I came to the conlusion that not doing so would cause me to lose my life. That's a pretty high standard, but IMHO if you can walk out on your own you have no business mobilizing an army of people to come get you.

[Papa D]

Personally, I would find it distracting and lessening to my wilderness experience (not to mention, extra weight). I have talked to many Moms and Dads regarding their (usually) teenage kids undertaking solo backpacking trips. For years I was a program director for kids wilderness programs and get a lot of calls from concerned parents of kids that I (no doubt) corrupted . Anyway, as silly as I might personally find the SPOT and other such devices, I have found that it has often tipped the balance in favor of the parents letting the kids go on whatever adventure they want to and sort of involves the parents in the lure of the trail as they can see the kids progress, etc. So, for this reason, I have suggested these things.
You are in your 50s and whether or not you are a newbie, I personally think it is incumbent upon YOU to accept the risks and rewards of the wilderness (forest area). Personally, I often don't carry (or certainly don't power-up) a cell phone. So, I would suggest that you carry NO PLB. I would suggest instead that you enroll in a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder course. I would also suggest that you start with shorter overnight hikes and then as your skills increase, your time and distance in the forest can too.
I have responded to and been a part of several bona-fide wilderness emergencies. A PLB would't have helped any of them. Organized thinking and resourceful actions are always your trump card.

[10-K]

If I was bushwhacking with one of my kids in a remote location I'd probably carry one. By myself, probably not.

Though in the interest of full disclosure I do carry a SPOT if my wife requests it. Because... if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

And the idea of refusing to carry 4 oz. if the person I'm sharing my entire life with wants me to is just stupid.

[Another Kevin]

@Bronk, @PapaD - You're both right, of course.

What tips the scale for me is that in any situation where I'd consider lighting off a PLB, SAR is going to be mobilized anyway, when I fail to return. The PLB is for their safety, not mine: it will surely be less risky for them if they start the search knowing where I am. I suppose that being "truly responsible for my own safety" would mean that I should stop them from turning out, but I don't really have that option available to me.

[Spokes]

Under what circumstances is carrying a PLB warranted?

Long distance kayaking trips or maybe hiking in third world countries are about the only times I can think of.

You don't need a PLB on the AT. Carrying an equal weight in Snicker bars would be better.

[Maddog]

Under what circumstances is carrying a PLB warranted?

Long distance kayaking trips or maybe hiking in third world countries are about the only times I can think of.

You don't need a PLB on the AT. Carrying an equal weight in Snicker bars would be better.

+1 I don't use one. Snickers sounds better! Maddog

[Another Kevin]

Under what circumstances is carrying a PLB warranted?

Long distance kayaking trips or maybe hiking in third world countries are about the only times I can think of.

You don't need a PLB on the AT. Carrying an equal weight in Snicker bars would be better.

Right again - I already mentioned that on a popular trail where there will be another hiker along in a few hours - the AT surely qualifies - a PLB is most likely a waste of weight. (It's probably also a waste of weight in third world countries without functioning SAR services!) I was thinking of it specifically for bushwhacks.

[QiWiz]

I would bring a PLB on solo trips on non-busy trails (like the CDT but not on the AT), and on group trips that are multi-day, off-trail adventures where injuries are more likely to occur.

[Retro]

Having been a fire chief involved in emergency services, I'd like add a few points regarding the PLB.

Whether you decide to carry one or not; do a risk assessment much in the same way you'd critique any other piece of gear. Carrying a PLB is a personal choice but it's important to carefully assess the risks when planning a wilderness adventure whether it's carrying rain gear or a PLB. -- If you determine that carrying a PLB in the wilderness will significantly mitigate your risk, then, by all means, carry one. Incidentally, the most dangerous situations are typically those that occur with a low frequency and involve a high amount of risk because we are simply not prepared to deal with them.

A follow-on question is: what sort of emergency is dire enough to warrant calling in the troops? I'd say that certainly anything I'd call an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police in a city for likely qualifies.

When do you use it? You'd probably use it for the same reasons you'd call 911:

Ask yourself "Is this a true emergency?". A true emergency can be defined as an Immediate Danger to Life and Health.

Use your device IF:

--The subject is in immediate danger to life and safety.
--Moving the subject could cause further critical injury.
--The subject cannot self-evacuate.
--The subject's condition could worsen and become life-threatening during (self)evacuation.
--Distance or conditions could cause a delay in getting critical care to the subject.
--The subject immediately requires the essential services of paramedics, emt's, rescue technicians, etc.

True emergencies can also include immediate dangers to property and environment. Use of a PLB to report a forest fire may be appropriate, but such a point could be debated. Does such a fire present an imminent hazard to life safety?

That stubbed toe could get expensive-- It takes a lot of resources to mobilize an emergency response, and it is not cheap. Most agencies will attempt to recover these costs due to limited budgets. If you use a PLB, even if you use it judiciously, expect to face a hefty bill.

