Best emergency due to recent health problems and the age that my canoeing partner and I are getting.

We are thinking about a emergency locator.

So for those who have and use them, what are your thoughts?

Start here to narrow it down; lots of info on sat messengers out there on blogs like Andrew Skurka, Adventure Alan, Section Hiker. Check some of them out afterwards. Also OutdoorGearReview

I've been carrying an ACR PLB unit for 15 years. Currently a ResQLink. Never have used it, have checked it acording to directions. I keep the registration updated, both for the unit and current outing planned. ACR, McMurdo, the 2 top brands with a lot of history.
I do separate PLB's from satelite messangers as explained in the REI article, no subscription 10x transmiter power, sealed 5 year 1/2 battery, direct connection with Gov. rescue services. Biggest problem with PLB is one way emergency only signaling, which does not bother me at all as I prefer dedicated single purpose safety gear.

butthead

Like Butthead, I have been carrying an ACR ResQlink+ for the last couple years. I went with it because I liked the very high reliability of the satellite system, the simplicity of one button that does one thing, and no subscription fees. The battery last 5 years, then has to be sent to a certified installer, which runs about $115 including shipping (so figure about $23 per year maintenance). I feel very confident that anywhere I am, if I punch the button, someone will show up to help.

That said, I have this year been considering getting a Garnin Inreach Mini. I have absolutely zero interest in sending or getting messages "just to stay in touch", but started to see the value on being able to convey the nature of the emergency to rescuers. Even if the process of texting is slow and tedious, being able to get a basic message "I've Broken my arm and can not exit on my own", "I found someone who is lost", " the storm blew down trees across the portage and it's not passable", or "I found someone with possible keto-acidosis or heart problems" all give rescuers much more to go on and in some cases get medication/medical help arranged sooner. I dislike the idea of subscriptions, but am thinking it may be worth it now that they allow month by month plans.

Like all the messaging systems, you'd have to be careful to ensure the battery always has sufficient charge.

I have not been impressed by what I've heard about Spots, but that's just my opinion.

Just something to consider. Garmin allows monthly subscriptions, as opposed to annual. So you pay only for when you need it, sort of.

Smallest and lightest and no ongoing fees are the personal locator beacons such as the ACR resqlinks. But there is no ability for two way communication. The message is simply come get us now.

The Garmin Inreach allow for two way texting with their response center which passes messages to local rescuers. It also allows for texting friends and tracking a route and sharing that and send info ok messages. Plus it can be your gps for navigation and can check the weather forecast. The size and ease of use depends on the model and whether you link it to a smartphone by Bluetooth. There are monthly fees. For the two way communication we moved to an Inreach from a ACR.

The Spots mix various features. I’m not as up on them.

Best depends on what you want.

Jaywalker took the words right out of my keyboard. That's pretty much word for word what I was going to type.

I too have the ACD ResQlink+. I bought mine last year for my solo and thankful have not used it. I will add that it also has a test mode and for a yearly fee it will send your test GPS location to their web site that friends or family can log in to look up. I got a year free service when I purchased the unit. I did test this function before my solo and it did not work from several different locations. I called ACR and they said yes that function is intermittent due to switching over to newer satellites and so function would be iffy for the next month or so(last sept/oct). This irritated me a bit as I wanted the function so my wife knew where I was and ok, so I let them know of my displeasure. They did give me 2 additional free years of the service for my inconvenience. The function didn't work once on my 27 day solo. I used it every evening after arriving at a new site. I have not tried it since but will soon.

This problem they assured me did not include the actual SOS button on ACR units as that is a different system. Thankfully I never had to find out.

I bought the ACR after extensive research due to it's superior power and locating abilities from tech stats, reviews and advice on forums. I did not want a unit I can talk/text as thats partly why I go to BW. To me it's more of a wilderness if I don't have the modern comms along.

No question the PLBs are "more powerful" even if the messengers are powerful enough for bdub and q. My spot has worked fine from in tent and under trees but YMMV.

I like the messengers for their reporting your route. Even if you don't signal - can't push a button - people can look at your track and know where you have been and if you haven't lost it know where you are. With a partner, probably not an issue, but solo, weigh the possibility of an event where you can't signal versus having a stronger signal, that might not get sent.

I was surprised at the idea of using an ACR PLB to send a daily message using the self-test feature. After looking at their website, one thing that concerns me about that approach is that, depending on the model, they recommend only 20 or 60 self-tests during the 5-year life of the battery. Maybe I am missing a model that allows for more self-tests. Also, it looks like their web service is currently undergoing maintenance and they aren't taking new subscriptions right now. I hope that is a short-lived situation.

