RE: [Paddlewise] Faulty PLBs - was Paddled around Oz

Craig wrote

> Congratulations to Stuart. Not least by becoming the 

> first person to circumnavigate Oz and not write a book 

>about it. :P

 

G'day Craig,

 

Yes nothing quite like following such an expedition live as opposed to
reading about it later. Nevertheless, Paul's book did become something of a
Pilot for kayakers around Australia. But its way out of date, for example
the croc population has increased significantly in the time elapsed since
his trip, a problem if you want to use rivers or get freshwater up north.

 

Stuart tends to carry out expeditions unsupported and from time to time
provides the club with quite challenging survival exercises. It would be
useful if he ever wrote a survival manual based on his experiences. For
example his opinion of PLBs would be interesting. He didn't take A VHF or
Sat Phone but did take a PLB and checked it regularly  and had two fail
during the trip. 

 

Regarding PLB's, I'd be keen to know if there are any expeditioners on
Paddlewise who have tested their equipment and experienced similar problems.
Likewise to hear of anyone who has used a PLB successfully after protracted
immersion in the sea. I keep mine in an Aquapac in my PFD and haven't had
the same problem but Stuart's experience is worrying. What would happen if
you had to use the PLB in the sea? Not much use having one that can't
survive immersion and a moderate amount of exposure for any length of time! 

 

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/
***************************************************************************