Re: [Paddlewise] SPOT - A few observations

Derek wrote:

>> Agreed. My mail-server delays delivery for a few hours quite often.
>> Once in a while email form somebody else doesn't reach me at all (not
>> bounced back, just disappeared), not very often, but happpens.
> 
> It should be pointed out that the SPOT system does allow you to send
> your distress signal to multiple email addresses.  This does not
> eliminate possible delay, but it does statistically improve your chances
> of the message being delivered in a timely fashion.  If one of four
> messages sits in an email server for a few hours, that still means that
> three messages went out successfully.  It would probably be wise to
> ensure that all of your messages aren't sent to the same email server.

Derek, I may not understand how you would intend to use SPOT with multiple 
email addressees in the event of an emergency.  Are you expecting each of 
the several recipients of an emergency message from you to separately 
contact the search and rescue folks?  Or, are they to confer with each 
other and have just one of them contact the SAR folks?  Secondly, are you 
expecting to use the unit as a method for folks to follow your progress, 
and if they do not get a signal from you after several days, to contact 
authorities near your presumed location?

The reason I am asking is because there have been three or four "false 
alarms" on the west coast (some in Alaska, some in BC) since SPOT went 
online in which a monitor called SAR and reported the SPOT user overdue 
and/or potentially lost.  In these cases, the person was not in distress, 
and was located after extensive searching by SAR resources, at some 
expense; in fact, there had been a delay or malfunction in 
sending/receiving an "I'm OK" message.  The result is that both the USCG 
and the CCG are now treating such alarms from SPOT monitors as 
non-emergency situations.

With several minders, I'm wondering if, statistically, there might be a 
greater chance of one of the monitors sending up a false alarm, unless the 
minders are coordinated in some way.

I thought there was a specific "911" button which circumvented using email 
to a monitor or minder.  Am I mistaken in this?

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************