I have great faith in their products for emergencies. Ours always worked on self-test although we didn't use the web service to check coordinates. But ACR PLBs also send out a location radio beacon to help rescuers find you even if the GPS coordinates are a bit off (such as if you are drifting in a large body of water). For that reason, the Coast Guard uses them for their personnel.

But for sending tracks or regular messages, I would use an Inreach or Spot which have user changeable or rechargeable batteries.

I think Andy, the unit you are talking of is the SarLink , and not for sale. Almost 2 systems independent of each other with seperat power supplies, a battery per function, and a subscription for the messaging function.

butthead

I was referring to MinnMike's post about the "ACD ResQlink+" which I assumed was about an ACR device but I didn't know about the SarLink. A device with completely separate power supplies... sounds like a good approach for adding that sort of functionality. Being sure of having power for an SOS is great.

Count me among those who prefer the inReach system over the PLBs. The ability to send and receive messages is pretty valuable:

"I'm gonna be late by x hours, but don't call out the troops, all is well."
or
"I'm gonna be late 'cuz I stuck an arrow in my thigh but the bleeding is under control and there's an EMT here with me."
or
"I'm gonna be late 'cuz I came across someone else who needed emergency help. BTW, that's why I just activated my SOS feature. Not to worry when the Rescue Coordination Center calls you."

And she can track me 24/7 for days at a time.

(FWIW, I'm intimately familiar with the process of finding you and tending to your needs in the woods and the various forms of technology used for doing that. I used to look for folks who needed emergency help in the backcountry on a regular basis. Very frequently at night. Usually among the bears – both the black and the brown varieties at various times.)

I have owned the ACR ResQlink for the past 5 years due to their reliability. Even though I am considering an Inreach, I will still carry the ResQlink as rescue is my main priority, and the high number of failures for the Inreach and Spot are enough to worry me.

mgraber: "I have owned the ACR ResQlink for the past 5 years due to their reliability. Even though I am considering an Inreach, I will still carry the ResQlink as rescue is my main priority, and the high number of failures for the Inreach and Spot are enough to worry me."

Can you provide details of the failures in Bdub and Q? Every example I've come across is user error. It is true that Spot documentation is not as clear as it should be.

billconner: "Can you provide details of the failures in Bdub and Q? Every example I've come across is user error. It is true that Spot documentation is not as clear as it should be. "

I'm struggling to recall more details, but there was an instance a few years ago when one of our BWCA.com members started a Q trip on his own and his Spot stopped sending his daily "Im OK" message on day two or so. He was on his way to a meet up with other soloers, and eventually someone else at the meet up who knew the messages weren't getting through was able to get an all ok message back to his very concerned wife. He had been pushing the I'm OK button every day. Don't recall if there was any user error involved in that one or not, and it didn't delay any needed rescue, but it made me wonder if the sos button would have worked if needed. If anyone recalls and want to add or correct any details, please do.
EDIT: his Spot sent a signal when he crossed the border but not after; someone at the meet up got back and reported seeing him there, and it's still unclear to me if this should be counted as a design flaw or user error. Signal not being sent

billconner: "

mgraber: "I have owned the ACR ResQlink for the past 5 years due to their reliability. Even though I am considering an Inreach, I will still carry the ResQlink as rescue is my main priority, and the high number of failures for the Inreach and Spot are enough to worry me."

Can you provide details of the failures in Bdub and Q? Every example I've come across is user error. It is true that Spot documentation is not as clear as it should be. "

Messaging units are hard to find user results for. Mostly due to the fact the systems used are privately owned and operated. They do not have to publish use records.
PLB's though have to report all uses, as a publicly funded service.
Even with that in mind I seem to remember that 80-95% of all failures with either system is attributed to user error. Failing to register either system, poor signal strength for the location, errant/accidental use.
One functional operating potential error is that sat. messengers (Spot, Inreach), send information once per activation, PLB's send continuous information when activated, till the unit is shut off or the battery dies (the reason for the sealed 5 year 1/2 life battery specification).

