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There size of the group and condition of the group makes a big difference in the answer to this. I do not think it OVERLY selfish if a group of six (in 3 canoes) takes no such device.  Thta size group has plenty of "redundancy" for dealing with issues.

A solo is a much different situation.  For a solo person not to have a mechanism of getting help is way more risky than anything I am willing to deal with.  So my first thought is risky, not selfish.  As to whether or not it is selfish, that also depends on what responsibilities one has to others.

I always rent a sat phone, my wife says that if anything should happen to me she would not be able to canoe out solo and we try to get to areas where we don't see many other people.  It's basically peace of mind, precautionary.

Hey KF, et al - All good points.  What I have learned from this discussion is that these devices need not be intrusive.  Set 'em up, beam up, turn 'em off.  Done.  I can do that. 

I can also get over the notion that "reducing risk detracts from wilderness experience."  In reality, this idea is pretty much a figment of my imagination anyway. 

But I do find the squawk of electronics (think weather radio) annoying!  We covered this on another discussion thread: but quiet, peace, solitude, and serenity is a bit part of what I treasure about canoe country.  As someone wrote on this thread, I like to get away from cell phones and all the other ubiquitous gadgetry that seems to define our modern lives.  I don't think that's selfish.  And if I can send a signal that might give loved ones some of comfort knowing where to search for my bloated corpse, or just knowing I are "in touch," without the hum, whir, whiz, squawk, static...that seems like an easy and very reasonable tradeoff.  Clearly, I've got to get off my neanderthal ass and learn a bit more about these devices. 

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments.

prouboy

So did you intend to lay a guilt trip on me.
Westwood

A SPOT device on which you just push the "okay" button every so often I do not see as having a big effect on the quality of "alone in the wilderness" experience.  I use one and find everyone at home really likes being able to see where I am and my progress, etc.
I would not however want to carry a sat-phone or any other device I could talk to the outside world on; or worse the outside world might use to contact me.  That I would feel is cheating on the wilderness experience.