Off Road safety

[Abbypathy]

I am getting more and more into finding those trails that no one else takes. Miles away from any one else. No cellular reception. You know the rest.

 

My point is before you head out into the great out doors just stop for a moment and ask what would you do if something happened. It could be a mechanical break down, or you could break a leg or who knows what else.

 

What would you do?

 

 

I carry with me lots of tools, recovery straps, come-a-longs. For personal safety I have sleeping bags, tarps, extra clothes.

 

 

I also just bought a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). This is my "worse case" help. It works with satelites. So the idea is once activated it beams a signal to a satelite (not private) a government one. Which then automatically get sent to SAR Headquarters in Toronto with my GPS coordinates. Based on my location it then gets sent to my local SAR coordination center (for me it is Comox BC. Canadian Forces SAR), They then start the logistic of helping me. Contacting RCMP my local civil SAR and what ever else is needed. Depending on many things. Help could on the road within a half an hour of me pushing the button. I paid 250.00 CAD but there is no subscription. Battery apparently last about 5 yrs. Its the same idea as a aircraft ELT. Except you have to push the button.

 

 

In addition I also carry a scanner, GPS, First AId, hunting knife, matches.

 

I would hate to know of any of you all really not being prepared and having a bad situation turn worse.

 

So just think about it. How prepared are you when it happens?

[NissanNismoZ]

I'm not really a hard-core off-roader..but..tools, cell phone, GPS, water and an extra vehicle are what usually goes with me.. once again, im by no means an extreme off-roader..

[sewebster]

Sounds like a good idea. Just try not to push that button unless you really have no choice. Lots of stories out there about people abusing the system. I know a bunch of people with the commercial, privately operated SPOT system, which has the ability to let people at home watch where you are. Handy if you leave a family behind on the weekend. But perhaps not quite as good just as a beacon.

[silverton]

I never go wheeling alone. And most cell phones these days, even when it shows no service, can still make emergency phone calls.

[JamesRich]

Then there is always this if you have an iphone. Spot connect

[rgallant]

No cellphone service of any kind when I get out in the bush. As per the OP I carry food, water, sleeping bags, first aid kit and Good hiking boots as well.

 

The big one is making sure some knows the area you will be in and not going wandering off somewhere totally different. In my case 2 copies the backroads maps book with my primary route marked, one it the truck on at the house. Have a return time and keep to it.

 

I tend to travel long distances 60+ miles out of cell service and rarely see anyone else so trip prep is important.

 

The Spots etc are good, just remember in some places in the PAC northwest they do not work, pretty sure the locator always does.

 

Last thing check you truck over the night before make sure it is in good running order. Last 2 trips out I jumped started one guy and helped a guy fix his flat spare, both at over 30 miles to the nearest help, getting into late evening.