"One of the major failures of Kate's gear list was the use of her SPOT. If she had a PLB, this would have resulted in only one GPS location transmitted to SAR. The SPOT didn't have the ability to collect and transmit her GPS location accurately. The SPOT also has a limit of -22F, where a PLB has a limit of -40F. The SPOT has a 400 milliwatt transmitter where a PLB has a 5000 milliwatt transmitter. We believe that the SPOT is a poor device for people in a life threatening situations. With the SPOT you don't know if EMS got the transmission. Second, you don't know that the GPS location is correct. During the 12-15 hours she lived after being blown off the trail, she would send 11 transmissions. Some of the 11 GPS locations were over a mile away from the actual location. PLBs are guaranteed to accurate within 328'. A PLB would have turned on the strobe, and she would have known that SAR was coming and they knew exactly where she was. With additional GPS locations as far as a mile away, this would lead SAR on a wild goose chase. This created a huge area for SAR to search. By the time they found Kate, she would be dead. There were reports that the US Coast Gurad flew a helicopter over the original GPS location. They would abandon the search due to high winds and low visibility. Very few people in the mountaineering community know of the limits of the SPOT. And, I am sure Kate Matrosova didn't know them either. She probably wondered why no one came for her. Out of desperation she probably kept hitting the button on the SPOT." from
Catskill Mountaineer

As you point out Bill, the sat. messengers function fine in the BWCA and Quetico as long as used properly. Signal strength limitation and terrain blockage is minimal in those locations.

butthead

Jaywalker: "

billconner: "Can you provide details of the failures in Bdub and Q? Every example I've come across is user error. It is true that Spot documentation is not as clear as it should be. "

I'm struggling to recall more details, but there was an instance a few years ago when one of our BWCA.com members started a Q trip on his own and his Spot stopped sending his daily "Im OK" message on day two or so. He was on his way to a meet up with other soloers, and eventually someone else at the meet up who knew the messages weren't getting through was able to get an all ok message back to his very concerned wife. He had been pushing the I'm OK button every day. Don't recall if there was any user error involved in that one or not, and it didn't delay any needed rescue, but it made me wonder if the sos button would have worked if needed. If anyone recalls and want to add or correct any details, please do. "

The Spot does have a spotty record. I have yet to hear of any serious issues with any inReach unit.

gravelroad: "The Spot does have a spotty record. I have yet to hear of any serious issues with any inReach unit."

I had an issue with inReach during a 6 week trip in Canada last summer. I would send out pre-programmed location messages every two days. During a 2 week period, the messages were not received (found out via sat phone message). I did receive an inReach text message from my daughter wondering if everything was ok. After lots of back and forth from Garmin after the trip, it turns out there was a glitch in their processing (human error on their part--problems were wider than they realized at first, and the person that was responsible left for holiday). As it turns out, pre-programmed messages, normal text messages, and SOS messages are all on different systems, using different technology, etc. The errors associated with my messages did not affect the other systems (and I was able to send and receive texts not associated with the pre-programmed), and I was assured that the SOS functionalities were not compromised.

Garmin has an interesting status site for their inReach which shows how their systems is operating, and if there are any known problems. inReach status .

Based on what I've learned, if someone doesn't hear from you, for an inReach they should message you (thereby using a separate communication system) to check on your status before calling in the troops. Before the trip, and before I knew of the idiosyncrasies of the system, I was not willing to trust any system well enough for a rescue response due to a lack of communication, and so although I sent out regular updates, I told the receivers not to worry if messages were not received consistently. But, we were well covered, as another member had a PLB, and we had a sat phone.

I know a lot of users of Spots to interpret the "message sending" led to be "message sent" and turn it off before it's actually sent - three times iirc. Design error or operator error? Once you know this and just let it finish and auto off, it's fine. And I've used same batteries for several years, so leaving on not a battery issue.

Since I've read if two instances of folks using their spot for someone they came upon who needed help - or maybe one was past help. I'd like being able to follow up with an "I'm OK". YMMV.

billconner: "

mgraber: "I have owned the ACR ResQlink for the past 5 years due to their reliability. Even though I am considering an Inreach, I will still carry the ResQlink as rescue is my main priority, and the high number of failures for the Inreach and Spot are enough to worry me."

Can you provide details of the failures in Bdub and Q? Every example I've come across is user error. It is true that Spot documentation is not as clear as it should be. "

Sorry, Bill, I did not save any of the information that I came across while researching. I believe the Inreach has been pretty reliable in the Quetico/BW area, the SPOT not so much. I travel in areas other than just canoe country, failures world wide are a different story and not all are user error( there are even a few lawsuits over the failures). After speaking with experts on the subject I just feel more secure with a PLB on my person. I think an Inreach would make one MUCH safer than nothing, and the ability to communicate with emergency responders and family could be invaluable in so many ways. I was not really intending to criticize anyone's choice, just stating what I've chosen after exhaustive research. Actually talking to the people who are the experts can be enlightening! Also, I already own the PLB, but would like a way to communicate.

