RE: [Paddlewise] RE: Stuart Trueman - Paddled around Oz

From: Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz>
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2011 13:38:41 +1200
Peter said:
> The one that did horrify me was his account of the two PLB failures. 
> Not so much the potential consequences but horror at the lack of QC 
> in an age where QC is a well established skill.

Stu's bad experience with 2 failing PLBs have sparked a discussion this
week, with a couple of other people here in NZ questioning what
best-practice should be.

My little McMurdo 210 PLB seems to have survived a reasonably salty 13
months - but I certainly haven't taken it round Australia. It lives in a
pouch on my PFD's left shoulder (think epaulet) and thus (being level with
my mouth) spends little time immersed. 

Maybe I should be thinking of duct-taping a small bag over its working end -
to reduce its exposure to frequent 'wetting'. I'm reluctant to bag it
entirely (like I do my VHF & GPS), as it would need to be de-bagged to
activate & unfurl the antenna and that would hugely complicate the tether
that I think is vital. Even a partial, de-bagging step might be unwelcome in
cold water - I can see teeth getting involved - but if it gives me a better
chance of a functional beacon, so be it.

Does anyone know of a current study or review of PLB failures ?

Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand
***************************************************************************
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 Wed Aug 03 2011 - 18:43:47 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:45 PDT