[NatureNS] survival suits

From: ulli@dunlin.ca
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:08:58 -0300
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Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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Cost is the likely "excuse". Even if it is now a weak justification if it ever was one.

Most "cheap" and "small" beacons use GPS to determine their position but rely on cell phone 
networks to broadcast this information.  They cost a few 100s (i.e. MEC carries one for $300 
for backcountry activities), may require a subscription with a service provider, and use is 
therefore limited to "civilized" environments that provide required infrastructure.  

Some of the small GPS trackers used in wildlife studies need to be recovered to read out the 
data stored during use, or the researches have to get close to pick up the transmitted signal 
with radio receivers or via cell phone networks. 

Independend from local infrastructure, and therefore useful in the middle of nowhere- are 
beacons that transmit upon activation a radio signal -with or without location information, 
depends on the model- that can be used to triangulate position by search teams or is 
powerful enough to be picked up and relayed by satelites.  This technology was used in 
liferafts and airplanes for decades and is now a only a bit more expensive ($500-$1000) and 
only la ittle bit bulkier (like a VHF handheld marine radio) than the GPS beacons mentioned 
above.  Such EPIRBs (emergency position indicator radio beacon) have to be registered with 
authorities and need replacement every few years.  

I have to agree with you and wonder for some time why such widely and cheaply available 
personal safety equipment is not carried by folks that face the risk of getting into serious 
trouble, and think it should be even made mandatory for commercial operators. 
Better chances for the folks that get into trouble and better for S&R crews that can limit their 
own exposure to risky conditions.

Ulli

> Hi All, 
>  I was sorry tohear that theUS Coast Guard had abandoned it's search for the missing captain 
> of the HMS Bounty today after four days of searching. One of the reasons the search lasted as 
> long as it did was because the captain was wearing a survival suit. 
> 
>  I was wondering why survival suits don't have a GPS location device built into the suit? The size, 
> range and cost have now made these devices reliable and relatively cheap to use and they are 
> now commonly used for monitoring the elderlyand criminalsor even to track migrating birds. 
> Does anyone know why aGPS isn't standard equipment on a survival suit?
>  
>  Sorry if this is somewhat off the normal range of topics this site discusses. All the best.
>  
>  Fritz McEvoy 
>  Sunrise Valley, CB
> 


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