GPS/Satellite safety devices and satellite phone.

[cessna]

Do any of you that work alone or as a group in deep valleys where there is "NO PHONE SIGNAL" , have a GPS/Satellite safety device,or even satellite phone to call emergency services if you have an accident. If so I would like to know what you have,it is one of those situations where you have equipment but hopefully you never have to use it. Please, sensible answers only as this is a serious situation. I did not really know which forum subject I should have posted this at,so please suggest otherwise.

[Arborist]

Don't really work in remote areas but are you aware that if you ring 112 on your mobile it will jump to a network provider with signal.

[bolthole]

The 112 thing is really good, but if this is a big issue for you then a Satellite telephone is a decent solution.

 

The handsets are about the same price as an iPhone and you can get PAYG SIMs. I've seen a basic handset for about £300 on Amazon.

 

We've always used very Basic Thuraya handsets at work and these are fine; they have a built in GPS and the facility to text your position. You can usually run them on both Satellite and GSM (normal mobile 'phone networks) without two SIMs.

 

It's worth noting that they can take a while to find the satellite if you aren't in open ground but if there is NO network at all they will get you out of trouble. They're not tied to whatever country you're in.

 

In the event of a serious chainsaw/forestry related accident they are not 100% guaranteed to work if you find yourself pinned down or spurting blood from a wound so they'd not be a valid excuse to undertake lone working...

 

Hope that helps!

[bolthole]

This looks good;

 

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delorme-AG-009871-201-DeLorme-inReach-SE/dp/tech-data/B00BX7TJ2O/ref=de_a_smtd[/ame]

[cessna]

I think I will do some research into the Acrartex 406 Personal Locator Beacon, as that might be the way to go. What ever one uses tree canopy always going to reduce effectiveness of signal.