Bad, bad SPOT (User...)

Harvey, I'm glad that you're happy with the SPOT service and seeing one's track on a Google map is fun. SPOT offers a good service in that regard, and I have no trouble with that.

The only problem, which I tried to outline above, is that their emergency service is funded by us, the taxpayers, (our government) and SPOT is making money by helping us with rescues.

Rescues are good, but it seems that some SPOT calls are of the handholding type, and maybe SPOT should respond to those, since they're charging for the service.

By the way, my copy of Fugawi does the same, by downloading a Google map. The recorded or planned route is shown. Of course, you have to be connected to the internet, but I suppose that's also true of SPOT.

Boris
 
Believe it would be better if the Sat and Cell phones along with Spot and the other emergency locator's had never been invented. Many go places and do things totally unprepared to deal with emergency situations themselves due to their reliance on ready no cost to them rescue if needed. Of course like many other items that we all depend on now they are great when used responsibly. When properly used they can really lower the anxiety levels as stated by several here already for the ones on the adventure and those at home concerned about how they are doing. Personally, though I have the Sat and cell phone and am considering the Spot I have never gone anywhere I wouldn't have gone anyway without it and in many years of adventure off the beaten path have never yet asked for or needed someone Else's assistance.

Jay
 
This article provided a truckload of interesting feedback re SPOT, Sat phones, EPIRB's, Adventurer responsibilty (and irresponsibility), reproductive choices...(?), ovulation monitors (good one, Jim...); Lordy, I wonder what's coming next.

Permit me to weigh-in with a few thoughts - maybe relevant, maybe Not.

(1) As Jay mentioned, certain fancy devices have permitted folks into the backcountry when they should have stayed on the pavement. We can't really correct folks stupidity (Nature used to do that...and took care of the reproductive issue at the same time.), now we rely on all the fancy items to pull us out of a jam. Some of it's good, but some of it permits folks to venture where they shouldn't (yet) go.

(2) Years ago I was permitted to be the Chief Ranger/Pilot at Katmai National Park (AK). A Very neat place with LOTS of "backcountry" (4.2M acres as I recall...). Each summer I would hire and dispatch backcountry Rangers for various fixed locations and roving patrols in the Park and a place called Aniakchak. I bought a few ELT's to send out with two person roving patrols. each spring I'd test the device (there is a particular protocol to use) to make sure the devices were reliable, then seal the ELT in a tamper proof plastic container.

Ranger's can break anything; even a ballbearing, so I'd warn the user's what would happen if they used the device when circumstances didn't warrant, Friendly Casey would be seriously upset. My young Rangers always wanted to know what I considered a true emergency. I'd tell them that if I was only a week or so late in picking them up; that's not an emergency, maybe I just forgot them for a few days, or forgot where I left them. If I hadn't gotten them by early October they should begin walking out. If they were confined to their tent for several days, wet and cold; that was not an emergency. If they were confined to their tent for several days, wet and cold, with a broken leg and a brown bear had just eaten their patrol partner; that WAS an emergency and they could consider pressing the magic ELT button. Happily we never got any Ranger's eaten or ELT's activated, and I didn't forget to pick-up too many of them. (As for brown bears - I suspect brown bears have done more for backcountry management than most of the Rangers, myself included.)

2) I thought it was interesting that the SPOT unit in the original story had been RENTED. Maybe the rental company should have briefed the folks a little more, eh?

3) SPOT also offers "rescue insurance" for circumstances where rescue is necessary. In europe, requiring a "rescue" can cost the rescuee big bucks; maybe we need to look at that in the US.

4) Although false calls can be extremely expensive, use of these devices can greatly facilitate a response time, with a considerable cost savings to the rescue organization. In a "simple" overdue/lost scenario it is not uncommon to expend vast amounts for manpower, boat, fixed-wing, or helicopter time looking for a "victim." At least with the electronic beacons the rescuer has much better information on where to begin looking. Does that excuse the stupid employment of the device? Hell no, but at least it's a positive amongst the negatives.

After rereading this - maybe I should press the 911 button on MY SPOT; clearly I need someone to drag me away from my laptop. "HELP, I'm writing, and I can't Shut Up!"

Best to All (we're off to Apalachicola in the morning. Yeah!)
Casey*
*the verbose One.
 
In reference to "localboy"'s scenerio with false alarms--in many juristictions where I have lived, the Sheriff's office applies a charge after the first or second false alarm.

Should we take the "not invent" to not inventing the GPS, radio, TV or computer etc? I suspose that you can attribute many ills in society to each of these devices. Would my life have been any different because of these devices?--yes--I would not have my "C Dory" friends. But I would would have done the same voyages, the same hikes etc--because I learned before GPS or Sat Phones. I also learned that if I got in trouble, I darn well better get myself out of it, since no one was going to come and get me. Maybe having that attitude would prevent some "stupid" things that people do.
 
thataway":u9i02q9s said:
I also learned that if I got in trouble, I darn well better get myself out of it, since no one was going to come and get me. Maybe having that attitude would prevent some "stupid" things that people do.
Click to expand...

That's the personal responsibility I mentioned in an earlier post. But it appears that nearly everyone is a "victim". Just watch "the news" and miriad examples will jump out daily.

And yes, our jurisdiction has begun fining offending homeowners on their 3rd false in 6 months.
 
Casey

As usual belly splitting humor while making very good points. Loved the brown bear reference to back country management. Noticed while in Pelican, Alaska the locals said they wouldn't even go to shore on the west coast of Chichagof Island where the brown bear population is very high. That attitude combined with its remoteness sure makes for a pristine beautiful area with absolutely no one telling someone else what they can or cannot due and if they are its at such a distance as to be totally irrelevant.

Bob, your points are what I trying to say only better stated. Though these ELD and other devices are now here and available, which makes even responsible folk like you foolish not to use. It just seemed a better world to me when the great adventurers and explorer's exemplified by Capt Cook were in the process of making this world a much smaller place. I'm sure not against progress, but it does come at a steep price. On the other hand with my getting into boating at such a late stage in my life it wouldn't have been prudent for me to go the places I have been in a boat with Jo-lee without that great little invention the gps and therefore would have lost out on some of our life's greatest experiences.

I didn't purchase a Sat phone until Jo-Lee started going with me on our Yukon river and lake adventures in a small RIB. Even with it we were always set up with all the equipment to stay out for a very long period of time if needed. Planned for trips in the same manner before and after acquiring the Sat phone and still would never have bought it if Jo-Lee hadn't started making these trips too.

Jay
 
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