Thread: Gear You're really glad you bought.

Originally Posted by planenutz

@R93 - would you be so kind as to share some further thoughts on this situation? I'm not looking for specifics on the event but a general overview of the way things unfolded... for example:

After you activated the SOS function, what happened next? Did you get a ping back telling you the SOS had been lodged? What was the timeline before you received notification of a rescue underway? How did you find coms went... easy as/frustrating/took ages to get info in and out etc.

Clearly the fact you had an inReach would suggest you had the advantage of two way coms and I take it this probably eased the workload of the rescue team in that they knew what they were coming to and could bring the appropriate resources?

I note one of the lads on here stated he felt there was a need for an independent PLB in addition to any inReach/Sat phone/radios etc. Would your experience mirror this or do you believe an inReach would be adequate on its own?

I was going to PM you these questions however I figured there might be others interested to hear the answers. I have an inReach mini (and hope I never need to use it to be rescued) so I'm very interested to hear specific feedback on this kind of product. If you don't mind, please.

Thanks

I had a client break a femur on the hill. Once I decided I needed a rescue I activated the SOS function on my inreach mini. 2mins later I had a reply asking me to confirm I had an emergency. I was then able to send and receive details when I wanted but it worked out to be every 10-15 mins right up till the arrival of the helo. I knew exactly what was happening and so did my client.
I was able to reassure the fella that a rescue was in hand. He had his mishap at 16:30 and it was dark by 6pm ish. The helo arrived at 2045 and he was on his way to hospital by 2115.

I have never owned a PLB but being able to know that a rescue was going to happen and he wasnt going to have to spend the nite in place was priceless. I would never buy a PLB after this experience. Better off with coms. Where he was rescued has bugger all sky. It is a tight valley that would be considered useless for satt coverage however I experienced no issues.

I have used my inreach in 3 different countries and it has worked perfectly.
My wife at home was also updated regularly by phone thru the service coming out of Texas in the US.
It is a great service. I also have a sat phone but it was back at camp.
Battery on the device was at 90% when I initiated the rescue. Once initiated it wouldnt deactivate or allow you to turn off device until they had him safe in hospital. Battery went down to 77% at the confirmation he arrived at hospital and rescue was complete.




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