BWCA Got a DeLorme PLB - now what? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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Atb
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06/26/2017 12:38PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So, I'm taking my 9 Y.O. on her first trip next week. I picked up a gently used DeLorme Inreach SE which can be used to send an SOS for search and rescue if we run into dire issues.

Registering the device, there is insurance available for SAR charges up to $50k per trip, $100k annually. Should I bother? 1st, I've been on dozens of trips and have not had anything REMOTELY approaching an evac issue arise, and I wouldn't do so lightly in the future. 2nd, does SAR charge for services if you are rescued in the BWCA? Quetico? We'll be on the US side up the Gunflint, but interested generally what people do.

I'm normally a fan of getting away from gadgetry, but I'll admit I'm kind of excited that bringing my kid forced me down this path. Seems like a good safety precaution, and my wife will appreciate daily text updates and location tracking.
 
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MikeFF
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06/26/2017 02:05PM  
What is the cost for that insurance? I'm planning to bring my son next year when he is 6. My wife did ask if I would bring a Spot, but I told her I didn't think I would. If the cost wasn't extraordinary she might appreciate that too though.
 
Atb
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06/26/2017 02:41PM  
The insurance was only $18 per year, and I beleive it is tied to the use of your beacon. You're going to pay for your device (SPOT or Inreach, or something else), plus service. The Inreach from Garmin is going for 400-450 new, I found a used Delorme (from before Garmin bought them) for about 1/2. The nice thing is you can activate it by the month, where SPOT takes a more costly annual activation.

 
06/26/2017 02:47PM  
I don't bother with insurance. Since you're asking about the GEOS SOS coverage, I'm assuming you're on the MY Info page. On that page make sure you provide the emergency contact information so that if you ever have to hit the "SOS" button, GEOS and first responders know who to contact to find out who you are and what you're doing. Also, tell whomever you list as that person knows they'll be contacted if help is summoned. I consider this(these) contact(s) as my shore contacts and they know when I'm on a trip and where.

Of course you have to pick a plan.

You might want to add email contacts.

Setup your MapShare.

Whatever information you enter on the computer, will be transferred to your device by "syncing" the computer to your device and hitting the red "sync" button. Syncing also downloads any updates from Garmin.

And test the tracking and email features before you leave for the trip.
 
Atb
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06/26/2017 03:22PM  
Thanks BeaV,

That's exactly where I'm looking. I got the thing a week early to work all the kinks out, which I'm glad for. It's nice because I can validate the result of what I think I sent. My inclination was to skip the insurance as well, it's more for piece of mind and comfort for the family.

Mapshare looks pretty fun. Looking forward to seeing how it goes!
 
06/26/2017 04:34PM  
I have the same unit as yours- just ask here if you have any other questions.

The tracks can be fun for those at home to follow and useful to go back and see where you were at at certain times.

The nicest feature of the InReach over a Spot is that if you need help but not an emergency, you can email someone to request help without setting off a panic with loved ones and bothering first responders. For instance, say I break a leg on a rocky portage. It's not life threatening and I sure don't want search and rescue crews out in the night trying to find me. I just might want a little help to meet me somewhere- that's where the 2-way communication would be useful.
 
06/26/2017 05:39PM  
Lots of good advice here! I also have the Delorme InReach SE. It gives us and our family lots of peace of mind... especially since we are 60+ years old.

In addition to all the advantages already given here, it gives us the capability of helping others who we may run across who need help.

We have used the weather forecast feature and found it very accurate. It was especially helpful in our last trip in early June where we exited via Snowbank ... wind was forecast, so we got an early start. Got back to the entry point minutes before the wind kicked up!
 
Atb
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06/26/2017 07:14PM  
Great tips guys, it's why I love this board!

Great example on the non-life-threatening injury. I'd hate to hit the SOS for something like that.

Good to know the weather is worth it...I was wondering about that.

I'll report in when I get back on how it worked out.
 
06/26/2017 07:37PM  
quote MikeFF: "What is the cost for that insurance? I'm planning to bring my son next year when he is 6. My wife did ask if I would bring a Spot, but I told her I didn't think I would. If the cost wasn't extraordinary she might appreciate that too though."


