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Solo Tripping Safety - Communication Devices
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 While solo tripping may be riskier than group travel, technological advancements now allow soloists to stay in touch with loved ones, give accurate co-ordinates of their location, and initiate a rescue…. all from the palm of their hands.
In the past, trippers had no failsafe to ensure they’d make it out okay. They simply told someone when they thought they’d finish the trip and aimed for that date. More often than not, a trip was done when you got there! If you or a member of your group fell ill or became injured, you simply had to figure it out.
While the tripping experience of today is relatively unchanged, solo trippers now have a few options for communicating with the outside world. It’s now common practice to contact outfitters, arrange shuttles, and change itineraries while on the water. Two-way communication via Satellite Phones, and one way communication in the form of PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), and Personal Satellite Messengers such as the SPOT, enable today’s tripper to stay “connected” even though they may be 200 KM from the nearest town. As skill level, remoteness and trip difficulty vary greatly, the communication device of choice should be tailored to these variables. Let’s explore the different devices to help select which one is right for you.
Satellite Phone: Offering the most versatility, Satellite Phones enable the tripper to communicate directly with outfitters, family, search and rescue, medical professionals etc… This “two-way” communication can be indispensable in many situations. Today’s Satellite phones offer crisp, clear reception and usually locate the appropriate satellite signal within 30 seconds of powering up the unit. For trippers that find themselves deep in the backcountry in extremely remote areas, or on trips with complicated logistics that require scheduled shuttling or transportation, Satellite Phones are the best option. The flexibility offered simply isn’t available in any other device. In addition to being able to contact anyone at anytime, you’ll also have the option of someone back home calling you. An important consideration for those that have support teams that can calculate route changes and get back to you when the problem is solved. A final advantage is the ability to send and receive email messages. This option allows you to communicate with the outside world without the need to actually place a call. If battery power is a concern, this option can be a lifesaver. New messages should automatically appear once the unit is powered on and a signal achieved.
Of course, all this versatility and convenience comes at a cost. Both financially and in weight. Satellite phones aren’t cheap. While they have come down in price over the years, you’re still looking at $ 1200-$1600 for a quality unit and carrying case. Optional accessories will drive this price higher should they be required. Items such as spare batteries, and laptop kits are essential for some trippers. Quality hard cases such as those manufactured by Pelican or Otterbox should be purchased to protect your phone from rain, rocks and the general day-to-day bumps and bruises that are part of the tripping experience. Don’t be cheap on the case….that’s your lifeline you’re carrying with you!
Satellite phones can also add significant weight to your kit. Budget for at least an extra 5 pounds if you’re carrying a phone, spare battery and hard case.
If you’re planning on tripping for an extended period of time…say longer that 2 weeks, it’s always advisable to carry a spare battery(s). Batteries have been known to spontaneously lose their charge so a little extra weight and expense is a welcome trade-off for peace of mind.
If you’re planning on using the phone frequently, a solar charging system may be a good idea. Today’s solar products are quite small offering a lot of power for their size. Models can range from “roll-up” mats, to small magnesium units with “solar wings”. Brunton and Solio are two manufacturers offering reliable charging systems.
For more information on Satellite Phones, contact Iridium, or Globalstar
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 Personal Satellite Messengers: A relatively new technology, these units offer reliable and economical one way communication for trippers. With a Satellite Messenger, you’ll have the ability to report your location, inform family and friends back home you may be in trouble, and initiate an extraction via search and rescue should you find yourself in serious trouble. So how do these units achieve this? Trippers that carry these units have three (3) options available to them at all times.
For the unit to function correctly, you must register it online and spend some time filling out important contact and help information. During this process, you can fill in email address of friends, family or support members you wish to be aware your location and status. Once completed (usually 30 minutes), you’re all set to use the unit.
OK Function: Pressing the “OK” button will send an email(s) to the addresses you setup when registering the device. The content of this message can be edited at any time by accessing your control panel online. The purpose of the message is to let contacts know where you are and that you’re okay.
