RE: [Paddlewise] Spot

From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:37:44 -0700
Christopher said:
> Our agency recently had an opportunity to handle a mission that was a
> direct
> response to the new SPOT Satellite Messenger.

I think the problems are NOT unique to SPOT. There isn't a weekend that goes
by that I don't hear at least one message from the CG that an EPIRB signal
has been received and that all mariners are requested to keep an eye out and
render any assistance possible and notify the CG if they find the vessel. I
don't believe all of these people really needed a  SAR effort, most are
mistakes.

I think people need a course in reading and understanding simple
instructions. The "HELP" function is not to be used for starting SAR ops, it
is rather to be used for letting your PRIVATE network know that you need
some sort of assistance. You can change the message that goes out to
anything you want. I use mine to notify my wife that I am delayed and NOT TO
WORRY. The OK message is just so she can keep track and know where I'm at
and that all is ok.

If help is required because life threatening conditions, exist, then you
push the 911 function and that is when SAR should be notified.

BTW, I just came back from backpacking in Sequoia National Forest, and I
used the "OK" function of my SPOT several times. In all cases, the results
match what I get on the water with it. Very quick lock on and transmittal of
the messages. All got through.

Steve Holtzman
Southern California


 

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Received on Wed Aug 20 2008 - 14:47:02 PDT

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