Kayak Fisherman From Austrailia Passes away makes me rethink my own safety.

That's a worthwhile discussion, the PLB vs satellite messenger. I wasn't happy to see the automatic charge on my credit card the last time my SPOT subscription was up, and I'm feeling wary of it sneaking up again soon. Last time they managed to keep my business by giving me a rebate of $50 USD but I have no interest in repeating that process again. Will be researching those PLB brands later today, thanks alpalmer.

https://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-39703-Firefly-PRO-LED-Strobe-P4057.aspx?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8evKrsfh6QIV7D6tBh06uAz5EAYYASABEgIhnfD_BwE

I run with the HX870 VHF/GPS/DSC radio. If you don't know what DSC is I encourage all radio shoppers to go to the Coast Guard web pages and 'bone up' on what this extensive national network of rescue/receiver antennas can do with any DSC radio in range. In today's world you won't want to buy a VHF marine radio without it. This radio floats, has water activated SOS strobe light and each spring I turn it on and let it run down to low battery to insure I get over 12 hours of running in monitor mode with constant WX reports. Plus I have a spare battery.  But for kayak to kayak chatting I just use the dime store walkie talkies that work great, fit in a quart ziplock bag for waterproofing use, last 8-12 hours on the batteries during heavy use and are very cheap to replace. Save the VHF batteries for a real need.

Rescue Device. I was one of the very first SPOT Gen I owners from 2008. My legacy device has been used frequently and working perfectly for 12 years now and I'm only on the 2nd set of Lithium Energizer AA batteries. Sunday I went to 2 lakes 50 miles apart with my SPOT on 10 minute tracking and it missed only 4 hits out of 28 pings to the satellite. 3 of those were due to parking next to a sheer forested mountainside right next to a giant metal dumpster. I live in Alaska who many consider a 'fringe area' for SPOT dependability. Bull. I've used this all over AK as far as the Arctic Circle and its never missed a beat. I have a Gen III still sitting on the coffee table as a conversation piece because there is no need to upgrade to that device...yet...or maybe ever. (Last winter I tested my SPOT in the yard at -20°F with 4 year old batteries in it on 10 min tracking and it never missed a single ping during 1.5 hours. Its good to -40°F.)

I don't need two way texting with the inReach. Try that when in the water, kayak overturned in 3 foot whitecap seas, and bone-chilling numb fingers while trying to hang on for dear life. Don't kid yourself.

BTW, SPOT now has a feature on your account page that will allow you set up and engage in a "TEST S.O.S./911 Alert" procedure on your device to guarantee the unit is working even in the rescue signal mode which you never use unless its life and death. The command center recognizes the test and doesn't proceed with notifications.

Every time I see a boating or remote hiking tragedy in the newspaper I think if they had a satellite-oriented rescue device they would still be alive. I'll never be without my SPOT. $175/yr (Gen I rate) is cheap life insurance that only takes the press of a button.

I'm don't want to throw cold water on anyone's belief in these technological systems - I have a DSC radio myself - but at one AOTD tournament at Sunset Bay, I stayed with my niece. Her husband was in the CG, stationed at Charleston. He gave me a tour of the base and their boats. When I asked him about the communications equipment, and asked if could he find me if I hit the emergency button on my radio, he told me, "Nobody here really knows that stuff - we wait for the guys at the Air Station to tell us where to go." 

Granted, he was only an E3 at that point, and undoubtedly there were more competent Coasties at that station, but it again pointed out that rescue from a bad situation is never a guarantee. Good judgement is always your best safety tool.

Granted, he was only an E3 at that point, and undoubtedly there were more competent Coasties at that station, but it again pointed out that rescue from a bad situation is never a guarantee. Good judgement is always your best safety tool.

I definitely agree with your 'philosophy' of self preservation by utilizing good judgement as the first and foremost line of survival. Indeed, WE are the ones that put ourselves in jeopardy, or not. Even from the comment of the coastie, one must realize that all this technology is operating at the speed of radio waves and the "lag time" between the coast guard base relaying the details and coords to the response boat team is literally only a brief moment in time. So really the boat/ship just needs to take orders and follow directions....in a worst case scenario. 

The redundancy of my safety gear provides me a greater level of 'peace of mind' than putting all my eggs in one basket relying on a single device. Even my choice of bright yellow and bright pink 4 foot pool noodles inside my hull to use as a "location elevator" in high seas to be more visible to searchers is a carryover from my scuba days when an inflatable salami tube could be used to give me a signaling and location device if lost from the group or boat.

excellent discussion, really appreciate all who contributed. I did some research, watched a bunch of YouTube videos and just ordered an InReach Mini for $299, annual subscription is $143. 

Based on the features and what the Mini can do itself (SOS, share location, and send 'preset' messages/show replies) plus ability to Bluetooth with my smartphone for custom messages and some level of mapping, it matches well what I want when I am in the forest/beach/kayak/car and not getting a cell signal (which is often).

I don't need two way texting with the inReach. Try that when in the water, kayak overturned in 3 foot whitecap seas, and bone-chilling numb fingers while trying to hang on for dear life. Don't kid yourself.

There's no need to two way text in a S.O.S. emergency there's simply a button to press and the coordinates are sent and coordinated with emergency services. It's no different from your spot device in that regard, but spot can't easily message a buddy to ask to come pull you out of a ditch or if you run out of gas and need to communicate beyond "help" "okay" or "SOS". Either device is fantastic insurance, I guess it just depends on what features you want. The Inreach is a bit more expensive in initial cost, but monthly fee is pretty similar.