One outfitter rents Spots for $ 25 /day for 1-3 days, $5 each additional day. I thought that was reasonable for my peace of mind when my son did a 9 day solo this spring. He did not want to do the Sat phone because " 2 way communication defeats the purpose of a solo mom" .
 
06/26/2017 07:37PM  
quote MikeFF: "What is the cost for that insurance? I'm planning to bring my son next year when he is 6. My wife did ask if I would bring a Spot, but I told her I didn't think I would. If the cost wasn't extraordinary she might appreciate that too though."


One outfitter rents Spots for $ 25 /day for 1-3 days, $5 each additional day. I thought that was reasonable for my peace of mind when my son did a 9 day solo this spring. He did not want to do the Sat phone because " 2 way communication defeats the purpose of a solo mom" .
 
06/26/2017 11:54PM  
quote BeaV: "On that page make sure you provide the emergency contact information so that if you ever have to hit the "SOS" button, GEOS and first responders know who to contact to find out who you are and what you're doing. Also, tell whomever you list as that person knows they'll be contacted if help is summoned. I consider this(these) contact(s) as my shore contacts and they know when I'm on a trip and where."


BeaV, I realize I'm preaching to the choir with you, and good points, I want to get a Delorme at some point.
It sounds like you can Bluetooth your Delorme In Reach to your cell phone for Maps and texting. I may have to go this route. You basically use your Delorme as a Hot Spot.

I have a SPOT, and do not leave without a Float or Trip Plan in AK.

My boss is listed in my SPOT's profile if I ever hit the SOS button.
She is a planning section cheif for a wildfire emergency team in AK. I know she will not let me down.
Every time I solo I tell her when and where I'm going, where I hope to overnight, and when I expect to return.
 
muddyfeet
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06/27/2017 09:32PM  
quote LindenTree3: "
It sounds like you can Bluetooth your Delorme In Reach to your cell phone for Maps and texting. I may have to go this route. You basically use your Delorme as a Hot Spot.
"


Yes, but not exactly. It pairs with bluetooth, but the only phone functionality that works through the satellite is the Inreach app, which, IMO is clunky and doesn't offer much better functionality than the inreach device itself.
With phone, it is slightly faster to txt, and a little easier to plan routes/waypoints with the larger phone touchscreen, but overall the bluetooth is not a feature I find useful.

quote Atb: "there is insurance available for SAR charges up to $50k per trip, $100k annually. Should I bother? 1st, I've been on dozens of trips and have not had anything REMOTELY approaching an evac issue arise, and I wouldn't do so lightly in the future. 2nd, does SAR charge for services if you are rescued in the BWCA? Quetico? We'll be on the US side up the Gunflint, but interested generally what people do."


I don't think the insurance is worth it. Unless you regularily travel to foreign countries where there is a potential need for medical evac, the chance of needing it does not outweigh the annual cost.

The question of weather SAR should be charging for services has been around for a long time. It might seem logical to expect those who require rescue to cover the expense, but the caveat is that a potential large $AR bill would deter people from seeking help who actually need it, or delay people from making the call until they are in much worse shape.
So in the US, there may be fines and/or medical costs to be paid, but in most locales SAR doesn't charge for rescue.
 
Atb
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07/17/2017 12:56PM  
back from my trip...the device was a success. I was able to send updates to my wife which she appreciated, and she was able to interact with me a bit too. Really nice to have the weather updates. Some folks from home need better indoctrination before departure...they didn't understand when I would be tracing my route and when I would turn it off, and what it meant when I posted an update. I guess I could also give clearer descriptions when I post updates.

Things I would do differently:

*tell people explicitly what to expect from my posts and tracks
*avoid allowing daughter to interact with folks on the other end - promotes home sickness
*plan to use the weather forecast, it was accurate and useful
*bring a power bank, I did this and appreciated using the device freely knowing I could recharge

Thanks for all the help pre-trip. You guys are great!
 
07/17/2017 10:26PM  
Thanks for the update.
I just got an Explorer+ last month and have had fun learning to use it trips here locally.
In a couple weeks a buddy is taking it with him on a trip in Quebec. I'll get to see what being on the receiving end is like before take it on a two week trip in September.
 
Atb
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07/18/2017 08:21AM  
It's good you're 'practicing', my experience is I thought I was ready and it didn't go quite perfectly. Still an awesome tool though.
 
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