Electronic Emergency Signal Devices

D

DancesWithKnives

Joined
Apr 21, 2001
Messages
1,385
I was reading Rumble's neighboring thread on radios and it got me to thinking about electronic emergency signal devices. I haven't seen them discussed here in many months and thought it would be worth raising the subject. I used to carry a Class B mini EPIRB that weighed about a pound. However, the internal lithium battery finally died. I've heard that there have been a lot of changes/advances in signal technology and am wondering if anyone here is familiar with the best personal carry device presently available?

Thanks for your advice.
 
Well, there's always the Breitling Emergency, a wristwatch with an EPIRB built in.

If you go to www.landfallnavigation.com, their catalog has a bunch of different mini-EPIRPs - they vary widely in form factor and pricing.
 
bae,

Thanks very much for the reference. If others can't get the link to work, it's probably because of the period at the end so I'll reproduce it: www.landfallnavigation.com

I had heard that my old-style EPIRB was being phased out and the referenced site has a very good summary of the reasons why. Apparently the agencies that control the search and rescue satellites (cospas/sarsat) will no longer have them set to respond to 121.5/243 Mhz beacons as of 2009. You'll have to have a 406 Mhz beacon---and those are heavier and more expensive. As long as you're upgrading, it might be worthwhile to get one of the new generation 406Mhz units with built-in GPS that will transmit your position more quickly and accurately than the satellites can determine it from the 406 Mhz signal alone.

If you buy one of the 121.5/243 Mhz units for $150-220, you'll get 6-7 years use out of it. The more sophisticated units cost $650-1,000, but they will work after 2009 (and will provide better features in the meantime). I could use the more expensive/heavier unit for wilderness raft/canoe/kayak trips, but the weight would be a problem for backpacking. Need to think this one over a bit more.

Thanks again.
 
The 406 EPIRB, once registered, will transmit your name, vessel name and description as well as location and alert SAR personnel to your designated contact person.

Anyone have real world info on how reliable and popwerful the Breitling transmitter is in the watch?
 
Originally posted by Nimrod

Anyone have real world info on how reliable and popwerful the Breitling transmitter is in the watch?
Click to expand...

Reliable? Don't know, but I test mine quite frequently with the test receiver, and it seems to still be functioning.

My biggest concern with it is the antenna deployment. I almost used the beacon last spring, and I was floating in very cold water at the time. Unscrewing the caps, and getting the antenna into proper position, would have been very tricky for me. The water was so cold that I lost fine control in my hands almost immediately. Now I use one of those personal beacons with a sensible antenna and a great big whomping ON button.

Lesson learned - test your safety gear in *real* conditions.
 
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