911 button or Sissy?

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BrianF
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Re: 911 button or Sissy?

Post by BrianF »

OR, my thinking is the same as yours, Maybe it is the SAR background. Since I am most often solo, I use my Spot 2 to give my location to my contact person on a daily basis, sending an OK signal from my camp each evening and usually from some point on my ramblings if I am on a dayhike or climbing a peak. That provides a record of where I have been recently as a beginning point for a search. Plus it makes her feel better that I carry one.
For what it is worth, I have yet to have a failure of the signal getting through in the Sierra, I did have a problem getting contact in a deep canyon in my local backcountry, where I had to climb the slope a ways to get signal- obviously not a possibility if severely injured or incapacitated.
The direction you are moving in is what matters, not the place you happen to be -Colin Fletcher
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Jimr
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Re: 911 button or Sissy?

Post by Jimr »

I've always had a love/hate thing with technology. It's amazing how fast it goes from neat, newfangled toy to something we can't live without. Yet, for the most part, I find it about 10% useful and the other 90% a waste of time. Just like the T.V. set that I'm having ever more difficulty even finding that 10%. I got a GPS device for x-mas a few years ago and had fun learning about it and playing with various software programs for plotting, planning and manipulating route and waypoint files, but I have yet to bring it with me on a trip. Maybe this year. Maybe not. My wife would feel much better if I brought a SPOT device on my solo trips, I suppose, but I have not told her of their existence. Heck, I didn't even want the cell phone in my pocket. I agreed to carry it for emergency purposes. Who knew that "we're out of meatballs, please pick some up on your way home." would be an emergency.

Maybe I oughta give in, cram a WIFI receiver up my :moon: and be ON 24/7.

Dang, I'm gettin' crotchety.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
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Wandering Daisy
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Re: 911 button or Sissy?

Post by Wandering Daisy »

I use technology at home and I sure like it to plan trips, but it does not go on the trail with me. I am totally aware of the increased risk of this and accept it. My family is also well trained in not getting too worried if I am a day late. We are not the kind of family that feel we need to know exactly what each other are doing all the time. They know exactly what to do if I do not show up after giving me a bit of leeway. They have a written emergency plan to follow. I plan my trips in detail, and include expected "detours" and optional "exploration". I would say that 90% of the time I am on schedule and exactly where I said I would be. I carry a small signal mirror and always take one bright yellow or orange item so that I am visible. I leave a written itinery and map with the family. I do not use a GPS although I will admit that a few times I would have had a lot less anxiety if I had one! I am very cautious and have no issue with retreat when necessary. I believe I would subconciously take more chances if I had a SPOT on me. As time goes on and I get older and more feeble, I may change my idea on this, but for now, I choose to "just say no" to the latest technology.

Technology offers many options, both in safety, social connection and entertainment. Each backpacker needs to choose what technology to use and what to leave behind. It is an individual decision based on goals and your experience and the feelings of your own loved ones. I would never advise others to simply do what I do just because it is what I choose. I in no way "look down" on those who use the latest gadgets. It is just not my choice. Maybe one day we will all have homing chips embedded within our skin. For now, I prefer to do without.
quentinc
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Re: 911 button or Sissy?

Post by quentinc »

Jimr wrote:I've always had a love/hate thing with technology....Who knew that "we're out of meatballs, please pick some up on your way home." would be an emergency.
I think there's a meatball app on the new iPhone, where it will automatically sense you are about to run out and have them delivered to your home without your ever knowing there was a near catastrophe.
I couldn't agree more with your post. OR makes a very convincing case for carrying a SPOT, but I wonder if I ever will.
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