Re: [Paddlewise] Spot by Globestar

Derek wrote Does anyone on the list have a bSpotb by Globestar?  >


    We had a lot of conversation about SPOT on Paddlewise over the summer.
    The main problem with the SPOT system is three fold.
    First the unit has no way of telling you that your signal has been 
received. So if you are in an area of bad satellite coverage or in a steep 
fjord then you may think you sent out a signal but in reality no relieved 
the signal which leads to the second problem. Panicky friends and family! 
The Coast Guard report receiving 4 false alarms for missing kayakers because 
worried relatives, friends or in one case an ex wife did not receive the "I 
am O. K."  message and feared the worst and called the Coast Guard. All were 
"found" safe and sound and not the least bit lost. The Coast Guard has now 
decided to treat persons reported missing due to lack of a SPOT signal as 
"unreported" (as in the boat has not report in as yet) as opposed to missing 
and in distress. In other word they will broadcast and message over the 
marine channels asking all boats to keep a look out for the "unreported 
kayakers". In other words they will not launch a chopper into the air 
because your Aunt Melba hit the panic button. They will however respond to 
the 911 signal but this signal must first be recieved by the SPOT center in 
Houston texas then relayed to the Coast Guard. Tick, Tick Tick slowly goes 
the clock as you tread water.
   The third problem is that in at least two cases reported to me the SPOT 
unit has been accidentally turned on while being jostled in a pack and has 
sent out a distress signal. One of our local fireman was a student in a 
climbing class on Denali when a rescue chopper began to circle them. Seems 
the instructors SPOT was crying for help!
    I own a spot unit and use it to let my family know where I am. However 
we sit down together before hand and talk about when to call for help. I am 
more likely to use my VHF radio or pistol flares if I need help rather than 
rely on a SPOT signal that may or may not get through. By the way, in 
conversation with the Coast Guard Command center they noted that the 
kayakers who carried the SPOT system tended to be electronic buffs who also 
carried radios, sat phones or EPRIB.
    If you use the SPOT system in a remote area I suggest turning it on and 
waiting 15 minutes to insure it establishes a signal then after activating 
the "I am O K " button let is transmit for another 15. I live in Southeast 
Alaska and each time I followed that procedure my signal made it back to my 
contact email list.
    There has also been some chatter on Search and Rescue blogs about how to 
get information from the SPOT people about who sent the 911 signal. 
Hopefully this is being worked out but on SAR commander complained the SPOT 
people were reluctant to give him the information he needed to start a 
search.

safe paddling
Bob
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