Epirb

Des,
I purchased one for the family to be used by whom ever is out and about and may have need of it. My family are into longrange bushwalking and end up in some remote places, its a cheap form of insurance ($228).
We also have it in with the emergency gear in the 4wd and when needed it can also be used on the boat.
Best thing since sliced bread
Cheers
Vince

Came across 2 good tips about epirbs somewhere:

1. Keep it handy in the glove box or console with in easy reach of both driver and front seat pax....in a roll over you could be trapped and may need to get to the epirb to active it and throw it out the window. Don't keep it in a bag in the back of the truck!

1. Make sure the missus (or who normally sits in the front pax seat) knows what it is and how to use it in case the driver is out to it.

Hi all,
I live in a fairly remote town in WA, last saturday I got a call from AusSar, they handle search & rescue etc. The satalite tracked a beacon about 48 km NW of town, they gave me a position to fly to and see what the problem was. The normal aircraft VHF radio is able to dial up the EPIRB distress frequency, flying to the position I was not able to hear the signal after searching the area breifly I called AusSar & notified them of no signal heard.They then asked me to check out a small mine operated by one person in the area. While flying to the mine I picked up the signal, a normal aircraft radio can't actually track a signal with certainty,but you can get an idea of direction.Any way I found two Austrian tourists, besides a flooded river, there rented 4WD about 50 meters down stream, just the roof showing. They managed to get some of their gear out as it was as it was being swept down stream, with the gear they saved was an EPIRB which they turned on at 9.30am, satalite picked up signal at around 11.00am. I flew them to a nearby cattle station where the police came out & picked them up. The actual point where the EPIRB was 14.5 km from first position. This highlights the importance of staying with your car to give the searches every chance to find you.

Joe

Update......... Saw on the news tonight that it was an older couple and they spent quite a few hours in very hot conditions with little shade. The real good news is that they are both ok.
The vehicle must have tripped over an emu!!!!I'd rather have my bum on a beach in Broome
Than be stuck here in this damn room.

A mate of mine recently went to a boat show and had a look at Epirbs. Apparently a new type is about to be released which operates on a different frequency??

Also they transmit a special identifying signal to let the authorities know who you are. Each unit is logged into a database with the owners details.

I think it went along those lines.

By the way I once heard that you had to pick up the tab if you set it off (in an emergency I mean). Doesn't sound correct.

Anyone know for sure??

CheersFidei defensor

Rosco

It was even on the Sydney News - Lucky couple - I spent a great partg of my life in that area and this time of year you don't go wondering aound the property unless there is a reason. Great advertisement for safety and being prepared in the bush

Hi all , I read something recently , something to the effect that after 2007, the eperb system will not operate, something of a dispute about who is going to pay for the running of this . I actually think it was in 4x4 australia, last year.. cheers Michael

There's alot of info here on epirbs etc follow a link and find out about the changes to take place in 2009