Re: [Paddlewise] Ch 16 and DSC - Illegal made Legal

Derek wrote:

> Your point is well taken.  The only problem is that
> one could make error at the opposite end of the
> judgement spectrum.  If you make the mayday call too
> late, the authorities may not have time to rescue you
> in time to save your life.

Even a doctor isn't guaranteed to make the right call vis-a-vis true risk to 
life.  You have to do what you think is right.  If you genuinely believe that 
you are dealing with a life threatening situation because it is, to the best of 
your reckoning, a critical situation, I think you can make a good case with the 
authorities that you made a legitimate call.  If you can describe your concerns 
realistically, they'll probably say you did the right thing.

First aid certification is not a bad thing to have.  That can increase your 
confidence in dealing with such problems.

Non-medical emergencies are another thing.  We've discussed them a lot and you 
have to do your best.


> We've talked a lot about using illegal equipment to
> contact help.  Isn't obtaining this equipment really
> just a way to avoid the purchase of an EPIRB? 

The solution is to use legal equipment.  If you need a license, get one - they 
aren't that tough to get.  Does 2M ham still require Morse proficiency?  Be 
realistic about what you need - most of us need nothing fancier than a marine VHF.

> Expensive?  Yes.  Then again, how much is your life
> worth?  EPIRB+Cell Phone+Marine VHF+Flares+Float Plan
> is probably your best combined equipment solution. 

This is true.  Add a signal mirror for daytime.

A false alarm on an EPIRB is a much bigger deal than an incorrect mayday on a 
marine VHF handheld.  The latter only has a range of line of sight.  The former 
bounces off a satellite, relays to a regional rescue centre and on to the local 
SAR centre.  Trigger an EPIRB on the Canadian Great Lakes and a Hercules takes 
off from CFB Trenton.  Inland in the US, you hit Langley AFB and they relay to a 
local SAR centre.  Coastal US means one of several USCG locations.  You do not 
want to pay the bill, let alone have to call a lawyer for a mistaken EPIRB 
signal.  False alarms are higher than they should be and most are attributed to 
operator error (according to my older ROC handbook).

I would recommend an EPIRB in a true wilderness situation.  Much of the Great 
Lakes where I paddle is not in that category.  Much of the coastline of the US 
that I've seen scarcely qualifies based on my observations sailing and such - so 
many towns and people!  Again, you have to judge what you need.

Mike
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