Re:NOAA Satellites Helped Save a Record 421 Lives in 2019
by cameldrv on Friday January 24, 2020 @01:57AM
(#22135983)
The InReach is far superior. You can communicate with rescuers, but you can also communicate with anyone with a phone number or an email address. This is extremely useful if you have a minor emergency and just need a friend to pick you up at a road somewhere or you just need more food or water. On the other hand, you can also tell rescuers that you need a helicopter immediately and not wait for people to hike to where you are.
The InReach also has tracking, so if you go missing and don't activate the beacon, they'll have a very good idea of where to look for you. I've also found it very useful for arranging pickups/meetings if I'm behind schedule or plans change.
The device itself is about the same price as a PLB, but there is a service charge. The basic plan is $15/mo, but you can turn it on and off at any time, so if you only go on a couple of trips per year, the price isn't overwhelmingly more than a PLB.
Re:NOAA Satellites Helped Save a Record 421 Lives in 2019
by thaumaturgy on Thursday January 23, 2020 @08:05PM
(#22134326)
LOVE InReach and we recommend 'em to anybody that can handle the sticker shock.
Eg; if I need an air evac vs. I broke my leg and can't walk out. Or if I can get medical advice from a rescuer. Similarly I can communicate dangers the rescuers may face.