Emergency operating procedures? (6 Viewers)

[demoj]

While getting ready this year and updating my SPOT locator, I was wondering how I would proceed if I received a "HELP". If you are not familiar with SPOT you only get 140 or so characters "Check in", "Custom", "HELP" and then the "S.O.S" that goes to GEOS emergency response- only for life threatening events.

So, If I am in Albuquerque half-way through a sixpack and I get a "HELP" message from Pappy in Wyoming that he "needs help in 140 predetermined characters" because he did not buy the InReach fancy pants thing I should have bought so he could tell me in no uncertain terms that he snapped off an unidentifiable lower appendage trying unstuck the BUSHRAT..... what do I do about it in Albuquerque?
(run-on sentence for you and I, Pappy, you and I!)

A) Call State Police for that State? (makes most sense to me)
B) Call Forest Service?
C) Pop the top on beer number 4 and Scream"IM COMING PAPEEEEEEE!!!" *Squeal tire*
D) Post on Mud and call it good.

When they ask for details I just tell them in 140 characters?

 

[alia176]

I believe the state police are in contact with the local SAR group so your info will end up going to SAR. Evan will need to check me on this since he is Cibola SAR.

 

[pappy]

Um, that is exactly why I use an inReach. So while ya, I might only have 140~ish characters a pop, I can at least send an intelligible message so you know if I got stabbed by an agave and need medical, blew a head gasket and need a mechanical, or ran out of beer and need a resupply. Of course, I wouldn't use the SOS button on the last emergency. Frankly, I wouldn't expect anybody to respond to that last message, and I would just have to suck it up to poor planning, or excessive thirst.

As far as your SPOT, yer awn' yer own with what ever they send.

 

[demoj]

Um, that is exactly why I use an inReach. So while ya, I might only have 140~ish characters a pop, I can at least send an intelligible message so you know if I got stabbed by an agave and need medical, blew a head gasket and need a mechanical, or ran out of beer and need a resupply. Of course, I wouldn't use the SOS button on the last emergency. Frankly, I wouldn't expect anybody to respond to that last message, and I would just have to suck it up to poor planning, or excessive thirst.

As far as your SPOT, yer awn' yer own with what ever they send.

Oh I know-(trying to express my regrets at SPOT) you get more than 140 though right? I was saying the SPOT only has 140 and you cant change it on the trail. Impossible to convey nature of needs - last message as in the Hail Mary SOS button on the SPOT? Yeah- there is not option to enter a message for SOS button- just goes to GEOS

 

[pappy]

Oh I know-(trying to express my regrets at SPOT) you get more than 140 though right?

Not much more. I think it's 160, without looking. I can free-text/email messages on the fly to anybody in my contact list, and send GEOS specific details about what's wrong. A few weeks ago Costco still had the SE+ for cheap. It looks like it's now gone.

 

[demoj]

Very nice!! How much?

hmm could not find it on costco- they had the Rhino


Being able to send a sit rep txt to specific folks is invaluable...I will be switching to InReach asap..

This is an example of what you are limited to with SPOT these are the messages I have composed- Please comment if they could be more efficient.

1) Checkin message : "Team Steve'n'J's current location, everything is good! We either completed an obstacle or are camping here."

2) The Uh-oh- "Custom" message: "We are OK, but having difficulty- keep your phone close- i'll send a Check-in message once we are good."

3) The oh Sballs- HELP/SPOT S.O.V: "We need help! We are either lost, stranded or have an injury that is not immediately life threatening."

and they all go to everyone on the super-difficult-to-enter contact list....

4) After that you just have the Hail Mary SOS...

 

[pappy]

Costco had the SE+ for $289, but it's gone. Probably couldn't hurt to check back occasionally. Street price is closer to $350 so Costco was a smokin' deal.

I too have three "preset" messages. They are sent no charge, and you can send as many as you want. Mine are more generic.

- "Everything is just dandy"
- "I'm having a great time! Moving camp this morning"
- "I'm stopping here. This is camp for the night"

Like I said, I can also send freehand text and email to anybody in my contact list. You can create the list online, and it's downloaded to your device ... or you can use your phone's contacts. Sending messages from the inReach sucks. Sending messages using a device is the only way to go. I've used by phone, and my tablet. Once you send a message, the folks at the other end have the ability to respond (unless turned off). While the preset messages are free, the freehand text are not, and the cost can add up, depending on the plan you choose. Messages take you to a map and shows where the message was sent from. It also includes lat/lon, elevation, speed.

The other huge advantage is the ability to track you anywhere in the world. My unit is set up to send a track point every 10 minutes.

As far as plans, one unique feature is the ability to turn it off and on depending on usage. You can have an annual plan, or a monthly. I always just pay for the months I need it. It cost more per month, but is cheaper in the long run since it's not on all the time.

I can tell you the SOS works well. I was in Baja a few years ago and came across a roll-over accident. There was no cell service. I was able to communicate with the GEOS people and tell them what was going on.

 

[alia176]

Some good chat on this topic here https://www.expeditionportal.com/fo...alive-with-dog-faithfully-by-his-side.207397/

 

[pappy]

I saw that story. That fella is damn lucky to be alive.

 

[lurch]

Another option I just stumbled upon...but I’m still more interested in the garmin

Home | ACR Bivy Stick

The Bivy Stick MESH harnesses the power of LoRa® technology to create a self-sustaining, decentralized network that allows devices to communicate directly, eliminating the need for cellular coverage. As more devices join the network, the communication range expands, forming a robust web of...

www.bivystick.com

 

[pappy]

Another option I just stumbled upon...but I’m still more interested in the garmin

Home | ACR Bivy Stick

The Bivy Stick MESH harnesses the power of LoRa® technology to create a self-sustaining, decentralized network that allows devices to communicate directly, eliminating the need for cellular coverage. As more devices join the network, the communication range expands, forming a robust web of...

www.bivystick.com

That looks like a viable option. I like that the inReach can be used without a device if needed.