Dangerous winter rescue attempts? or this simple device?

[SoCalDem]

Anyone who hikes or climbs or has someone who does those things in their families, should make sure they have one of these

There are cheaper and more expensive ones, but why spend thousands on climbing & hiking stuff, and then make yourself un-rescue-able in case of an emergency?

an even better design would be a passive system, that must be DE-activated at regular intervals, so that if you are seriously injured and cannot activate it, it would do it on its own..



http://www.rei.com/product/791972?preferredSku=7919720016&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-7919720016&mr:trackingCode=E16B67C3-3A88-DE11-B4D4-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA



McMurdo Fast Find 210 Personal Locator Beacon with GPS
Item # 791972

$299.00
The smallest, lightest PLB on the market, the affordable McMurdo Fast Find 210 Personal Locator Beacon with GPS provides true global coverage to find you quickly, even in the most remote of locations.

* 5-watt transmitter sends a 406MHz signal to the subscription-free COSPAS-SARSAT (Search and Rescue Satellite) system to pinpoint your location anywhere on the Earth's surface
* Built-in 50-channel GPS with ceramic patch antenna includes your coordinates in the emergency satellite transmission to identify your exact position
* Signal identifies your unique PLB and gives Search and Rescue the PLB owner's data and family contacts (requires free registration with NOAA or other national authority)
* Simultaneously transmits a 121.5MHz homing signal (similar to that of an avalanche beacon) to help rescuers speed up the local response time
* Once activated, the Fast Find 210 signals will continue to transmit for at least 24 hours
* Simple 3-stage activation: pull antenna cover off, unwrap antenna until it stands vertical and press the "ON" button (antenna cover must be replaced by manufacturer after use)
* LED signal light can be manually activated and blinks an SOS pattern to help searchers locate you during a nighttime rescue
* Operates in altitudes up to 40,000 ft. and temperatures ranging from -4°F (-20°C) to 131°F (70°C)
* Sealed construction allows PLB to be immersed to 10m (33 ft.) for up to 5 minutes
* Integral battery has a storage life of 5 years (battery must be replaced by the manufacturer)
* McMurdo Fast Find 210 PLB meets the rigorous testing standards of COSPAS-SARSAT, FCC, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center

This Personal Locator Beacon should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger, and only as a last resort when all means of self-rescue have been exhausted.
COSPAS-SARSAT is an international satellite system that provides distress alert and location data to assist Search and Rescue operations. It detects and locates the signals of beacons operating on 406MHz. The position of the distress and other related information is forwarded to the appropriate Search and Rescue point of contact through the COSPAS-SARSAT mission control center network. The goal of the system is to support all organizations in the world with responsibility for SAR operations, whether at sea, in the air or on land. The COSPAS-SARSAT system provides distress alert and location data to rescue coordination centers for 406MHz beacons activated anywhere in the world.

Imported.

Item 791972

[hedgehog]

1. The real problem is that people place themselves in danger without realizing it.

I'm thinking of the family that took the wrong road in Oregon a winter or so back.

[SoCalDem]

2. That's true, but if you live in areas with extreme weather

it might be the best $299.00 you ever spent.

[metalbot]

3. The problem is that most people don't read the instructions

"This Personal Locator Beacon should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger, and only as a last resort when all means of self-rescue have been exhausted."

There's no shortage of people who have bought these and are using them for dumb reasons.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33470581/ns/us_news-life/

It also may encourage people to attempt outings that they really aren't prepared for because they can hit the "rescue me" button.