Joq wrote, >let's not forget that the "last mile" of SAR is the human in the cockpit or the cabin identifying the survivor from the "noise" >and maintaining visual contact on him/her on a sustained basis to affect a rescue. How we make ourselves visually viable is a subject >for another thread -- and anyone who remembers the old days of PaddleWise will remember my rants on visual signals and passive visibility G'Day Joq, Here's another thread to remember the old days and I seem to recall you making the point, amongst all the discussion of lights and strobes and such, that reflective tape was very visible, at least at night. Did I get that right? I've found a bright red hat to be easily seen over long distances but don't know what it would be like from a helicopter. In any case it would be good to hear your comments and advice again! A friend of mine attempted to cross Bass Strait and by his own admission the planning wasn't the best, but at the last moment he decided to take a VHF radio. Halfway across the first leg to Hogan Island he fell foul of shoals and heavy waves, came out and was unable to re-enter so called for help. Can't remember if he used a beacon, flares or VHF but I do recall him describing the helicopter hovering overhead then moving away to search another area. He used the VHF to guide them back. The crew confirmed they were having difficulty and the value of the VHF and his second attempt a year or two later was more carefully planned and successful. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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 Thu Jul 08 2010 - 04:53:10 PDT
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