McMurdo FastFind PLB vs. Delorme inReach SEND - emergency locator beacons

Hey all! I'm looking for advice from people who have specific experience with Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) or Satellite Emergency Notification Devices (SEND).

For the PLB devices, I like the design of the McMurdo Fast Find 220 better than the ACR ResQLink. I like that PLBs are simple to operate, transmit powerfully, are reliable, and go through official channels. I don’t like that you have no idea whether your signal got through.

For SEND devices, it seems the Delorme inReach (SE or Explorer) is well liked and works well. I’m not interested in the SPOT. I like that these SEND devices allow for the convenience of messaging, and allow you to confirm that your signal got through to a responder. I don’t like that they could be burdened by software issues and don’t transmit as powerfully or to as official of a network.

I typically climb in the U.S., doing a variety of traditional multipitch and sport cragging, but often in pretty remote locations without cell service. I’m not too concerned with the price, as I’m willing to spend money on safety. Just want a better sense of the real world functionality trades:

Will the Delorme inReach work if half my view of the sky (or more) is blocked by the cliff I’m on? Do rescuers use the PLB’s 121.5 MHz signal for homing, which could be important given such 3D terrain associated with climbing (compared to, say, boating)? Is the PLB’s government based rescue coordination more reliable than the Delorme’s use of GEOS Alliance?

Thanks for any tips!

- Adam.

do you foresee having to call a tow truck because yr car broke down somewhere outside the cell service area?

do you care about keeping yr friends/family updated?

2 way communications has definite advantages .... the tradeoff is that the PLB is the gold standard for when you want folks to find you when you press the big red button

outdoorgearlab.com/Personal…

andrewskurka.com/2015/plbs-…

expeditionportal.com/person…

i keep a mcmurdo in my pack when im out of range of senseless MP flame wars

;)

As a climber and a pilot I've used a lot of these devices over the years. Most of them in fact. ACR and FastFind PLBs and both the Spot and now the inReach.

The tracking function of the Inreach is great for pilots but I'll ignore that for the moment.

I do like the send capability of the inReach a lot. My wife and I were in the City of Rocks and I was able to communicate with my sisters on the condition of my dad. Really, whether to cancel the trip and head home. So that function while I don't use it a lot, really has come in handy a few times.

I haven't paid enough attention to when the inReach can or can't communicate but my overall sense is that I've been able to use it without much problem. We enjoy canyoneering and I just assumed we are hosed down there and need to get up somewhere we can get a signal.

I do know that many Civil Air patrol planes have the old 121.5 Mhz tracking systems in their planes and they do a lot of the airborne search and rescue. However the SAR satellites no longer monitor 121.5. Interestingly, many planes only have 121.5 still as there is no requirement for 406 Mhz quite yet. So there is some benefit to 121.5, but most likely if you can get the PLB to communicate with a satellite you can probably get GPS coordinates from the GPS satellites too, and those GPS coordinates are transmitted with your SOS signal.

I've never had to press "THE" button on any device so I can't speak to that - I've just assumed/hoped that Spot/Inreach will do as good a job as the government in passing along the SOS to the right agency.

I use the InReach SE and have been really happy with it. The ability to communicate allows me to let people at home know if I'm running late, so that SAR doesn't get called without need.

I do a lot of stuff in the Grand Canyon, and even in some of the narrower canyons I can usually get transmission, even if it takes a few minutes.

The mapping software that you get access to is really nice as well.

Also, the rescue insurance that is offered for $18/yr through GEOS is nice.

How bout a satellite phone? You said willing to spend money on safety.

I've used a rented satellite phone at work a lot. I carried one around but only used it in the Appalachian mountains in WV. Clear calls and no dropped calls.

Anyone ever had problems or not like sat phones?

On papger, the PLB sounds like a better option:

• Lower operational cost (higher initial cost but no monthly service fee) over its lifespan
• Transmits on two different frequencies
• Non-user replaceable battery (can be a positive or a negative)
• Better satellite network (better detection?)

Based on these reasons, I bought a PLB two years ago, thinking it's a more reliable system. But last winter I read two instances of a PLB providing false location to the SAR team. In one instance the climber was able to self-rescue (the activation of the device was probably not necessary), in the other instance the rescuers ended up reach the victim too late. It would be speculation to say whether more accurate location information could have saved the woman’s life, but it’s safe to say it wouldn’t hurt.

cascadeclimbers.com/forum/u…

bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/…

If I am to buy a device again today, I probably would go with the InReach instead. Not only can you send a location tagged SOS message with it, you also have the option to send text with description of your location, as well as the nature of the emergency and such. Your loved ones can also track your location in real time on a map, and I suspect having the GPS unit on the whole time gives you a better location lock in an emergency than the PLB (which is only turned on when you’re in trouble... then you may not get good location lock when it’s first turned on). The trade-off is that you have to pay a monthly service fee to use InReach, but if cost is no concern to you, then I’d say it’s the better option.

aikibujin wrote:On papger, the PLB sounds like a better option: * Lower operational cost (higher initial cost but no monthly service fee) over its lifespan * Transmits on two different frequencies * Non-user replaceable battery (can be a positive or a negative) * Better satellite network (better detection?) Based on these reasons, I bought a PLB two years ago, thinking it's a more reliable system. But last winter I read two instances of a PLB providing false location to the SAR team. In one instance the climber was able to self-rescue (the activation of the device was probably not necessary), in the other instance the rescuers ended up reach the victim too late. It would be speculation to say whether more accurate location information could have saved the woman’s life, but it’s safe to say it wouldn’t hurt. cascadeclimbers.com/forum/u… bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/… If I am to buy a device again today, I probably would go with the InReach instead. Not only can you send a location tagged SOS message with it, you also have the option to send text with description of your location, as well as the nature of the emergency and such. Your loved ones can also track your location in real time on a map, and I suspect having the GPS unit on the whole time gives you a better location lock in an emergency than the PLB (which is only turned on when you’re in trouble... then you may not get good location lock when it’s first turned on). The trade-off is that you have to pay a monthly service fee to use InReach, but if cost is no concern to you, then I’d say it’s the better option.

