Satellite Emergency Notification Devices: signalling gizmos
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 3:54 pm
OK. With the tragic disappearance of Larry and some other relevant threads around here, I thought I'd summarize what I know of emergency location and messaging devices. The acronym (and there's always an acronym) is SENDS: Satellite Emergency Notification Devices. For the average consumer, there are three on the market: SPOT (two models); DeLorme and various PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons).
There is, of course, an understandable philosophical debate on carrying a gizmo into the solitude of the wilderness where you're "on your own" as the writer Aldo Leopold once put it. I'll not enter that debate, it being a very personal choice. I will, though, say that it sure makes the job of SAR people easier and, arguably, can potentially save families and friends a huge amount of grief. Because of a history of serious accidents and fatalities within government agencies, I have recommended that all employees carry one when traveling off-trail (remember now, I'm a lowly grunt and have little influence, though that doesn't stop me...). I would go so far as to say that anyone hiking alone should strongly consider having one.
The misuse of these gizmos make it regularly into the press and there's no question it's a potential problem. However, the responses I've been involved in and know about were all legitimate, with a couple of exceptions (a lame horse!).
So ok. There's three types available for the average consumer and another one that really only works for an agency (the GeoPro Messenger):
DeLorme InReach
This works as a standalone using the Iridium Satellite network. It's got an emergency activation button that can signal either the GEOS International Emergency Response Center (which is the SPOT command center) for 24/7 monitoring and relay of an activation to the responsible SAR agency. That's available for a monthly subscription price. Or you can set it to notify up to 5 friends or relatives. You have to be sure, though, that one or all of those people will be in cell or email range and always checking, but that's free. It will send up to 3 pre-programmed messages and do tracking at whatever interval you set it to. It'll also do an "I'm here" waypoint send to a web site or pre-programmed list of people.
It's major advantage, though, is when paired with either the DeLorme PN 60w GPS or an iPhone or Android (one Delorme model is for the gps, another for the phones -- they won't do both). This allows two way text communication to cell phones or email addresses as well as communication with any SAR people involved.
I've used and tested it and think pretty highly of it. The satellite device as a standalone seems to have pretty good battery life. Seems like it'll send out tracking every hour or so as well as pre-programmed messages for at least a week long trip. I also used it paired with the PN 60w GPS. That was a little disappointing. The messaging and tracking worked extremely well, however the batteries on the GPS with just minimal tracking and messaging seemed to last only two days. Both use AA batteries, so that's a plus but for messaging on the gps, you'd better have a bunch. However, if your plan is only to use it for emergencies and maybe one "I'm here" signal per day, it'll work fine.
I didn't try it with the iPhone or Android yet. I loaned it to a person with an iPhone but the testing was not enough to determine battery life. Tracking and texting were excellent. I saw a hiker useing it with his daughter's iPod -- so any new smart iX device will apparently run the app.
SPOT
There's two models, but I've tried neither though responded to calls for help and talked extensively to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center. The basic SPOT just does one way outbound signalling and pre-programmed messaging (3, I think). It uses the GlobalStar satellite system. The second is the SPOT II, it allows for outbound texting (but not inbound/receiving) messaging when paired with a smartphone. Both track, though at a default ping every 15 minutes; will send an "I'm Here" location and pre-programmed messages as well, of course, as an emergency activation to the IERC.
All of these devices signal to a web portal you can share with your friends. During an emergency activation, that information is made available to the responders from the time of the activation (but not before without the permission of someone who has access to the portal).
PLBs
Personal Locator Beacons. These are based on the emergency satellite system and response developed for the military and boats. They only send out an emergency call when activated which goes to the military emergency response center. They don't do tracking, "I'm here" or messaging. Only an emergency activation. The new ones (and that should be all that are around now) use an actual GPS signal for an accurate location. In addition, they broadcast a tone on a frequency that allows responders to triangulate the signal. Older PLBs worked only by a doppler calculation from passing satellites. It was the only thing around, but not great. On the off chance you buy a used one, make sure it's not one of those. You register the PLB -- not sure if there's a fee for that, but there's no subscription fee.
