EPIRB or PLB Hot Potato

[cheaterparts]

a quick reminder ether a PLB or EPIRB needs to be registered with the AMSA and that is done in 2 year blocks --- just re regoed my EPIRB as 2 years is up since getting it and of cause registering it

for those getting ether beacon it is a simple process and is FREE - just as the re rego and updating info is simple to do --- the site is www.amsa.gov.au/beacons

[Babylon]

a quick reminder ether a PLB or EPIRB needs to be registered with the AMSA and that is done in 2 year blocks --- just re regoed my EPIRB as 2 years is up since getting it and of cause registering it

for those getting ether beacon it is a simple process and is FREE - just as the re rego and updating info is simple to do --- the site is http://www.amsa.gov.au/beacons

Registered mine this week(PLB) very easy Babylon

[maverick]

Direct from the Kayak Safety Meeting with the MSV in December is that an EPIRB will remain vertical in the water and the aerial will remain pointed in the correct direction. An average person can only physically hold a PLB with an aerial pointed vertically and out of the water for about 10 minutes. After that, the average person wont be able to hold a PLB aerial out of the water and the PLB becomes useless, so it doesn't matter how many hours the battery lasts.

Conversation was had that if PFD designs became Type 1 and had the capacity to hold a PLB vertically, then there could be a change to the legislation. To make a PFD type 1 still useable to a kayaker, suggestions were made about using a normal solid type 2 PFD and add an inflatable collar with a PLB mount on the shoulder. This would hold the PLB aerial out of the water.

I now have a PLB mount on the shoulder, so part way there.

[Babylon]

PLB inserted into a piece of pool noodle with a weight at the bottom will keep it upright also tethered to person.Cheers Babylon

[sawtell]

PLB inserted into a piece of pool noodle with a weight at the bottom will keep it upright also tethered to person.Cheers Babylon

It then quickly becomes the size of an epirb defeating the purpose?

[Babylon]

PLB inserted into a piece of pool noodle with a weight at the bottom will keep it upright also tethered to person.Cheers Babylon

It then quickly becomes the size of an epirb defeating the purpose?

If your on the water you don't have to worry about keeping upright if your on land you can hold upright in your hand best of both worlds on the cheap.

[laneends]

I now have a PLB mount on the shoulder, so part way there.

Ditto.

However you have it mounted it needs to be the default operating location. Adding bits to it to make it float upright is just another factor to make it not happen. Even ensuring it is kept above water is subject to failure.

[Babylon]

I now have a PLB mount on the shoulder, so part way there.

Ditto.

However you have it mounted it needs to be the default operating location. Adding bits to it to make it float upright is just another factor to make it not happen. Even ensuring it is kept above water is subject to failure.

All we can do is make the best of what we have hoping never having to us them .
What works for one doesn't necessary work for another.Cheers Babylon

[spider25160]

Conversation was had that if PFD designs became Type 1 and had the capacity to hold a PLB vertically, then there could be a change to the legislation. To make a PFD type 1 still useable to a kayaker, suggestions were made about using a normal solid type 2 PFD and add an inflatable collar with a PLB mount on the shoulder. This would hold the PLB aerial out of the water.

I now have a PLB mount on the shoulder, so part way there.

I wear a type 1 inflatable PFD with my EPIRB in a neoprene pouch on the webbing strap. Means that I have my EPIRB weather I am separated from the Yak or not. As it is one of the smaller varieties it is not a hindrance to normal fishing activities and neither is the PFD because it is inflatable.....So comfortable in fact that I often forget to take it off until I sit in the car.

[Yako]

I have mine attached to my (non inflatable) pfd on my shoulder so if I'm in the water it's above the water line (I've checked) If I'm face down nothing's going to help
If you get separated from your yak like the bloke off Wilsons Prom in Nov last year how does an Epitb help???