[10-K]

Really I don't think you can plan in advance when you're going to use it and when you're not. Not until you're in a situation will you know what you need to do.

It's easy to sit here on WB and say, "I'm not going to use it if x happens.". In fact, "x" may happen and you'll need to use it.

You won't know until you are put in a situation.

[Another Kevin]

Having been a fire chief involved in emergency services, I'd like add a few points regarding the PLB.

(... snip ...)

That stubbed toe could get expensive-- It takes a lot of resources to mobilize an emergency response, and it is not cheap. Most agencies will attempt to recover these costs due to limited budgets. If you use a PLB, even if you use it judiciously, expect to face a hefty bill.

If I'm in a situation where I'd activate a PLB, I'm already in a situation where I'd be likely to face a bill for extraction. As I already observed, if I'm late enough back, SAR is going to get mobilized anyway: if they find me, I'm still going to be on the hook! (And I'm likely to be on the hook for a considerably higher cost: the search is much more expensive than the rescue!)

Also, while some chiefs agree with you that SAR cost recovery is a good idea, and many more have it imposed on them by the political process, a great many SAR organizations, including the National Park Service and the US Coast Guard, have signed onto the NASAR statement pledging never to allow cost reimbursement to delay emergency response, nor to bill the victim directly for the cost of rescue unless prior arrangements have been made for it: they believe that the mission of SAR is to save lives, not just save the lives of those who can afford to pay the bill.

Of course, in our current austere political climate there is great outcry that all government agencies should either operate at a profit or else be shut down. I suspect that we are headed back to a time when fire brigades are funded by insurance companies (with the inevitable temptation of rival companies to commit arson on each others' customers), where police protection is replaced with private security (That's a nice business you have there: it would be a shame if anything happened to it!), and where perhaps even the legislature is expected to recover its costs (Want a law passed? Make sure you enclose a check to your congressman!)

[Retro]

[QUOTE=if I'm late enough back, SAR is going to get mobilized anyway[/QUOTE]

Just a thought, should an incident should occur several days or even several weeks prior to a pre-arranged return time, the delayed emergency response would most likely mean the difference between cost recovery and body recovery. The "golden hour", in which a subject is thought to have the greatest chance of survival if given medical attention, is certainly closer to an hour than a day or so. Although a response of ten minutes or an hour is highly improbable, a PLB would ensure the most rapid response time possible and thus assuring the best possible outcome.

[Mags]

Just a point of clarification, a SPOT and PLB are two similar, but different, pieces of technology.

These links sums up the devices quite nicely:
http://www.backcountrypilot.org/foru...hp?f=13&t=8194
http://www.rockymountainrescue.org/about_PLBs.php


The overall summary is take the PLB if your main concern is about personal safety.
Take the SPOT if your main concern letting family members and friends know where you are and staying in touch with them.

Whether you need one on the AT is another ball of wax.

FWIW, I stick to this tried and true method:
1) Leave a rough itenterary
2) Give a call when I am done
3) Don't do anything beyond my ability/comfort level

Just spent a week in The Winds (two days off trail) solo FWIW. Take from that what you will....

[Wise Old Owl]

Nice post Mags and let me be clear - if you feel you want to hike with a PLB Kevin, its Peace of mind to the family.... There was a natural resistance to new fangled things over the years... imagine the crap Edison had to deal with when introducing the light bulb.... people thought it was superstitious.

[Papa D]

Nice post Mags and let me be clear - if you feel you want to hike with a PLB Kevin, its Peace of mind to the family.... There was a natural resistance to new fangled things over the years... imagine the crap Edison had to deal with when introducing the light bulb.... people thought it was superstitious.

This is why I use candles - no light bulbs - have propane for the water heater - my only concession - light bulbs are totally unnecessary

[Shutterbug]

It's stories like this one that cause me to carry a SPOT when I hike alone in backcountry:

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...ll-3750126.php

Several times each year hikers who fall set off expensive searches. Many of the hikers are experienced hikers.

I had a close call a few years ago. The edge of a trail gave way and I went over the edge. Fortunately, the limb of a tree broke my fall, so I wasn't seriously injured. If I had been killed, my body would probably still be there.

When I hike alone in the backcountry, I carry the SPOT and use the "tracking" feature. I figure that if I should have a fatal fall, even if I can't trigger the SPOT emergency feature, the search team will be able to follow the tracks. It will narrow the search area.

[Wise Old Owl]

Papa D you are missin the point or killing me with your humor. micro LED's and solar panels are for left'ies! Candles, pointless friction sticks, flint steel and bic lighters are for righties...... yea I am so sarcastic,,,,( IAMKIDDING)

[Deacon]

]

In this entire thread, no one spelled out what a PLB is. I had to get 3/4 of the way through the OP before I figured out what you where talking about. Normal rules of composition says you shouldn't use the acronym before spelling it out

Sorry, that's just my beef.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wise Old Owl]

Deacon - Personal Locator Beacon... http://www.rei.com/product/798479/ac...locator-beacon

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