I have a solo scheduled for mid August entering ep 51 and exiting either ep 49 or 44 depending upon further research and the success of my May solo. Last night I read many trip reports associated with ep 51 and 44 as well as 43, just out for a virtual tour. What I didn't expect were all the harrowing stories of weather and physical challenges. Fly outs, lost, twisted ankles, broken bones, blown body parts...holy smokes, the reports were certainly "eye-openers".

I'm rather convinced I really should invest in a SPOT. As a low tech camper I respect the forum's sage advice. What say the solo group.

Also, how many have been seriously injured on their trips...lack of capacity injury? A careful camper, always looking one step ahead, I had a couple of vicarious nervous moments last night. Maybe folks consider their non-injury trips too boring to post?

The most serious injury I've had in the BWCA is a mildly sprained ankle while portaging due to not paying attention to where I was stepping. Wasn't bad enough to seriously impair the trip, and since we were staying a couple of nights in one place it had a day to improve.

It sounds like you already are pretty mindful of what you are doing. I think it is the key to avoiding injury when outdoors. It also helps to slow down, take your time and not get totally exhausted. That's when a lot of injuries occur.

I looked into a SPOT but have decided to get a DeLorme InReach satellite communicator instead. Initial cost is higher, but it can do a lot more and the monthly enrollment structure is better. You can actually send text messages to anyone of you want, or used canned messages. It gets better reviews compared to the SPOT. The SPOT gets pretty bad reviews for their website, instructions and customer service. Plus you have to sign up for year-round service which doesn't make much sense.

I thought SPOT had a month to month option too?

And day by day from outfitters. I plan on taking something I can rent as ownership cannot be justified by the current utilization. What finally convinced me was information gained at the wilderness medicine training at 'copia this year.
I am not so worried about the injury that ruins the trip, oh that would be a real bummer. It is the injury that could be lethal so they can find me. Saves rescue crews lots of hassle and those back home the uncertainty. It might just save my life.

I slipped on an underwater rock, bruised my shin, and tore some skin, but that was merely pain.

Another time, I slipped on an underwater rock and my fell backwards into the water. If my head had hit another rock, I might have drowned.

Both slips happened when exiting the canoe, so be careful there.

As regards SPOT, I carry a PLB. I did the research and concluded that the PLB is a little more reliable.

'I thought SPOT had a month to month option too?'

It was my understanding that SPOT only has a yearly enrollment, but then I've been wrong before.

It did sound in some reviews like people have had customer service problems with SPOT if it didn't work properly, and they had difficulties getting the company to stop billing them, but who knows if it is a big deal.

Had a big pike managed to pry himself in such a way that my hand slid across his teeth. Had several gashes on my hand, but nothing some duct tape couldn't hold together.

My bro got a treble hook stuck in the cuticle of his thumb. Had to yank the barb out. No other way to do it. That sucked.

I slipped and fell pretty hard on my solo last October but mostly bruised my pride. Lucky though.

I've never been seriously injured on a trip, solo or otherwise, but I recognize the possibility. An assortment of minor cuts, scrapes, bruises, sprains - but nothing serious. I do have one knuckle that is still considerably bigger than the other though.

Like missmolly, I decided the PLB was a better solution for me.

I have also concluded that portage/campsite landings are the most likely to result in a slip and fall, which seems to be the most likely to result in an injury. Be careful there, loading and unloading. Be cautious with sharp implements - I do not carry a hatchet/axe. Be careful with fire.

I have an InReach and would vote for it too. Annually it cost me about the same as the 'regular' SPOT because I only turn it on when using it. Being able to provide details to S & R (which is only really possible with inReach, a SAT phone or a SPOT connect) is worth the somewhat higher initial cost.

I wouldn't get to alarmed... $hit happens, but it's pretty minimal considering, when people use their heads out there. I broke a tooth a couple three years back on day one of an eighteen day trip. I cut out part of my trip so I didn't get too far from my entry point... still did the Frost River that trip. Ended up being a nice 11 day trip and I got out, went to the dentist and she yanked my tooth anyway. I think using your head out there is big, but conditioning ourselves is as big. I really need to work on that as being on the road I tend to not work out much.

Can't say I have ever been injured worst than a small cut. I have a bad habit of looking around when portaging. I force myself to stay focused on the trail ahead. If I want to look at something I stop walking. missmolly brought up a good point on slippery rocks. If I have to get out or in on slippery rocks I wear my wading boots. They have felt on the bottom. Really helps on slippery rocks.
On solos I have taken a sat phone and a gps a couple times. That kind of safety gear, I'm for what ever makes you feel comfortable.

I have and use a spot. Peace of mind for family. However, each trip has a message that never gets received by family. So it's important to let them know that a message not sent doesn't mean trouble.

Also important that they know if SOS button is used, it might not be you that is in need of help. I'm going to dedicate 1 of the buttons to a "it's not me that needs help, but someone else" message. Perhaps another reason to get a satellite text feature. Would be helpful for SAR to know what it is you need. Ie, a plane ride that day, or someone to paddle in and get you back within a day or two.

I've been going to the BWCA since 1963 (before it was officially the BWCA) and never had anything more serious than bruises, scratches and minor cuts. Perhaps that means I'm not adventurous enough, but it also means not much will happen if you are careful.

The SPOT gives me lots of mixed feelings. I personally would never bring one but, I can understand why some feel it is essential.

I carry the Spot because my husband asked me too. I did not want to carry the Spot at first but he asked me to carry the Spot for his benefit. I have no depth perception and am very accident prone. I check in daily. Some of my friends husbands do not want their wives to do any solo tripping. The fact that my husband is totally on board with my solo tripping is wonderful. Its piece of mind for the both of us.

Spot does not have a monthly option, only a monthly payment option for the year long subscription, which of course cost more. So the service subscription is for 1 year but you can either pay it all in one lump sum or 12 easy monthly payments.

Never had an injury in the BW. Being careful with fire and blades, and extra careful with footing will do a lot to reduce risks. I don't carry a PLB, but maybe someday will. Despite the regularity they appear in discussions here, I would bet that it is still a minority of groups paddling into the BW or Q that have them - guessing 10-20%?? Does anyone know?

Could be jaded but I take trip reports with a grain of salt. News heard leans more to the spectacular and troublesome. Folks do not get as much attention when nothing goes wrong. Going back 10 years 20 trips I have been wind bound once, twisted an ankle once, lost one hat in 2 canoe dumps. What I had a lot of, have been excellent trips, occasional great company when meeting friends or traveling with them.
Take a pro-active safety attitude. Wear a PFD at all times on the water. Slow down an think some. Watch the weather and water conditions and plan a safe route in advance. Be careful with fire.
An electronic rescue signal, Spot, Inreach, PLB, is a wise choice. Learn about them, the differences between them, keep them handy yet protected.
Everyone has a boogey man, hope you deal with yours as easily as I have with mine!

butthead

I've never been injured on a trip. Could have, from slipping on an angled boulder twice. I'm doing a solo trip in June and renting a sat. phone, the wife would not let me go without it. They are pricey in my opinion but it may be my only help.
One thing I have noticed on past trips is people seem to get in a race to get across portages. Especially if there are others from another group on the portage. When you try to go fast, this is when I have seen things I think "that could have been bad". I like taking my time. It makes more memories. Good ones not Bad ones.