Ian - This is not an easy (or GPS) question to answer. In most
cases, telling someone EXACTLY where you're going and sticking to it
is enough to survive and ride again. Concerned people WILL find
you. In most cases, it is up to you...meaning survive long enough
until the calvary arrives. I can assure you people will go to
extraordinary means to find you especially if they have any clue
where to look. Personally, there is nothing more beautiful, assuring
and heavenly than the sound of...thud thud thud thud thud of that
MEDEVAC helo coming into sight and popp'in smoke.
There are several solutions here each with pros and cons. None is
perfect. By this I mean technology provides near-solutions but
always introduces some limitation which might not matter anyway under
certain conditions (i.e., bad weather, fire storm, fire fight!,
etc.)
Now, I've been in some [expletive] gnarly places in the world
(remote, unsafe, inhospitable...endulge your imagination) and always
have trouble answering this myself. If cost were no objective on a
remote moto adventure, I carry my Iridium satellite phone, 2 GPS (1
permanent mount and one hand-held), detailed maps, compass, and
EPIRB. My single tool of choice is the Iridium satellite phone
because it provides rescuers critical information--say injured vs.
deadly snake bite...six guys with AK-47s...that sort of thing. But
on the water, the sat phone is pretty much worthless especially if
you've lost your GPS and you're drifting in very cold water. Here
you carry a submersion-activated EPIRB attached unconditionally to
your body.
If you ignore maritime GMDSS situations (afterall, we're talking d/s
riding here) there are two types of devices to consider: SPM or PLB.
A satellite personal messenger like SPOT uses a commercial satellite
service (Globalstar) to send limited, location-specific messages to
peers or 911-like responders. The other is a PLB using COSPAS-SARSAT
satellites that's fire-and-forget. The main difference is the SPM
can send all-is-well position update messages vs. the PLB is
activated ONLY when all hope is lost and it's truly do-or-die.
Device: SPOT
http://www.rei.com/product/766529
http://findmespot.com/
The limits here include: no dialog with rescuers, requires positive
activation, need clear view of the sky, who knows the efficacy of
results/TR rescue in some parts of the world.
Device: ACR
http://www.rei.com/product/751974?cm_sp=prod*desc_rel_item*element
This PLB this relies on satellite detection but otherwise works
highly-reliably anywhere on the planet. But like SPOT there is no
dialogue with rescuers and you need to deploy the attached antenna
before activating fire-n-forget. You pay a one-time fee for this
device. I'm highlighting these devices, so you really need to read
ALL the details to understand pros/cons.
The key take-away is none of the devices help a severely injured or
otherwise incapacitated rider or device. If you can't deploy, the
device is worthless. So, absent the latest tech, what can you do?
File a ride, flight or float plan and use Rule of 24. I use this
most often and find it most effect. In dire situations, you have
something to actually look forward to...your plan expiring and your
Plan of Action (POA) activating.
Typically, I email a proprietary form to an extremely reliable point
person and a back-up EXACTLY the details of my plan including:
regions, locations, risks, all pertinent equipment I'm carrying
including medical and self-rescue, milestones anticipated
(times/destinations), methods/means/frequency of interim
communications and updates, and most likely exit strategy if/when the
shit hits the fan. I file this same plan with local authorities such
as Coast Guard, foreign military officials, etc. (at least when it
might help more than hurt...think covert). For example, I had a
friend solo kayaking in Chilean waters near Patagonia and the Chilean
Navy insisted on radio-relaying periodic reports...get this...to his
parents! Anyway, this is a lot of information and extreme, so you
scale it accordingly. Nonetheless, when you're in trouble, knowing
this information is exactly what SARs (search and rescuers) needs
(picture of you, description of moto, clothes, gear, medical
condition, etc.) to find you. Most importantly, the bottom-
line...you never deviate from this plan.
The Rule of 24 (hours) is activated when you miss notifying your
point or back-up within 24hrs of the plan's expiration. It is the
responsiblity of your point person unconditionally to never second-
guess anything and activate your POA and start notifying proper
authorities. Don't give them any excuse or reason for delay...they
just DO IT! This is why on your form, you always provide ALL
necessary SAR contact names and telephone numbers for local sheriff,
Fish and Game, USFS, embassy, SOS group, etc. on the form. It's
critical to have worked-out all the contact details BEFORE help is
needed. Just figuring out this information can take precious hours
or even days.
In addition to basic survival gear, don't feel stupid carring smoke
signals, flares and other appropriate gear. I always carry a highly-
reflective space blanket as a helo pilot always ask to confirm your
position. In the artic, I've carried marine flares for rescue as
well as an anti-bear device. You have to think unconventionly when
you're in contemplating unconvential situations.
If you still need more info or want more dialogue, email me. This
topic/response could go on for days...and it's getting late here in
China.
Brian
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:
>
> On Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:27:37 -0000 "ocpianoman"
> writes:
> > If I'm going to be out in the boonies more, I'm thinking I need
to
> > get
> > some sort of electronic safety net. Cell phones obviously don't
cut
> > it. So, what GPS units do guys like? Obviously they double as an
> > accurate speedo. Do any of them have some kind of homing beacon
> > like
> > some phones so that rescue teams can use them to locate MIA KLR
> > riders?
> <><><><><><><>
> <><><><><><><>
>
> Ian,
>
> I'm using a Garmin 76CSx with very good results.
>
> I don't know of any device that works as a GPS and homing type
beacon.
> One issue I see with that type of device is being in a position to
> activate it if under duress. I'm just guessing here but think a
workable
> solution is to not enter remote areas alone. Just getting a KLR
off a
> fallen rider can be a heck of a lot of work.
>
> Best,
>
> Jeff Saline
> ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
> Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
> The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
> 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
>