On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 8:46 AM, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote: > > > The customer care representative was not aware of the issue, has not heard > about any systemic issues arising from the growing popularity of the device > with regard to rescue personal being concerned over the above scenario, and > he reminded/cautioned users to try and place themselves in a geographically > conducive position to ensure the signal gets out. > > So, that was the answer I got from SPOT. Issue? What issue would that be? The way I see it is that increased use by the general public (you can buy SPOT at www.walmart.com right now) will spell the end of the "float plan" system where a relative or friend alerts SAR if you don't call in after a specified time. SAR authorities, inundated by telephone calls from unsophisticated contacts, will not initiate a search until the information is either corroborated by another source or unless they get a 911 call from the SPOT "GEOS emergency response center" or some other officially sanctioned source. The result is likely to be that if you want to backstop your trip you will either have to carry SPOT or something similar and pray that your batteries are ok throughout the trip. Be especially careful to get into trouble only in places where SPOT can see the satellites. The old "telephone for help if I don't call you by Thursday" will be greeted by a, "that's nice" response. I wonder if I'm cynical enough to think that this was part of the plan all along. Hmm... yup.... I think I am. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jul 21 2008 - 10:19:13 PDT
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