in the latter case the problem was that the wrong beacon was chosen ... for the temps at the time of the rescue were below the temp rating of the beacon ... regular PLBs are rated own to -4F/-20C ...

for the temps she was in she needed a -40C rated beacon ...

which is important if you folks are going ice climbing in the canadian rockies in the winter cold snaps

in the case of the former ... the error rate on PLBs is a known fact for years ... they arent magical devices and are subject to the terrain and possible error ...

which is why the primary thing that will save you even after you press the big red button is the thing between your ears

heres a case study on PLB error from one of the local SAR teams

Analysis

Early in the search the reported PLB position was assumed to be more accurate than it actually was. As more positions were reported, it became apparent that it was not in fact as accurate as we had hoped. An analysis of the coordinates reported to us shows that they varied from the actual position by as little as 80m, and by as much as 1.2km. The average displacement was 700m, and the standard deviation was 495m.

Falling back on good search techniques in this situation was essential. With the weather making helicopter flight impossible it was vital to get ground teams moving through the dense bush as fast as possible because our previous experiences in this area had shown us that the rate of travel was very slow.

A break in the weather, and the fact that the subjects had a flare, made the discovery of their position, and subsequent rescue a simple task. The availability of the helicopter, and the HETS rescue technique vastly sped up the extraction. If the weather had not broken, ground team members would have had to rig a high line (Tyrolean) across one of the creeks, and brought the subjects out on foot. It is estimated that this would have taken at least another day.

Without knowing the reason for the PLB activation, SAR teams must proceed as if an injury has occurred, and make all attempts to find the subjects. Activation of most PLB models is not easily done, and the possibility of an accidental activation is extremely unlikely. The importance of the ground response on this task cannot be over stated, since early in the search it was impossible to fly to the reported location even for the highly capable Cormorant CH-149.

In this search, the terrain necessitated a multi-modal response via air, land and by boat. The RCMP Rigid Hull Inflatable (RIB) provided a valuable platform to relay radio communications down the lake from this remote valley. The boat also provided a safety system for the HETS rescue near the beach, as they had to fly over the lake briefly for the final approach.

Recommendations

All SAR teams receiving PLB reported coordinates should be sure to ascertain the “error level”, or how accurate the position is considered. If possible, attempt to discover the brand of PLB and whether it contains a GPS unit. Range finding hardware (similar to an avalanche transceiver) is available that can pick up the 406MHz signal from a hand held unit that can be carried by ground or air searchers, this can vastly narrow down the search area.

Backcountry users must realize that claims on the PLB’s ability to report your position are often not as accurate in real life situations. The accuracy of the GPS-enhanced models is at best +/-125m, under conditions where the GPS signal is strong, and the 406MHz signal can be transmitted reliably to the SARSAT GEOSAR system. Remember, you have in your hands a device that takes a signal from one satellite system, and transmits it to a second satellite system. It’s an amazing piece of technology, but it’s doing a lot of work. Conditions have to be good for this to function without some error.

Also remember that once the PLB is activated, SAR will be attempting to find you, and rescue you, but this takes time. In this case it took just over 24 hours from the time the PLB was activated until the subjects were extracted. Weather, terrain, and many other factors can effect the speed of the response.

Some advice when activating a PLB:

-Choose a spot with as clear a view of the sky as you can. The longer the satellite systems can “see” you, the better the fix will be
-An air search is almost certain. If possible choose a place with a clearing that you can be visible from the air.
-Try not to move once the PLB is activated. Some models do not update the GPS fix once it is obtained, and so will continue to report the previous position.
-DO NOT turn the device off. You may think you’re saving batteries, but you’re really interfering with how the device works. The fix gets better over time, and the 407 MHz signal is used for homing in on the location.
-Carry flares or other signalling devices. These reduce the time it takes an aircraft to pinpoint your position. Also, read my article on being found by a helicopter.

blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/08/p…’s-perspective/

Whatever the device, if you can text pre-made notes, make sure you put "At camp safe" right next to the "HELP, BEAR ATTACK!!!"

Just because it has happened, doesn't mean that it can't happen again.....

From a quick skim of the SARSAT system, there are two sets of satellites in use: the low orbit LEOSAR satellites at 500 miles up and the GEOSAR satellites way out around 22,300 miles.

If your PLB gets a GPS fix, it will truncate the coordinates to yield a 100 square meter box and try sending that to the GEOSAR satellites, but that requires having the satellite in view. (The geostationary ones don't move about in the sky, so if you're on the wrong side of the mountain....)

If that view is blocked, the fallback is to rely on the LEOSAR satellites detecting your location based on the doppler shift. This will give two locations, and a second satellite pass should resolve that to a single location. The accuracy of that location will be around 5km.

I went with an Inreach primarily for the 2-way communication benefits, but per my comments above, I think it also has a better chance for location accuracy. However, a third SARSAT network (MEOSAR) is being put in place that will address the above weaknesses by allowing the GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO satellites to receive and pass on distress calls.

Side note: Per the inverse square law, it should take far more power to reach the GEOSAR satellites than to reach the low orbit Iridium network. (If my math is right the signal would be almost 2,000 times weaker by the time it got that far.)

Hey, I just realized I have a red Spot sitting unused (I only used it for a little bit before DeLorme gave me one of their units). Its model PT2. If someone wants to make me an offer ...

FYI, you'll need a monthly subscription to use it.