I wonder if it's really safer - measured by results - in the era of PLBs and satellite messengers than previous to that.
And to answer of "best", you really have to examine what you want a device for. I got a spot simply to be able to send the "lm ok" to my wife, at here behest. The SOS function just happen to come with it.

MReid: "Garmin has an interesting status site for their inReach which shows how their systems is operating, and if there are any known problems. inReach status ."

Thanks for the particulars of your outage experience and for the reminder to check the status page more frequently than I have been doing. The latter was something of an eye-opener just now.

billconner: "I wonder if it's really safer - measured by results - in the era of PLBs and satellite messengers than previous to that.
And to answer of "best", you really have to examine what you want a device for. I got a spot simply to be able to send the "lm ok" to my wife, at here behest. The SOS function just happen to come with it."

Well one thing I can say for sure, you are much safer with the SPOT than with nothing at all, and I think the devices and systems are always improving. Most devices work the vast majority of the time, so no matter what we choose we are safer, unless you take unnecessary risks just because you have a device. I am quite sure we would both trip without any such device if necessary, so it really does depend on exactly what you want, need, or feel "safe enough" with. My greatest fear would be scaring my wife or family if they failed to get my messages.

"My greatest fear would be scaring my wife or family if they failed to get my messages."

Worse would be getting the SOS call, like the mom whose children and husband sent when they came upon someone going over Rebecca Falls. Much worse. Luckily the Q rangers could get a message to her that her family was fine.

With no reports if many fatalities pre-devices, I'm just not sure "much safer". Were trekkers dropping like flies? Even modern times the reports if a device summoning help, I'm not sure they changed the outcome very often. The dead stayed dead. I suspect those with broken paddles would have survived in any case.

billconner: " "My greatest fear would be scaring my wife or family if they failed to get my messages."


Worse would be getting the SOS call, like the mom whose children and husband sent when they came upon someone going over Rebecca Falls. Much worse. Luckily the Q rangers could get a message to her that her family was fine.


With no reports if many fatalities pre-devices, I'm just not sure "much safer". Were trekkers dropping like flies? Even modern times the reports if a device summoning help, I'm not sure they changed the outcome very often. The dead stayed dead. I suspect those with broken paddles would have survived in any case."

I totally get what you are saying, which is why I would like to have a communication device. By much safer, I simply mean that if in the rare event that something serious happens, help can be summoned. With a son with deadly but 99% controlled asthma, and me with some growing health concerns, as well as the fact that we occasionally trip in much more remote areas than Quetico, I feel much safer with what I've chosen. Accidents can and do happen frequently even in the BW/Quetico. We have personally witnessed 4 cases of evacuation.

mgraber you touched on exactly an issue I have discussed with my wife. If she gets a SOS message from my SPOT, it is more likely to be ME reporting somebody else's misfortune, that it is for my misfortune, if you want to call it that.

I have an ACR PLB because it is required for an expedition race I participate in. And I carry it on my trips to Quetico/WCPP. But I also have a SPOT gen 3 because it is also required for the same event, so I bring it too, and I use the Okay message daily. So I've thought about it and if somebody else is having a problem, I will use my SPOT SOS button. If I'm having the problem, the PLB is getting set off!

Since I already have the reliability of the ACR covered, my next purchase will be an InREach or a SpotX, both for the 2-way ability. Being able to text out the nature of an emergency could be a very valuable feature.

Joe

I have also repeatedly re-enforced with my emergency contact (my sister) that just because I pushed my emergency button doesn't necessarily mean that it's ME who is in trouble; that there is an equal or great chance I've stopped to help someone else. In addition to this, I've walked through with her how the process works and what to expect; that once activated the rescue center would likely first pull up my profile, and then call her to confirm some details (like is he in the BWCA, is he traveling solo, outdoor skill set, any health issues, etc). Most likely after that call they will contact the local authority responsible for SAR in that area - for the BWCA that's one of the three county sheriff departments who then muster resources such as their SAR team, the FS and their Beaver float planes, troopers, etc. Knowing what to expect should reduce stress in times of emergency.

One more ancillary point - for anyone using any type of emergency device, make sure once a year that your profile information is up to date and complete. On the website where I registered my PLB I made sure to include details such as where I would likely be, that I usually travel solo with my black lab, that I paddle an SRQ16 that's red on the outside and yellow inside (if they fly directly over they may not see the red!), the colour of my tent and tarp, my health status, outdoor experience, and first aid/rescue training. All this may be helpful in them finding me or my camp and determining next steps. Information can be updated for each trip if needed.