GeoPro & Shout Nano
There are two other devices worth mentioning for those of you who work somewhere large enough to buy and maintain an emergency response monitoring (for instance, our local college bought 10 and carries them on field trips as well as uses them for GIS and Emergency Response training). The GeoPro Messenger and the SHOUT Nano. Both use the GeoPro web portal. Both use the Iridium satellite network, will do two way texting to and from an email address or cell phone; will do "I'm here" and tracking at an interval you set. Both can be queried from an Administrator of the account.
The big difference is the company/agency has to set up it's own emergency response notification list. That means it would have to be reliably monitored 24/7. One agency uses a dedicated phone that only an emergency call from the device would activate --- meaning it's an emergency. It sits in the 24/7 dispatch center. Kind of a klunky workaround, but it does work. Also, the web portal allows an Administrator to monitor the tracking locations and text messages of everyone in the field on one screen. I've used both these devices and think they work extremely well.
Whew! There's more details for all these gizmos, but those are the general outlines. Overall, I'd take a close look at the DeLorme but individual preferences may vary... . The two way capability is worth a lot as well as it's ability to be programmed for variable tracking. There's also a strong argument to be made for it's use of the Iridium network vs. the GlobalStar. A technical argument I'm not sure I fully understand, but friends who should know prefer the Iridium.
I also haven't covered or used a Iridium satellite phone that is a phone as well as having tracking and emergency locator activation. I talked to the rep about these. They're promising and worth looking at. There's also one operated by Inmarsat. These use a geostationary satellite which means if you get a signal, you always have a signal. If not, you're out of luck. Iridium and GlobalStar have a net of satellites in various orbits, so the hope is one comes around which will give you coverage for a quick sent, at least. Worth further research if that's the direction you want to go.
Everyone here saw first hand the emotional and practical cost of having no idea where a person is when they don't come back on time. That should definitely be strongly considered in the decision making when choosing to get one or not.
George
There is, of course, an understandable philosophical debate on carrying a gizmo into the solitude of the wilderness where you're "on your own" as the writer Aldo Leopold once put it. I'll not enter that debate, it being a very personal choice. I will, though, say that it sure makes the job of SAR people easier and, arguably, can potentially save families and friends a huge amount of grief. Because of a history of serious accidents and fatalities within government agencies, I have recommended that all employees carry one when traveling off-trail (remember now, I'm a lowly grunt and have little influence, though that doesn't stop me...). I would go so far as to say that anyone hiking alone should strongly consider having one.
The misuse of these gizmos make it regularly into the press and there's no question it's a potential problem. However, the responses I've been involved in and know about were all legitimate, with a couple of exceptions (a lame horse!).
So ok. There's three types available for the average consumer and another one that really only works for an agency (the GeoPro Messenger):
DeLorme InReach
This works as a standalone using the Iridium Satellite network. It's got an emergency activation button that can signal either the GEOS International Emergency Response Center (which is the SPOT command center) for 24/7 monitoring and relay of an activation to the responsible SAR agency. That's available for a monthly subscription price. Or you can set it to notify up to 5 friends or relatives. You have to be sure, though, that one or all of those people will be in cell or email range and always checking, but that's free. It will send up to 3 pre-programmed messages and do tracking at whatever interval you set it to. It'll also do an "I'm here" waypoint send to a web site or pre-programmed list of people.
It's major advantage, though, is when paired with either the DeLorme PN 60w GPS or an iPhone or Android (one Delorme model is for the gps, another for the phones -- they won't do both). This allows two way text communication to cell phones or email addresses as well as communication with any SAR people involved.
