Re: [Paddlewise] Who picks up the rescue tab

Phones (satellite or whatever) could supplement PLB/EPIRB each other, but
these things are not meant to be substitutes for each other.  Latest PLBs
are small waterproof units with 5-year battery life (24 hrs of distress
signal transmission), and don't need any conscious effort to operate them
after being activated.  They will automatically send a distress signal with
your particulars like registered name (or vessel name), and (which is very
important) - with your location.  PLB with built-in GPS are more accurate,
those without GPS - less accurate (a few miles accuracy), but they will do
that no matter in what shape you are , what language you are speaking and
whether you know your location or not.  This device is designed for sending
distress signal only, and it does this perfect. With phone or VHF you have
to know your location, to speak so that rescuer would understand you (under
stress one might forget those few Spanish words that he knows, not to
mention Portugese speaking South America).  Also, after soaking for hours in
water or being biten by snake chances are that a person wouldn't talk much.
A kayker that was rescued near Hawaii coast two years ago, placed a cell
phone call, but it took more than 24 hours to find him on seas.  Phones and
VHF offer more options than PLB, you can ask not to rescue you, or just chat
with a family (something I wouldn't willingly do on a kayking trip :-),  but
for placing a distress call there is nothing better than PLB, - IF there is
a real need for such a call.
Until recent;y PLB were bulky, unaffordable, slow and less accurate.  The
situation has drastically changed this year, and I wonder what outcomes this
will result in, - lke numerous lawsuits, and more stringent registration of
all sorts of self-propelled adveturers, including even hikers.

> I have no choice.  Although I usually travel alone my girlfriend and mom
> always insist that I carry certain gear (cellphone and satellite phone) in
> addition to more typical emergency gear.  My girlfriend especially is
quite adamant
> and so I respect her wishes to avoid an unpleasant confrontation.  Faced
with
> my girlfriend and mom I always give in, and no, I am unwilling to get a
new mom
> and girlfriend.
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