wildernesswanderer wrote:I totally agree, so many go off walking without them, personally I think this is stupidity and I personally think it should be mandatory for all walkers to carry them. Hope I never need to use mine but I'll always have it
ryantmalone wrote:wildernesswanderer wrote:I totally agree, so many go off walking without them, personally I think this is stupidity and I personally think it should be mandatory for all walkers to carry them. Hope I never need to use mine but I'll always have it
I hate to disagree with someone calling the way that I have always enjoyed the bush as being "stupid", however I have done this for a long time (2013 marks my 30th year doing this), and of those, I have done only one walk with an EPIRB, and that was an area in SW Tas that I was not familiar with.
God... who remembers a time before beacons, sat phones and those damn walking poles existed? Was fun, wasn't it?
Sure, things can go wrong, I've done everything from fall off cliffs, split my head open, and get onset hypothermia, and I'll never hold it against anyone for their choice to or not to carry a beacon, however this is my way of enjoying the remoteness of the bush. I don't go to remote areas because I know that I can get an airlift out if things go wrong. I go there because its up to me to get to where I need to go, and wherever the track takes me is where it takes me. To me, this aint stupid. Its adventure.
Onestepmore wrote:I have to agree that the peace of mind for the wife (wether at home or out walking as well) is more mportant than the extra weight of carrying one. (only those married will appreciate this!)
ryantmalone wrote:I don't go to remote areas because I know that I can get an airlift out if things go wrong
Lizzy wrote:they will just find me with a PLB a lot quicker than you and probably with less risk to them and a better outcome for me.
Onestepmore wrote:So many options. Pretty soon, as I think Ent once mentioned, our electronics will weigh more than our other gear!
wildernesswanderer wrote:
So you have fallen off cliffs, split your head open etc...what next? So when you fall off the cliff and break a leg and can't walk what then....
wildernesswanderer wrote:It's a simple safety device and I do think for the cost of one and the things that can go wrong it is stupid not to carry them.
wildernesswanderer wrote:I will always carry one, don't think I'll ever use it but when I go on solo hikes at least my wife knows I have it and can use it if something goes wrong, her piece of mind alone out weighs the hassle of carrying one or buying one....
Lizzy wrote:Onestepmore wrote:I have to agree that the peace of mind for the wife (wether at home or out walking as well) is more mportant than the extra weight of carrying one. (only those married will appreciate this!)Lizzy wrote:ryantmalone wrote:I don't go to remote areas because I know that I can get an airlift out if things go wrong
I don't think too many of us have this attitude.. but lets face it if you are a responsible walker you will have left plans with someone and they will alert authorities if you do not turn up.... so in comes the helicopter search party. The only differece is they will just find me with a PLB a lot quicker than you and probably with less risk to them and a better outcome for me.
I have also been bushwalking for many years and most of them without a PLB- but now the technology is about and accessible for most ($) why not.... it surely doesn't detract from a wilderness experience- its not as if you pull it out of your pack and look at it every 5 minutes deciding if you want that chopper lift home. Keep it in your pack and hope you never have to use it- thats my attitude.
wildernesswanderer wrote:127hrs is a movie all about a guy that knew the area like the back of his hand, till he had to cut it off, wow a PLB would have been so much easier
wildernesswanderer wrote:Not going argue a point but your thinking is, I'll be right won't happen to me, bit like drink drivers I guess, I'll be right won't get court or I wont kill someone.....
Telling people where you are going is pretty normal, but where exactly you are in a emergency you can't foretell them that, and I don't rely on mobile coverage, I don't rely on other people being around, I rely on myself to get home safely, and I'm afraid no matter how much you try to argue that you don't need one, the i'll be right attitude is stupid.
127hrs is a movie all about a guy that knew the area like the back of his hand, till he had to cut it off, wow a PLB would have been so much easier
Rob A wrote:Theres going to be a lot of stuff more important than an PLB for most walks.
north-north-west wrote:Rob A wrote:Theres going to be a lot of stuff more important than an PLB for most walks.
Yep. Like commonsense, good judgment, and good luck.
ryantmalone wrote: for a 3 day hike around Wilsons Prom, no. I would not consider using a Beacon. For a hike down the overland track, no. I would not consider using a beacon.
stuey69 wrote:ryantmalone wrote: for a 3 day hike around Wilsons Prom, no. I would not consider using a Beacon. For a hike down the overland track, no. I would not consider using a beacon.
I have a PLB and an inReach Satellite device but I wouldn't use either on the situations mentioned here.
I often walk with mobile only.
It's an experienced walker's right to make the call, it's when an inexperienced walker knows no better that there's a problem.
wildernesswanderer wrote:Obviously none of you guys were ever Boy Scouts, you know "Be Prepared"
And to me experience means nothing, just because your experienced means what? you could never have a problem or a accident.. really
ryantmalone wrote:[
It is based on experience though. If someone is comfortable with their mobile, then that's their call, just the same as if someone wanted to carry a beacon, its their call. No "stupidity" in it. Just experience and confidence.
Strider wrote:ryantmalone wrote:[
It is based on experience though. If someone is comfortable with their mobile, then that's their call, just the same as if someone wanted to carry a beacon, its their call. No "stupidity" in it. Just experience and confidence.
I've been driving for a few years now, and I'm pretty confident when doing so. Does this mean I'll never be involved in an accident? I highly doubt it.
wildernesswanderer wrote:to me experience means nothing, just because your experienced means what? you could never have a problem or a accident.. really
ryantmalone wrote:Strider wrote:ryantmalone wrote:[
It is based on experience though. If someone is comfortable with their mobile, then that's their call, just the same as if someone wanted to carry a beacon, its their call. No "stupidity" in it. Just experience and confidence.
I've been driving for a few years now, and I'm pretty confident when doing so. Does this mean I'll never be involved in an accident? I highly doubt it.
No it does not. Actually, I the past 8 years or so, I've had more car accidents than I have had bush walking accidents. Should I carry a beacon whilst driving?
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 68 guests