Interesting PLB Article

[SA Bill]

The idiot hikers in the Grand Canyon really make me mad! 
  Bill
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33470581/ns/us_news-life/

[RichardM]

Lots of states bill the "victims" for the cost of the rescue. I hope Arizona is one of them.

[SHANEA]

but, some states like Colorado have a some kind of a fee, don't know if it is optional or not, built into hunting/fishing licenses and I think you can get one for snow skiing.  Of course, if you are a hiker/backpacker you might not hunt/fish - but the pool of $ would be great enough to cover your butt.  Maybe TPWD and NPS need to tack on a fee for permits, campgrounds, etc.  (or as presidio would call it - a TAX) It wouldn't have to be a large fee, sheer volume would produce mega bucks for the Texas Legislature to raid for some other use...   

Maybe you should have to register the device with TPWD and NPS and DHS a DPS and have "mandatory training" on it before it can be activated, kinda like the hunter education courses, ATV courses, etc.  A concealed permit to carry a PLB.   

Damn I'm on a roll.   

[dkerr24]

The busier parks like Grand Canyon seem to draw the visitors who seem to think a National Park is a 'Disneyland' with help only a press of a button away.  In the case detailed here, I think the rescuers should have taken the PLB away from the group after the second activation. 

My guess is the PLB manufacturers will start to introduce units with SMS message capability so that instead of just pressing a '911' button, the user can relay a SMS message to rescuers with more details of the nature of the emergency.

[mule ears]

"In the past, people who got in trouble self-rescued; they got on their hands and knees and crawled out,"

This is the way it should be, I think SAR should only go in after a few days, not immediately after a button is pushed.

My guess is the PLB manufacturers will start to introduce units with SMS message capability so that instead of just pressing a '911' button, the user can relay a SMS message to rescuers with more details of the nature of the emergency.

You are probably right here.

What boneheads 

[homerboy2u]

The idiot hikers in the Grand Canyon really make me mad!
 Bill
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33470581/ns/us_news-life/

 That makes two now......them Yuppies!!!

[Undertaker]

Having been involved in SAR in AZ many years ago, waiting days in a TRUE emergency means recovery not rescue for the folks who truly need the help. True Emergency no fee, salty water, stiff fee, you cannot regulate STUPID. Having also showed up on an Ambulance for a guy with a head cold, not an emergency, stiff fine again should be the answer, you cannot regulate STUPID, I would bet money even after being fined some bonehead would do it again.

[SHANEA]

waiting days in a TRUE emergency means recovery not rescue for the folks who truly need the help.

Between a Rock and a Hard Spot

[bjbriggs]

When they cry wolf  and it's not needed......Hit them in the pocket book....“Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid.”  John Wayne....

[Undertaker]

Stupid is as Stupid Does, Forrest Gump.

[Quatro]

Thanks, SA Bill.  This should be an interesting thread.

My wife heard an interesting story about charges for SAR in other countries on NPR about 3 weeks ago.  I never found the story.  Anyhow, they bill on a sliding scale based on the stupidity involved - primarily based on preparedness.  No compass, no map, no water - prepare to pay.  Got the 10 essentials?  A thank you note is enough.

How to collect any fines assessed is a different matter. Most the likely candidates for penalties will likely be from out of state.  What do you do, file a judgement if you can get the out of state AG to agree?

The other side of the story is that PLBs can make the search much easier because it can pinpoint the person in trouble.  There have been bills filed in the Oregon Leg to require the use of PLBs above a certain altitude on Mt. Hood to protect the SAR folks.

This is one of those issues for which there is no easy answer.

[Quatro]

Those Grand Canyon hikers should be glad they weren't in New Hampshire.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20091029/NEWS/910299984/1077&ParentProfile=1058

[Al]

In my opinion PLBs should require an FCC license.

I don't need a PLB. Amateur radio works for me.

You can carry a backpack Ham radio (QRP) the size of an Altoids tin with a wire antenna tossed over a tree limb and have conversations with another operator thousands of miles away.

You may be familiar with a well known Ham and Bender, W5ESE, who does exactly that.

Here is an article he wrote on one of his many and frequent trips.

http://arsqrp.pbworks.com/A-pilgrimage,-by-Scott-McMullen,-W5ESE

Plus a link to another site on which he describes his experience.

http://sites.google.com/site/arsw5ese/home/wilderness-qrp

BBNPFAN, very interesting.  Although a bit complicated for most of us.  I understand it is much easier to get a license these days (you don't have to know Morris Code).

Al

Al

[fartymarty]

  I understand it is much easier to get a license these days (you don't have to know Morris Code).

Maybe not to get a license, but if you're planning on using an Altoid tin radio it might be a good idea to know it.
I didn't see a microphone in any of those pictures. It might be difficult to string up an antenna (67 feet?) with your broken leg when you need to make a call for help.

Still, if you're into hammin it looks like a fun way to fill the night on the trail especially on cloudy nights when you can't see the stars.

-.-. --.- / -.-. --.- / -.-. --.- / .. / .-.. ..- ...- / -... .. -... .

[Undertaker]

It is my understanding no 2 meter repeater in the Park, it is outside the park but give pretty good service throughout the park. HF works just fine. 73's de KD5YA .-.-.-