I did carry a sat phone on one of my first solo trips.  I guess it proved useful because I was informed of a family emergency during my trip.  Unfortunate, being 3 days from my exit point and 2 days driving home meant that I couldn't respond to the emergency personally, but was able to "contribute" otherwise. 

Despite this 1 in 1000 chance of really needing a sat phone, I decided thereafter not to take it, but rather a SPOT instead.  Since much of my travel involves paddling solo (sometimes with other paddlers, sometimes all alone; sometimes in familiar waters, sometimes virgin waters for me), there is a good chance I'll have to effect a self-rescue if it should ever come to that.  There is a descent chance, even when traveling with others, I could be alone (and 2-way radios I've found to be a waste of weight to carry). 

But all that aside, my wife and family care about my well being and especially my dear wife does worry when I'm in the bush (whether plying northern waters or on a mountain top some where).  So, the most significant reason I take a SPOT is for their piece of mind. 

My routine is much like some of those already expressed.  When dinner time rolls around, I'll take the SPOT to the edge of the campsite and engage the "OK" button, check to make sure that the unit has engaged satellites (usually takes 3 for a lat/long reference), and walk away.  I return after dinner is completed to retrieve the unit and pack it away for the next day.

What is not so nice is on that cold, windy, rainy night when you are already tucked warmly into your tent only to remember that you forgot to sent the nightly signal.  NOW, THAT SUCKS!

dd

For Petes sake......lets take up a collection. Just get one......they are certainly cheap enough right now. I think I payed almost double that price. Besides you will find more uses for it than you might imagine. I'm taking mine into the backcountrys behind tuesday to try and catch a few wee little fishes. You might be vacationing in Italy and get abducted by international jewel thieves........little did they know that under your hat......taped to your scalp........ was an emergency beacon!

While we are on the subject I suggest you wear your SPOT on your person always. It is small and light and has a holder that slips right on your belt. and like a PFD if you don't have it on you it might not do you any good. Boats gone.......bag where you stored it got carried off........whatever.

DentonDoc wrote on Mar 17^th, 2012 at 3:27pm:


Hey dd
Need a valet? You know, a man in waiting who could take care of your clothes and personal appearance. Are you bald? Can we tape the SPOT to the top of your noogin. What is your selection of hats? Do you have a cane? Do you smoke cigars? Are you prone to verbal abuse? Do you drink before 10 A.M.? These are questions I would need answered before I take the position.

Send pic of my accommodations.

Faithfully yours, in service to King and country
MT

intrepid_camper wrote on Mar 17^th, 2012 at 9:16pm:


You know, with all that pink crap that I carry, my rescuers shouldn't have all that hard a time finding me AFTER I am overdue but BEFORE my plentiful fat cells run out.

With all the stuff (pink & otherwise) I already haul around, the SPOT might just be that last straw that breaks THIS camel's (sciatic-riddled) back.

Maybe if I could find a SPOT in pink....

Jimbo   

Well you certainly have a point Westwood. It could also run out of juice as well. I suppose one would need to make it clear what is expected should that situation arise. On the plus side they would at least have your last location.

The Spot is supposed to be waterproof to 3 meters. Interesting now that I think about it.........I never checked mine out after my 10 minute dunking in Lake Superior where it stayed submerged. I'll check it out and see if I have corroded batteries and report back (of course I will  )