Recently, I made a post about SPOT, a device that uses GPS technology to send out your location and a message.

It seems that PLB’s (Personal Locating Beacons) are indeed making a difference, more and more. This is part of an article from The Outdoor Wire:

Anyway, the outdoor worldis learning that PLBs can be lifesavers. In 2007, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the PLB assisted in the rescue of eighty-eight people in thirty-eight separate incidents. That’s a pretty steady climb from the 37/22 totals in 2006.

NOAA also says there’s been a sixty six percent increase in PLB registrations as well, so the word’s getting out.

Globally, the Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz satellite system (the backbone of the PLB) is credited with rescuing 22,058 people since the program’s inception in 1982. Of that number, 5,748 persons were rescued in the U.S.

This year’s first PLB use, like most, has a happy ending.

Ken and Quinn Golash were on a Sunday drive January 6, in Arizona’s Prescott National Forest. They headed up a narrow mountainous road and quickly realized it was getting rough and difficult navigating. Unfortunately, it started to rain, and the water made it impossible for them to go back the way they came. Dry streambeds now filled with water literally washed the roadbed out.

Being in their sixties, the Golashes decided to spend the night in their truck and wait out the weather. They were experienced hunters and outdoorsmen, so they had some supplies in their truck – more than enough to survive the night. Thinking ahead, they even captured some rainwater –just in case.

They also had an ACR Electronics Microfix 406Mhz GPS PLB (whew) with them, a gift to Ken from his wife just the month before.

After the rain continued throughout the night, Ken hiked to a higher elevation the following morning where he unsuccessfully tried to get a cell signal.

At that point, they decided to activate their PLB. Despite the fact it’s generally regarded as a “signaling device of last resort,” they realized their family would quickly become alarmed and notify authorities. By activating the device, they knew a search could quickly be localized, rather than potential rescuers having to search hundreds of square miles in an effort to find the Golashes.

It worked. An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter located them and dropped a two-way radio. The terrain was too-narrow for the chopper to land, so they were directed to a spot further up the mountain. They were choppered out, and able to return and drive their truck out three days later.

Authorities weren’t too-upset at their decision. In fact, Sgt. Rick Barnes, with Forest Patrol for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, said the Golashes made a good call in activating the PLB. “It definitely made it easier to dial in where they were. Otherwise, we would’ve been searching thousands of miles rather than a small finite area. We like it when rescues are quick and easy like this one.” Barnes also commended the Golashes for being prepared to spend an unexpected night in the wilderness and for registering the beacon in advance with current information that gave the rescuers vital information for the search.

Ken Golash says he’s certainly thankful Quinn, gave him the PLB. In fact, he says he’s getting her one of her own and they plan to carry them whenever they travel, especially when driving in the wide-open spaces of the west. Ken also plans to carry the beacon when he hunts, which he often does alone. “Even if you have no one with you, you’re never alone if you have an emergency locator beacon,” he said.

Related Articles:

• Creepy Animal Rescue