Thread: Big thanks to the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Service and Team

Originally Posted by bunji

@LBD
Would be interesting to hear direct from your mate on " the the rescue crew did voice a preference to use an EPIRB over the Garmin SOS function" I went to a NZDA Southland meeting many years ago when the inReach etc were first coming in & they had guys from the rescue groups talking on the various options & they recommended them over the EPIRB for hunters ,maybe change in tech/size with the EPIRB's or inReach technology types not living up to expectations ?

It’s purely the homing function on the beacons that makes them a more robust system from the point of view of undertaking a search.
The inReach and other communicators are great as you can get some insight as to what the emergency is, however they often only provide a single Lat Long.
There have been inReach jobs out of Nelson where the location given has been up to 2.2 Km out, then revised to about half that distance. The initial search on one began in the wrong catchment, luckily they were well above the bush line and their torches stood out at dusk so fortunately a happy outcome.
Beacons update with each satellite that passes, so by the time you launch the coordinates are normally pretty reliable.

The Becker unit installed in the aircraft can then track the beacon radio directly. This becomes invaluable when the coordinates are under a dense tree canopy, fast tracking the process significantly.

It is extremely reassuring to have two way communication and know your call for help has been heard. The technology is headed towards PLBs with communication capability.

The inReach is great, but IMO it’s primary application is not emergency location (excepting that this might not be so apparent to the user).

I think PLB with communication capacity will be a great advance... I did have a choice of an EPIRB or InReach for this trip and have been considering the differences in the last couple of days.

No doubt if someone was in a life threatening situation requiring immediate assistance... an EPIRB complete with a homing device, that only requires to be activated, would be the most efficient way to go.

The Inreach mini I had, did have the SOS function which I did not use. As Moutere points out the location accuracy can be hit and miss... I was not aware of this until the last couple of days and this will influence my future decisions...

However the two way communication was also important. Being injured but not in a critical emergency situation, I was reluctant to hit the panic button until I had discussed my situation first and considered alternatives. I am not sure what message the NMRH received, my daughter mentioned to 111 that my status was not dire or life threatening... I wanted to convey the understanding that I was happy to take a number in a cue if there were other more pressing needs elsewhere.

Worth noting is the texting with an In Reach Mini is slow and Laborious... and you may not get a message out from under tree cover or in a gully... In an urgent emergency an EPIRB should be first call.... however the Inreach is still much much better than nothing as my experience has shown

So I guess next trip I will pack an Inreach and an EPIRB, as well as flysheet and ground mat.

Both ankle and entire calf are swollen and bruising is coming out. Ice packs, Nurofen, elevation and rest. Doctor on Tuesday for a check up... no improvements yet.