[pct-l] To SPOT or not to SPOT

[Ryan Hull]

On my thru attempt last year I carried an "old-fashioned" PLB.  This gave
those who cared about me the peace of mind that I would most likely be able
to call for help if I needed it without the expectation of receiving
daily/semi-daily updates of my position.

I originally purchased this back when there were concerns about the SPOT's
ability to successfully send out distress signals and updates in steep
angle terrain.  In my opinion these concerns have been adequately addressed
for a *PCT use-case* by the number of people who have carried their SPOT
for the entire duration of a thru hike and had minimal problems with their
position updates.  I will have to reevaluate my options when it comes time
to purchase a new device.

Regardless, as one who has a moderate amount of backcountry experience,
some wilderness medicine training, and a fairly low risk tolerance, I will
probably always carry some sort of emergency beacon with me when I'm on
extended backcountry trips because as Gourmet's experience shows, sometimes
stuff happens that no amount of training or experience can prevent or fix.

-Ryan


On Sat, Oct 13, 2012 at 4:12 PM, I Discovered That By Going Out I Had
Really Gone In <timpnye at gmail.com> wrote:

> Speaking of my own experience, I was extremely grateful to have a Spot.
> Not only was my ankle fractured in three places, but the accident occurred
> in such a remote area that the first helicopter had to call in a Blackhawk
> with a hoist. Even with the Spot it required over seven hours before I
> received medical treatment, including pain relievers. Under no
> circumstances would I forego a Spot. Bad things do happen. You are gambling
> if you think otherwise.
>
> Gourmet
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
>
> Rod Belshee <rbelshee at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Here's way to think about the need for an rescue device, such as a SPOT.
> >
> >There are levels of safety protection, each providing a backstop if the
> one
> >above it fails.
> >
> >LEVEL 1 - prevention.  Know enough to avoid trouble.  E.g. skills in
> reading
> >weather, in assessing stream crossings, ... or skills in knowing where to
> >pitch a tent impervious to wind or running water during a storm, ... or
> >navigation skills in snow, ... or ...
> >
> >LEVEL 2 - keep it from getting worse.  Know how to handle the situation
> >independently.  E.g. ability to self recognize and treat early hypothermia
> >or dehydration, knowing what pain to hike through and which to not,
> treating
> >blisters, keeping inner clothes and sleeping bag dry through days of
> >rainstorms, ...
> >
> >LEVEL 3 - fix a bad situation.  Know how to handle serious stuff
> >independently.  E.g. serious hypothermia or dehydration, or hiking out on
> a
> >sprained ankle, or broken collarbone or rib, ...
> >
> >LEVEL 4 - friends fix a bad situation.  Other hikers (or possibly angels)
> >handle the situation.
> >
> >LEVEL 5 - call SAR for help.  Search and Rescue.
> >
> >
> >RISK Profile for the PCT
> >   -  On the PCT there are very few situations that can't be handled at
> >LEVEL 1 or LEVEL 2.  The absolute most effective thing to do to keep
> >yourself safe is to increase your knowledge and skills.
> >   -  I've helped out on several LEVEL 4 situations on the PCT including
> >heat stroke, severe altitude sickness, and many cases of wet and
> >hypothermic.  I've also seen plenty of near-misses, such as folks hiking
> >onto long barren ridges when thunderstorms approached and having lightning
> >hit all around them, or unplanned swims at dodgy stream crossings.  All of
> >those trace back to failures of safety protection at LEVEL 1 or LEVEL 2.
> >   -  Very rarely, incidents can still happen that jump straight to LEVEL
> 5
> >(e.g. a slip and serious fall off a steep edge, or a cardiac event).
> >
> >Should you carry a rescue device?
> >   - You might if you want to provide a sense of comfort for loved ones
> >   - You might if you want to provide a sense of comfort for those very
> rare
> >incidents that jump straight to LEVEL 5
> >
> >What if you are not confident in your LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 skills?  Should
> >you carry a rescue device?
> >   -  A rescue device could provide a false sense of confidence leading
> you
> >into unsafe situations.
> >   -  As folks who have served on SAR will tell you, sometimes SAR
> incidents
> >are rescues, sometimes they are recoveries.  Recoveries are devastating
> for
> >everyone involved.  SAR cannot really make up for mistakes at LEVEL 1 and
> >LEVEL 2.
> >   - SAR is not without hazards, risks and costs for the SAR team.  SAR
> >folks have privately shared their infuriation at being put in the position
> >of taking risks and the emotional trauma of bailing out folks with
> >inadequate LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 skills.
> >   - You'd increasing your security much more by supplanting your LEVEL 1
> >and LEVEL 2 skills than carrying a rescue device.  That may come from
> hiking
> >with experienced hikers while you learn, or training hikes, or
> >classes/workshops, or whatever.  There are lots of options, including some
> >on-the-job training by pairing up with skilled hikers.
> >
> >So, should you carry a rescue device?  It all depends.... but considering
> >the levels of safety protection might help you to think it through.
> >
> >Steady, Sr.
> >
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