I was on a trip with my wife and dad. We were in the northern part of the Quetico. One night we saw a bunch of clouds to the south, but didn't think anything of it. We had a good night's sleep. Unbeknownst to us, there was a big, big storm just south of us. I forgot to check in for a couple of days. When we got home, I found out everyone had been really worried about us - they thought we had been hit by the storm. Now it is *required* for me to check in every day, either morning or night. What happens when the SPOT doesn't work? Well, they worry, but I tell everyone that a SPOT is an electronic device and might not always work.

I've never done a solo. On my last trip, I was with just my 5-year-old son. I taught him how to use the SPOT. I said that if I was hurt and couldn't talk, to press 911. Luckily we didn't have to use it.

I took my Boy Scout troop to the BWCA last year and took a SPOT. I did not add any of the parents to the "help" or "SOS" list. I used other leaders that were not going on the trip. If they received a help or SOS, they could use their judgment on who else to involve in the emergency. I basically told the parents, "If the SPOT works, you can see where we are" - stressing the if it works.