I've used and tested it and think pretty highly of it. The satellite device as a standalone seems to have pretty good battery life. Seems like it'll send out tracking every hour or so as well as pre-programmed messages for at least a week long trip. I also used it paired with the PN 60w GPS. That was a little disappointing. The messaging and tracking worked extremely well, however the batteries on the GPS with just minimal tracking and messaging seemed to last only two days. Both use AA batteries, so that's a plus but for messaging on the gps, you'd better have a bunch. However, if your plan is only to use it for emergencies and maybe one "I'm here" signal per day, it'll work fine.
I didn't try it with the iPhone or Android yet. I loaned it to a person with an iPhone but the testing was not enough to determine battery life. Tracking and texting were excellent. I saw a hiker useing it with his daughter's iPod -- so any new smart iX device will apparently run the app.
SPOT
There's two models, but I've tried neither though responded to calls for help and talked extensively to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center. The basic SPOT just does one way outbound signalling and pre-programmed messaging (3, I think). It uses the GlobalStar satellite system. The second is the SPOT II, it allows for outbound texting (but not inbound/receiving) messaging when paired with a smartphone. Both track, though at a default ping every 15 minutes; will send an "I'm Here" location and pre-programmed messages as well, of course, as an emergency activation to the IERC.
All of these devices signal to a web portal you can share with your friends. During an emergency activation, that information is made available to the responders from the time of the activation (but not before without the permission of someone who has access to the portal).
PLBs
Personal Locator Beacons. These are based on the emergency satellite system and response developed for the military and boats. They only send out an emergency call when activated which goes to the military emergency response center. They don't do tracking, "I'm here" or messaging. Only an emergency activation. The new ones (and that should be all that are around now) use an actual GPS signal for an accurate location. In addition, they broadcast a tone on a frequency that allows responders to triangulate the signal. Older PLBs worked only by a doppler calculation from passing satellites. It was the only thing around, but not great. On the off chance you buy a used one, make sure it's not one of those. You register the PLB -- not sure if there's a fee for that, but there's no subscription fee.
GeoPro & Shout Nano
There are two other devices worth mentioning for those of you who work somewhere large enough to buy and maintain an emergency response monitoring (for instance, our local college bought 10 and carries them on field trips as well as uses them for GIS and Emergency Response training). The GeoPro Messenger and the SHOUT Nano. Both use the GeoPro web portal. Both use the Iridium satellite network, will do two way texting to and from an email address or cell phone; will do "I'm here" and tracking at an interval you set. Both can be queried from an Administrator of the account.
The big difference is the company/agency has to set up it's own emergency response notification list. That means it would have to be reliably monitored 24/7. One agency uses a dedicated phone that only an emergency call from the device would activate --- meaning it's an emergency. It sits in the 24/7 dispatch center. Kind of a klunky workaround, but it does work. Also, the web portal allows an Administrator to monitor the tracking locations and text messages of everyone in the field on one screen. I've used both these devices and think they work extremely well.
Whew! There's more details for all these gizmos, but those are the general outlines. Overall, I'd take a close look at the DeLorme but individual preferences may vary... . The two way capability is worth a lot as well as it's ability to be programmed for variable tracking. There's also a strong argument to be made for it's use of the Iridium network vs. the GlobalStar. A technical argument I'm not sure I fully understand, but friends who should know prefer the Iridium.
I also haven't covered or used a Iridium satellite phone that is a phone as well as having tracking and emergency locator activation. I talked to the rep about these. They're promising and worth looking at. There's also one operated by Inmarsat. These use a geostationary satellite which means if you get a signal, you always have a signal. If not, you're out of luck. Iridium and GlobalStar have a net of satellites in various orbits, so the hope is one comes around which will give you coverage for a quick sent, at least. Worth further research if that's the direction you want to go.
Everyone here saw first hand the emotional and practical cost of having no idea where a person is when they don't come back on time. That should definitely be strongly considered in the decision making when choosing to get one or not.
George