Personal Locator Beacons New ‘Hot Topic” in the Outdoor World
September 28, 2007
Personal Locator Beacons, or PLB’s as they are often referred to in the press, have been the subject of some highly contested debates in the climbing world, but now that debate is expanding.
For those of you not familiar with what a PLB is or does and how it could potentially help you then perhaps you are not alone. A PLB, as the name suggests, is a small beacon that is carried on you that will transmit a signal to a satelite and then on to the authorities if you would ever happen to get lost in the wilderness, or on a climb..ect. I even know some parents who would love to have this technology to keep track of their kids..
PLB’s have become the hot topic in the outdoor world, especially after some very high profile search and rescue efforts over the past couple of years. It all began in December of 2006 with three climbers who became lost on Mt. Hood, then subsequently perished before they were able to be rescued. The debate heated up across the climbing community.
People involved in the search efforts argue that the PLB’s will not only save time and money on search and rescue missions–but they may also save more lives in these scenarios. Oregon recently passed a law requiring PLB’s on all climbers attempting Mt. Hood.
Now the discussion has started to make it’s rounds in the hiking circles. People have been caught unprepared for the elements in the wild, have gotten lost–and recently a couple of high profile cases involving lost boyscouts in the woods have propelled this to the forefront of safety measures that actually could be enacted to make these excusions safer and less expensive if a search and rescue effort is warranted.
Arguments against making PLB’s law for anyone heading into the outdoors on long excusions include the cost factor to the individual, as well as a general feeling of the government trying to infringe upon a person’s freedom.
The cost factor seems to be the biggest issue. Many people are just not aware of the cost, or the PLB’s existence for that matter. A PLB can generally be rented for around $49 for an excusion, or if you are out and about much, perhaps you might want to check into purchasing one. A general PLB will set you back about $499 for an outright purchase.
Yes, the cost is a factor. Most people claim they don’t have that kind of cash. Now many government agencies are trying to pass on the cost of search and rescues to the people involved in these issues. When you take a look at it this way, they aren’t really that expensive and can possibly save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The average cost for a rescue is roughly $100,000. This is on the cheap. If an all out search is involved, which on average lasts about two weeks–it could cost you $500,000- $1,000,000 depending on the amount of people and the degree of searching involved. Now, $499 doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Should this be a law? The only way I could find a “law” on this matter to be useful–that is, expecting people to actually go out and use these things on their next hike in the woods–is if the Government’s National and State Parks provide the PLB’s to the people for a small fee.
I do think they are useful. I do think that they can save time, money, and lives, but I also think that the general public needs to have access to the technology before such a “law” is enacted. Not many places carry such items.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Should this be made a law? Would you use such a device? Make a comment and join the discussion.
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under PLB's, Personal Locator Beacons, Search and Rescue |
Personal Locater Beacons are wonderful things. It’s amazing we live in a world where we can wear a device in the back country that will alert SAR teams to where we are at and retrieve us should something go wrong. The technology is fantastic, and I have every intention of using one on several legs of the Trifecta.
However, there comes a point where the government oversteps their bounds. Requiring use of a PLB will turn thousands away from adventure activities, including some Boy Scouts. Many Scouts come from working class families, and Scouting can be expensive enough as it is. I know, I’m an Eagle Scout, and it could get expensive for me coming up. Now, tack on $500 to the cost of equipment currently purchased, most of which isn’t that high in one shot, and you are not setting a situation where the Scout’s family may not be able to pay.
As for rentals, $50 is still fairly steep for some families out there, who may have had to scrape up the $20 for the Scout’s cut of the patrol’s food. I can’t speak for all troops, but mine tried to get out to the woods at least once a month. If even half of these are places that require PLBs, then the parents are looking at $350 a year for rentals.
Things often happen in the back country because of people’s mistakes. PLBs will not prevent that. Instead, they’ll prevent future generations from enjoying the wilderness, which will then lead to the government shutting down the National Parks due to lack of use.
It might be a nice idea, and if they tweak it significantly, it might be workable (I can think of a couple possible ways), but ultimately it will do more harm than good in my opinion.
