Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Joined: 08/18/2005
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There have been several threads about PLBs or other emergency beacons, but I have a question about those that don't choose to use one.
I've chosen no to carry a beacon since we do travel with two adults and a teenager so we should have someone to go for help in an emergency.
We do contact a relative and let them know where we will be and when we should contact them again. Usually I talk to my sister with frequent updates as we travel through civilization and back into the boonies. I'll text her with where we are, where we are going and when we expect to be contacting her again.
My question is who should she contact if we don't check in? Given that we could be 2000 miles away, I don't think the local police could do much. Is there some way to essentially dial 911 for someplace 1/2 way across the country?
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fatmanobx
Russellville, Ar. Home Base
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Joined: 12/27/2004
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I don't know about everywhere, but here you could call the Sheriffs Office and they could send a message to what ever county you are in as a "welfare concern" and have them check...I know we use to do it in the "old days"...
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Camorhino
Bakersfield, CA
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If you are staying on Forest Service land, just google the forest name and it should have the ranger unit office phone numbers for the one closest to where you are camping. That's the one thing that the SPOT locator has on a cell phone. According to their info, they will contact the closest 911 responder for you, and it is satellite, as opposed to cell phone towers. www.findmespot.com
Never have had to use mine, but it is always with me, and you can push the "I'm Okay" button every once in awhile, and the contacts you hasve entered on your info will be sent a text or email, with your GPS location noted on google earth. Cheap check-in and you don't need cell service.
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Artum Snowbird
Campbell River, B.C., Canada
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Joined: 05/28/2004
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Or you could teach her how to post right here on RV.Net and as long as she has pretty good details of your intended pathway, and what you look like, there would likely be someone nearby to have a look for you.
Mike and Carole
2007 Snowbird 9'6" Super Slide
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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If she doesn't know where you are I'd have her call your cell number. I assume it would be with you wherever you go. If YOU are unable to answer then one of the other folks with you should be able to. If you use ICE in your personal directory and something tragic happens to all of you then those who find you can find the ICE number and contact her.
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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fatmanobx wrote:I don't know about everywhere, but here you could call the Sheriffs Office and they could send a message to what ever county you are in as a "welfare concern" and have them check...I know we use to do it in the "old days"...
Thanks. I presume you're a retired LEO or other emergency person? Is it easy to contact the right people a long ways away at night or on a weekend? If so then the local people may be the right people after all.
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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skipnchar wrote:If she doesn't know where you are I'd have her call your cell number. I assume it would be with you wherever you go. If YOU are unable to answer then one of the other folks with you should be able to.
Yes and yes on the protocol. The issue is what she should do if she can't contact me. If I'm stuck or have a mechanical breakdown, I want someone to come looking for me if I don't return when expected. It helps a whole lot if search and rescue know where to start.
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Artum Snowbird wrote:Or you could teach her how to post right here on RV.Net and as long as she has pretty good details of your intended pathway, and what you look like, there would likely be someone nearby to have a look for you.
I hadn't even thought of that angle! Thanks for the suggestion.
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chuggs
Florida
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We used to sketch out our itinerary and drop it off at the local Forest Ranger's Post. In addition to our itinerary, our emergency contact numbers, etc... When the outing was over we dropped by to make sure they knew we were leaving and okay. If we didn't show up for that --- they would know who to contact in their area to initiate a search and rescue effort.
Flight Plan, Float Plan, or Hiking Plan...they're all just ways to make sure that you're not out there stranded forever, with absolutely nobody to come looking for you if you turn up over due.
If you have phone coverage, with a smart phone...you can use something like Google Footprints to keep a loved one posted on your location. Of course you'd have to carry a solar panel, or external battery along to have any longevity on the phone use.
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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Since this is a boondocking forum - and I don't mean a Wal mart parking lot - don't become over confident in being able to call on your cell phone. In Colorado there are many mountain areas that do not have cell phone reception.
Some of these areas can be as close to towns, major highways, etc. as 10 miles but no cell service. Here is an example that some of you might recognize. The west side of Loveland Pass near I-70. You can get cell reception on the east side, up to the top of the pass, from the I-70 area. It is 8 miles from the top of the pass to the Keystone Resort area. For at least 6 miles there is no cell service.
The local sheriff in Colorado is usually the contact for SAR - Search and Rescue - missions. Many of the old mountain passes change counties at the summit. So often searches involve a couple of sheriff departments.
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