[pct-l] SPOT Locator

[RJ Lewis]

According to what I've read on the SPOT unit, you can purchase their 
rescue insurance for less than 10 bucks when you buy the unit,. if you 
make the purchase at the same time as the unit. Later on it costs far 
more. That supposedly covers 100 grand in expenses should you need to be 
rescued, including the fly out of said injured person. 
  It also says it needs to be in a clear area, much like the original 
GPS units (non sirf chip units), so keep that in mind. (like we can 
choose the place the sh*t hits the fan) It would be nice if they would 
upgrade that part of the technology to what today's GPS units do! So, it 
appears in tree cover,  you could be SOL.
  Not sure I want to haul around an extra half pound of weight that 
could indeed be utterly worthless in many areas of the PCT.  Just some 
things to think about.

Peace!
RJ


Wayne Kraft wrote:
> I don't have one of these, but I've done all my pre-purchase research and I 
> intend to purchase one shortly.  From what I've read, the device works most 
> reliably when it is laying flat (horizontal) and not worn vertically on a 
> belt or in a pocket.  In order to make the tracking function work, you would 
> probably need to figure out a way to carry it horizontally on your shoulder, 
> pack or the top of your hat.
>
> IMHO, the tracking function is the least important and is really just a 
> gimmick anyway.  There are three other functions: OK, Help and 911.  These 
> are initiated by pushing a button on the device.  Of these three, the OK 
> function is the most important to me.  It sends a message to my wife (or 
> anyone else I designate) telling her I am OK at a particular location and it 
> keeps her from worrying about me. If she never hears from me again, she can 
> at least provide the SAR team with my last known location and the knowledge 
> that I would have sent an "OK" every few hours if I were able. This is my 
> main reason for carrying such a device.  I would use it at each morning 
> before I start off, at each rest break long enough to get a signal out and 
> in the evening when I've selected a campsite.
>
> The Help button sends a message to whoever you designate and means you are 
> in trouble at a particular location, but not enough trouble to require an 
> official rescue.  I can see myself using this on the trail if I actually 
> have designated someone who has the ability to find my location on the map 
> and come get me.  I can also see using this at a deserted trailhead with no 
> cell coverage if I discover my car won't run.  I think it would be important 
> to work out a protocol with your designated recipient as to what type of 
> situation would cause you to request help and no rescue.  I have a hard time 
> seeing when this might be appropriate unless you have someone on your team 
> prepared to get you out even if you can't walk out yourself.  I would be 
> concerned about using this in a situation where I am, say, lost and in no 
> immediate danger with plenty of food and water, but it would depend, I 
> suppose, on who is receiving the message and what your agreement is.
>
> Finally, the 911 function is for when the sh*t has hit the fan and you want 
> lawyers, guns and money ASAP.
>
> As an aside, I recently bought a map of an interesting non-PCT hike through 
> the Pueblo Mountains in remote southeast Oregon between the town of Fields, 
> Oregon and the town of Denio on the Oregon-Nevada border.  There is no 
> official trail in this area and the hike involves locating a series of 
> irregularly spaced rock cairns along sketchy game trails and through 20 
> miles of open country.  The "Help" button would be singularly useless in 
> this environment because my support team would likely be 450 or so miles 
> away by road and unlikely to drive to Fields or Denio and locate me 
> off-trail any time soon after pushing the button.  The text on the back of 
> the map contains this interesting passage:  "An injury can mean that a 
> helicopter rescue team must fly you out.  Another hiker is required to go 
> for help.  The cost of such a rescue is the responsibility of the hiker."
>
> I've never actually heard of someone being charged for such a rescue 
> performed by a taxpayer funded rescue operation in Oregon and I think an 
> actual airborne ambulance service might be covered by my health insurance, 
> but I suppose it is something to think about and I will probably be looking 
> into some form of rescue insurance.  It would clarify the decision to press 
> the 911 button a bit. 
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
>
>