Archive for July, 2009
Whenever you go out into the wilderness, you should have several essential items in case you get lost: food, water, dry clothes, and a pocket knife to help you build a fire and shelter, among others. But one item that can really help you be rescued and that should be an essential wherever you go is a signal mirror with a loud whistle. Even if a boat or airplane were to pass you when you were stranded, there is no guarantee they would see you without a signal. Having even a small mirror and whistle with you can literally save your life.
The Hot Shot signal mirror has a holographic red dot viewing window that’s designed to project a red dot onto your target, which helps you ensure that your mirror reflection has reached the boat or airplane. The mirror is telescope quality, making it extra bright and easy to see when the sun reflects of it. The attached whistle is U.S. Coast Guard approved for audible alerting in low-visibility conditions, and an attached float is buoyant enough that you can recover it if it is dropped in water. A valuable tool like this should be a staple of any personal survival kit you carry.
Several hunting clubs in the United States have highly recommended using personal locator beacons when out hunting. Two clubs even require it when hunting in the club’s expansive property. Even with multiple people, when something unexpected and possibly life threatening happens far from civilization, the best way to reach help is through the use of a personal locator beacon. This little device has saved hundreds of people from life threatening situations, not just Hunters.
Transport Canada (the equivalent of the USA’s FAA) just approved the Artex 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter for use/installation on Canadian registered aircraft. Artex is one of the worlds largest and best known manufacturers of ELTs. Canada is on the edge of requiring the use of the new 406 MHz ELTs in all aircraft that enter their airspace. The law may be passed in the next few months.
A GME Accusat personal locator beacon saved the life of a mountain climber in Chile. Stuck on the side of a mountain with with a broken leg and all alone, a rock climber was out of options for helping himself. Far from home in the USA and out in the wilds of Chile on an adventure an accident happened that left him unable to negotiate the rough descent and hike to get help. He activated his GME Accusat personal locator beacon and, through the worldwide rescue network, received help from Chilean rescue crews a few hours later.
Many of the top name manufacturers of personal locator beacons are having a summer sale. ACR and GME, two of the largest manufacturers, are having a $50.00 mail-in rebate sale until July 31st and August 31st respectively. Now is the best time to buy a personal locator beacon if you have been looking for one. All ACR models are on sale with the rebate.
406 MHz emergency locator transmitters are required as of July 1st 2009 for any aircraft travelling into Mexico. The Mexican government has established a new requirement that any airplane travelling in Mexico has to have a new 406 MHz ELT installed. This leaves the United States and Canada as the only two countries, of ICAO, that do not require the use of the new beacon. Canada will require it probably within the next year. It was supposed to have been required in the beginning of 2009 but put on hold until the governing aviation authority can finalize some of the rules.
Personal locator beacon used in foreign country to aid the rescue of hikers. Four hikers in Finland used their Kannad personal locator beacon to alert rescue services when one of their members started to have severe chest pains. Unable to get a signal on their cell phone, and too far into the mountains to try and hike out to get help in a timely manner, they used the PLB to get rescue crews to help. The hiker was airlifted to a hospital and the three others hiked out of the mountains. Although the personal locator beacon was registered in France it worked perfectly in Finland (and would have anywhere else on the planet).
GME Accusat personal locator beacon saves kayakers off the California coast during strong seas. Two kayakers were caught in rough seas off of California and one of the two kayakers lost his paddles. Unable to recover the paddles and unable to negotiate the strong waves with just one kayak with paddles the outdoorsman activated his GME personal locator beacon. Within an hour the Coast Guard was there to pick up the two kayakers. Exact GPS positioning from the PLB made this rescue possible.
The ACR Microfix personal locator beacon is the best selling PLB in the market today. The light weight, compact size, and great reputation of ACR make this model the most sought after personal locator beacon anywhere. This unit comes with a 5 year battery and 5 year warranty and even floats in water. Simply push one button and be found anywhere on the planet using the internal GPS.
What’s Included in an Airplane Survival Kit?
People are increasingly interested in taking their own safety into their hands, which is why it’s growing more and more common to see an airplane survival kit on a commercial flight. These kits are designed to provide a bit of food, clean water, and emergency first aid gear in case the worst happens and you’re stranded waiting for rescuers to find you. But what exactly is included in a kit of that nature?
Basically, airplane survival kits all take care of your immediate emergency needs. To that end, they have a little bit of food, usually in the form of an energy bar. They also have pouches of water or tablets to purify any water you have in your vicinity. They also ensure you stay warm enough by providing solar blankets, and they even give you a bit of light for nighttime with a flashlight. More intense packages can also include items like dust masks, tents, waterproof matches, and more emergency gear.