bernieq wrote:Some years ago, I put a senario to both AMSA and NZSAR - whether to activate a PLB if :
1. overdue on a multi-day trip, no mobile coverage, not injured or at risk
2. a responsible person with trip details was due to alert authorities to the overdue trip
Specifically, the question was : should the PLB be activated to simplify the subsequent search?
NZSAR said - Yes, activate.
AMSA said - No, not life threatening so must not activate.
That was a decade ago and protocols and attitudes do change.
However, I would judge an incident at the time, based on all of the circumstances.
Delayed because of flooding, now on track and 1 day late - no, I wouldn't activate.
Delayed because of heavy snow, high winds, could have difficulty finding route back to trailhead, likely to be 2+ days late - yes, I would activate.
Xplora wrote:AMSA still say no. This is an extract
If two-way communications are not available, then a distress beacon should be activated in situations of grave and imminent danger. This equates to when you feel you are facing a life threatening situation. This is a personal decision that is different for everybody.
wildwanderer wrote:ABC devotes article to importance of shelter in Tasmanian wilderness concentrates on huts while neglecting to mention people should carry tents :
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-07- ... y/11312476
wildwanderer wrote:Xplora wrote:AMSA still say no. This is an extract
If two-way communications are not available, then a distress beacon should be activated in situations of grave and imminent danger. This equates to when you feel you are facing a life threatening situation. This is a personal decision that is different for everybody.
I have a feeling they were thinking more of activation at sea rather than land in the above paragraph. It is the Australian MARITIME safety authority https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/ despite the fact they have been given management for land based PLBs. The advice to wait until imminent danger is not practical when a delayed bushwalker is aware next of kin have called Police and a search has started. In this scenario delaying activaction leads to preventable searches costing $$$
ChrisJHC wrote:Plus the reduction in “worry factor” for those at home.
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