Re: [Paddlewise] EPIRBs

JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> There have been a few questions raised off-line about Emergency Position
> Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs) --- including a question on the meaning of
> the acronym --- and some issues have been raised about the value of an EPIRB
> to a kayaker.  For general interest, there are two available varieties --- the
> 121.5 MHz beacon and the 406 MHz beacon,[snip]  When a
> "406" is activated, it says instantaneously that a specific vessel operated by
> a specific person at a specific phone number is in trouble in an area within a
> radius of two miles.  Unless it's one of the newest "406s" with GPS built in,
> and then it provides all the above within a radius of 100 meters.
> 
> If I were to be kayaking in remote areas, I'd be very happy with the Cadillac
> in my back hatch.  Ain't cheap, but how much value does survival have?

Joq has raised the issue of whether an EPIRB is worth taking on an extended trip to "isolated"
waters.  If I were headed to a place where I would expect to see no one, I'd take the Cadillac unit,
to cover the circumstance in which my group is pinned down and needs a haulout (serious injury, loss
of boat, etc.).  Neither unit will help if we are all tossed into the water and can not reach the
beach.  We are done for, most likely, baring heroic survival activity.

I suspect, however, the places most of us regard as "remote" have enough fishing vessel traffic/yak
traffic/etc., that the VHF would still be a better (maybe faster, also, in the case of the 121.5 MHz
units) mechanism to summon help.  At the moment, I think my $800 would be better spent on a Goretex
dry suit.

I'm willing to be convinced otherwise, however.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************