I don't need two way texting with the inReach. Try that when in the water, kayak overturned in 3 foot whitecap seas, and bone-chilling numb fingers while trying to hang on for dear life. Don't kid yourself.

There's no need to two way text in a S.O.S. emergency there's simply a button to press and the coordinates are sent and coordinated with emergency services. It's no different from your spot device in that regard, but spot can't easily message a buddy to ask to come pull you out of a ditch or if you run out of gas and need to communicate beyond "help" "okay" or "SOS". Either device is fantastic insurance, I guess it just depends on what features you want. The Inreach is a bit more expensive in initial cost, but monthly fee is pretty similar.

The Garmin instructions are that while not required, you can communicate after sending the SOS, letting GEOS know the nature of your emergency and allowing them to keep you updated.  I see this as a big advantage over the SPOT because not all emergencies are going to involve floating in freezing water.

From the InReach Mini Owners Manual:
------------------
SOS
During an emergency, you can contact the GEOS International Emergency Rescue Coordination Center (IERCC) to request help. Pressing the SOS button sends a message to the rescue coordination center, and they notify the appropriate emergency responders of your situation. You can communicate with the rescue coordination center during your emergency while you wait for help to arrive. You should only use the SOS function in a real emergency situation.

Initiating an SOS Rescue
1 Lift the protective cap from the SOS button .
2 Hold the SOS button.
3 Wait for the SOS countdown.  The device sends a default message to the emergency response service with details about your location.
4 Reply to the confirmation message from the emergency response service.
Your reply lets the emergency response service know that you are capable of interacting with them during the rescue. If you do not reply, the emergency response service will still initiate a rescue.
For the first 10 minutes of your rescue, an updated location is sent to the emergency response service every minute. To conserve battery power after the first 10 minutes, an updated location is sent every 10 minutes when moving, and every 30 minutes when stationary.

Sending a Custom SOS Message
After pressing the SOS button to initiate an SOS rescue, you can reply with a custom message using the SOS page.
1 Select Reply to compose a custom SOS message.
2 When you have finished your message, select > Send.
Your reply lets the emergency response service know that you are capable of interacting with them during the rescue.

I don't need two way texting with the inReach. Try that when in the water, kayak overturned in 3 foot whitecap seas, and bone-chilling numb fingers while trying to hang on for dear life. Don't kid yourself.

There's no need to two way text in a S.O.S. emergency there's simply a button to press and the coordinates are sent and coordinated with emergency services. It's no different from your spot device in that regard, but spot can't easily message a buddy to ask to come pull you out of a ditch or if you run out of gas and need to communicate beyond "help" "okay" or "SOS". Either device is fantastic insurance, I guess it just depends on what features you want. The Inreach is a bit more expensive in initial cost, but monthly fee is pretty similar.

Uh, yeah nah, again.

Spot has a road assistance program that will come get you anywhere, even off-road. That button is available for any other message if you don't sign up for that assistance service.

I had occasion to need it once, but since I was in town I didn't have the device with me (big mistake). Anyway, while waiting for a regular tow truck, I had ample time to ponder "If I had the SPOT with me, and pressed the Assistance button, how would I know they even got the request, or how long they expected before reaching me ?"

Having two-way so you can tell the roadside assistance that you ran out of gas, or have a flat, versus ended up in a ditch and need pulled out is mightly handy. As is messaging a buddy, or another, or another until you find one who responds and is on the way.

Not to mention hitting SOS and being able to tell them "I'm drifting out to sea" versus "I just had to shoot a dude" and have some idea that someone is coming. Which can make a lot of difference to your own mental state as you drift towards Hawaii.

Two-way is VERY helpful, and IMO necessary. To ME, anyway. One way is better than nothing, sure.

Spot has a road assistance program that will come get you anywhere, even off-road. That button is available for any other message if you don't sign up for that assistance service.

Wasn't aware of that feature, definitely good to know for others shopping! I was concerned about this with the inreach as well and when I contacted Garmin they let me know pressing the SOS button was an appropriate thing when needing a tow as well but asked that if possible you use the two way feature to let them know it's just a tow you need and not a true rescue. The lady I talked with said they regularly get "SOS" calls for breakdowns in the middle of nowhere and it's not a major issue. She even indicated that if you have the texting ability you could tell them to call AAA, include a member number and they would use AAA instead of a local provider, which is pretty cool if you use AAA.

Spot has a road assistance program that will come get you anywhere, even off-road. That button is available for any other message if you don't sign up for that assistance service.

Wasn't aware of that feature, definitely good to know for others shopping! I was concerned about this with the inreach as well and when I contacted Garmin they let me know pressing the SOS button was an appropriate thing when needing a tow as well but asked that if possible you use the two way feature to let them know it's just a tow you need and not a true rescue. The lady I talked with said they regularly get "SOS" calls for breakdowns in the middle of nowhere and it's not a major issue. She even indicated that if you have the texting ability you could tell them to call AAA, include a member number and they would use AAA instead of a local provider, which is pretty cool if you use AAA.

AAA won’t come up a logging road to pull you out or bring you gas. Neither will Good Sam roadside assistance. The service from SPOT supposedly does.


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I made a call to SPOT since my subscription is up in the coming month. The annual fee had gone down to $143 from the $224 I paid last July. I also pay Canadian dollars so add ~50% to your USD prices; that's my actual cost. $143 is worth staying on the annual plan for me and I'll revisit the subscription again in a year. Just wanted to report the annual fee for any interested.