Help Function: Similar to the “OK” function, pressing the “Help” button will send your pre-scripted and fully customizable message to those recipients you’ve setup in your control panel. Many trippers use this function to inform those back home that they’re plans have changed, but they’re okay, or that they’re okay but need to be extracted.
911 Function: Should you find yourself injured, lost or ill and in need of extraction, pressing this function will inform authorities of your exact location. It also informs them of who you are and any allergies you may have. Once they have determined it to be a true emergency, search and rescue will be dispatched to your location. It’s important to understand that this function is to be used only for emergencies and may result in a hefty bill once the extraction has been completed.
The above functions aside, these units really shine in allowing both the message recipients and the public (if you choose this option in the control panel), to view your exact location on a Google Maps tool. The ability to leave a bread crumb trail of where you’ve been is a major selling feature of these units, and enables trippers to easily plan future trips to the same areas.
The versatility of the three (3) message options, and the relatively low price of the unit ($149 - $169), makes them very popular with casual paddlers that don’t travel through extremely remote areas. However, because communication is only one way (you can’t receive any messages), it is limiting. It’s also important to note the yearly activation fee of $ 99 for each unit. Rescue insurance is also available at the time of purchase.
While there are many benefits to these units, performance can be diminished depending on the conditions and terrain. Like Satellite Phones, these units need a clear view of the sky to be 100% effective. Messages can be delayed if being sent from areas with thick forest cover, mountains etc…
To learn more about Personal Satellite Messengers, contact SPOT
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 Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s): The longstanding choice of adventurers that travel in extremely remote regions, or on trips with a severe degree of difficulty and danger, PLB’s have been credited with saving dozens of lives. PLB’s offer one-way communication similar to that of Personal Satellite Messengers, albeit on a completely different scale.
Unlike Personal Satellite Messengers, PLB’s will work no matter where you find yourself in trouble. They will continually broadcast a distress signal even if you’re in the water, deep in the forest or huddled in a cave on the side of a mountain. Instead of sending a signal via satellite, PLB’s broadcast their signal at 406 MHz, a frequency that’s constantly monitored by Search and Rescue. Therefore, PLB’s are the most reliable electronic communication device you can carry.
Upon purchasing a PLB, the owner is required to register with their Federal Search and Rescue organization. Each unit is uniquely coded to ensure that in the event of an emergency, SAR knows exactly who you are and any illness’ or allergies you may have. Some of the newer models also feature GPS receivers to further narrow down your exact location
All PLB’s are completely weatherproof with the electronics contained in a “military grade” plastic housing. These units are tough!
So why are these units so attractive to serious trippers? Well, should you find yourself in a life or death situation, setting the unit off will almost always guarantee a quick extraction. Coupled with the units absolute ruggedness and simple operation, it’s easy to see the attraction. No extra batteries to carry, no bulky case, no waiting for signal acquisition, and no wondering if the message was sent. Bottom line….these units will save your life.
So why aren’t they popular with the mainstream? Well, the units are pricey, usually starting around $ 500 and they can only be used once (of course your life is worth the money right?). Typically the encased batteries have a shelf life of 7 years and must be replaced by a licensed repair facility resulting in an additional hefty expense.
Still the simplicity of the unit, and the rescue infrastructure in place make them the best choice for a lightweight and effective rescue device especially on long, remote trips.
By now you’re probably wondering what device best suits your needs.? Well the answer all depends on where you travel, the time of year and your skill and comfort levels. One thing’s for sure……Trippers should carry at least one of the above units and be well versed in how they operate.
As a final word, those that travel exclusively in remote areas should consider carrying a Satellite Phone as well as either a PLB or Personal Satellite Messenger. Keep the latter in your Ditch Kit. If for whatever reason you lose all your gear, you’ll still have the unit in your kit to aid in extraction.
To learn more about PLB's, contact ACR Electronics
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