I have been hike, climbing and mountaineering seriously for the past 15 years and find that a PLB is a very smart tool, just as important as my ice axe. But, with that said, I do not feel that is the governments role to require every person to carry a PLB. Next they will require everyone to carry a sat phone. No mater whether they make it a law or they don’t, things will always happen. How many times have you seen on TV where a small cat, dog, horse has fallen into a well or body of water and for the next two adys they call in every fireman,cop and emergency personal to save this animal. Who has to pay for that and are they going to be required to carry a PLB.
I am an overly safe mountaineer a do take every step to prevent bad situations but passing it as law will only cause people to not go out and enjoy the outdoors and that effects all the places that sell outdoor equipment plus the towns that we visit and drive through and spend our money in. And why is the standard PLB so expensive? Just seems like a joke to me or a copout on really eduucating people about the outdoors and the knowledge that it takes be out in it.
It is a sad occurance now that to save a person’s life, we expect payment!
Guys,
I have to agree with both of you. I think most people are worried that the “choice” of whether or not to use the PLB’s will be taken away. I think it is a good idea to use them, especially if you are not to familiar with survival techniques ect..
As far as the search and rescues, I still stand by my thoughts that I have been pretty vocal about on this site…Search and rescues are conducted by Volunteers and Certain authorities that are already being paid by “the taxpayer” to do this job. We pay for the police, EMS, and the military and fire ect. So why should we be forced to pay twice for this service?
Jason,
I agree with you about the cost of SAR. Furthermore, I don’t understand why people think a PLB will negate that expense. All it does is cut down on search time, which can also be done by leaving detailed plans of your route. Someone still has to go up the mountain/down the river to get them.
Not only that, but PLBs only work if someone can activate them IIRC. Avalanche victims may not be able to, and there are plenty of injuries which would prevent one from being able to activate them as well. Hypothermia is a condition where the affected party may not turn it on, just as one example.
PLBs are wonderful things, but I get the feeling that folks think they’re a “cure-all” for back country rescue. They aren’t. And, since someone still has to go up the mountain to get them, and as you said that someone is a volunteer or is paid for with tax dollars, I don’t see the PLB cutting any real costs, so why do it?
Can you tell that government playing nanny is a sore subject with me?
Tom, in answer to your comment, the savings in costs associated with the SAR would come about because the actual time of searching would be cut way down. If a person gets stranded, they can set off the PLB. Right away authorities would know pretty much where that lost person is. They would not have to search by land and air over the next two weeks trying to find them. Case in point, the Mt. Hood accident in December of 2006, of which I covered here.
I am sure this will not solve all of the problems. You are right. People would have to actually be able to take an initiative to turn the beacons on. If they are decapacitated due to injury, there is a good chance the PLB’s wouldn’t help much. How many people get lost in the woods though, and are eventually found 2-3-4..even a week or two later, that are perfectly fine, as far as condition. That is where these would help out the most.
I don’t believe that making the PLB’s a requirement is the way to go though. I think educating the public about the PLB’s would be helpful. Let them know they are there, then make the decision.
Good day!,
I’m new here. And it seems like a great place.
I just wanted to give a friendly hello to all of you here.
-Ashleigh
i’m eric. joining a couple boards and looking
forward to participating. hehe unless i get
too distracted!
eric
PLB’s are a good idea if not used frivolously (which I fear might happen) and also might encourage some people to take greater risks than they should. Bad enough some of the lack of preparation that is seen just on dayhikers, now with this will people be encouraged to really strike out on their own? Having carried people on litters in the wild, I can say that it is no picnic (and no glory or pay, lol) but I’d like to see more training & common sense than electronic gadgets (and the PLB/EPIRB’s are incredibly useful for what they are designed for)
Hi
Just stopping in to say hi to y’all as a new member.
Aaron
Hi there,
I’m new! Any news?
hello i am new and wanted to “hi” to the board.
how is everyone doing?
I’m a 53 year old hiker who likes to go on hikes alone (with my dog). I have to admit having a PLB along is sounding more and more promising. While I always let people know where I’m going and when I’m expected back, I do know emergencies arise. I carry enough to make it through the night if needed.
Recently a friend was out hiking (fortunately with 2 other frieinds) and broke her ankle. One was able to go back down to where there was cell phone coverage and get help. In my situation this would have triggered a search… trail would be known but still a manpower investment. A PLB would have shortened it.
I’ll probaly buy one but worry about their use for non lifethreatening emergencies, especially if cost drops and more and more “Saturday” hikers use them…