Emergency locator beacon use

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How often do you or don't you take an emergency locator beacon into the bush?

Poll ended at Sat 24 Nov, 2012 5:57 am

Yes I take one with me religeously every time i step onto a track
13
43%
I often take one on trips unless its on an easy track
5
17%
I take one sometimes if the track is a particularly rough or remote one
4
13%
I rarely take one
0
No votes
I take one when out of mobile cellular coverage
4
13%
I never take one
4
13%
 
Total votes : 30
slparker
  • slparker
  • Posts: 1407
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Re: Emergency locator beacon use

Sun 28 Oct, 2012 8:11 pm

Just discussed with missus today about getting one for mountain biking, let alone walking, being alone with a broken hip 1km from a road on a deserted track is just as deadly as being 50km from a road if no one knows where you are.
Strider
  • Strider
  • Posts: 5875
  • Joined: Mon 07 Nov, 2011 6:55 pm
  • Location: Point Cook
  • Region: Victoria
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Re: Emergency locator beacon use

Sun 28 Oct, 2012 8:23 pm

slparker wrote:Just discussed with missus today about getting one for mountain biking, let alone walking, being alone with a broken hip 1km from a road on a deserted track is just as deadly as being 50km from a road if no one knows where you are.

And what was the verdict?
quicky
  • quicky
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Re: Emergency locator beacon use

Tue 30 Oct, 2012 7:34 pm

slparker wrote:Just discussed with missus today about getting one for mountain biking, let alone walking, being alone with a broken hip 1km from a road on a deserted track is just as deadly as being 50km from a road if no one knows where you are.


Dead right (pardon the pun). When I teach Remote Area First Aid (RAFA) and Wilderness First Aid (WFA), we advocate that RAFA and WFA principles, planning and processes should be utilised when the patient/situation is greater than 2 hours from definitive care.

So, that fractured hip, whilst 1km from the road, could easily be more than 2 hours from hospital. This being the case, it only makes sense to take one for situations where time and other logistics play a massive part in patient outcomes. I couldn't agree more.
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