http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880710124
Interesting article in the Citizen Times today about another SPOT save. Good news, sounds like the hiker will be well. The article raises a question about people using distress alerting devices with a “panic-button” mentality and calling out public safety resources unnecessarily, this seems very unlikely with the SPOT satellite messenger.
Here’s the quote we offered the author that didn’t make it into the article: ”SPOT offers a variety of messaging functions depending on the need of the subscriber. The Help message enables SPOT users to ask for non-emergency assistance and eliminates the potential of notifying emergency rescue in a panic, said Derek Moore, Public Relations for SPOT LLC. “People should always be educated and prepared when spending time in the outdoors. The SPOT 9-1-1 function offers a back-up when there is an unexpected emergency situation, and as we all know, things happen.”
Seems to us like the options with SPOT make it much less likely to cause a “panic-button” mentality than a Personal Locator Beacon which has only one option.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“The locator device that alerted rescuers to a lost hiker this week in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area is gaining in popularity among outdoors enthusiasts as one way to call for help in an emergency.
But rescue workers and wilderness survival experts also say the rise of affordable trackers using satellites could create a panic-button mentality that might lead to needless search operations.
Haywood County rescue officials wouldn’t say the exact nature of the 23-year-old hiker’s emergency, and he could not be reached Thursday.”
