Satellite Communicators: Connecting the Wilderness to the World

In the midst of an emergency while on a Grand Canyon rafting and rock-climbing trip last fall, Kevin Camp discovered first-hand the life-saving capabilities of satellite communicators. When a member of his party fell off a rockand sustained serious injuries, Camp used a DeLorme inReach to contact rescue personnel, coordinate a helicopter landing, and keep family and friends updated about the situation.

In the midst of an emergency while on a Grand Canyon rafting and rock-climbing trip last fall, Kevin Camp discovered first-hand the life-saving capabilities of satellite communicators.When a member of his party fell off a rock and sustained serious injuries, Camp used a DeLorme inReach to contact rescue personnel, coordinate a helicopterlanding, and keep family and friends updated about the situation."The inReach proved its superior emergency capabilities exquisitely," Camp told TechNewsWorld.DeLorme's inReach, launched in 2011, is a two-way satellite communicator that uses the Iridium satellite network to allow users to track their journeys, initiate SOS messages, post updates to social media, and send and receive texts. It can be used asa stand-alone unit to send predetermined texts or paired with a smartphone or tablet to send unique texts.That unique texting ability proved key, in fact, to coordinating the rescue effort in the Grand Canyon."With the inReach, I was able to text and continue doing other things, and when it had the split second to send a message, it did," Camp explained. "I found my placewith a decent signal on the hillsideduring the evacuation, and beyondthat point in the trip I could be floating down the river, and the inReach would send my message when it had reception."Connecting Explorers to CivilizationSatellite communicators have revolutionized the way that peopletravel and explore. They've given adventurers an affordable option to satellite phones, and since help is only a push of a button away, they offer a sense of security when people are in the backcountry and off the grid.In addition to inReach, there are a variety of other satellite communicators, including Globalstar's SPOT SatelliteGPSMessenger and BriarTek's Cerberus, each with its own particular capabilities and distinctive combination of features. All of these devices are marketed to a range of explorers, adventurers, travelers, and even aid workers in remote locations around the world."These devices are game changers,because you're using stuff you're already comfortable with," Joe Landa, owner ofBriarTektold TechNewsWorld. "The closer we can get to making it seamless, the more people can do it. I want people carrying and using these devices. We're a safety company. We make stuff to bring people home who want to get found."Globalstar SPOTThe ability of these devices to track journeys and send updates tofriends and family has fundamentally changed the way people travel and communicate about their travels."It give people peace of mind, knowing that they can check in with friends and family," Greg Wilkinson, a distribution manager withGlobalstarsaid of the SPOT. "Ihear from hikers, horseback riders, and skiers that it's a great way of checking in with people at home, letting them know they're OK without having to phone. It allows them to share the adventure. When they get to an interesting spot they can hit the OK button. Friends and family can see they're on a great beach in theCaribbean, or on a mountain in theRockies."If something does go wrong, they can summon help by sending messages to emergency contacts or, in the case of inReach or SPOT, by pressing the SOS button to alertthe GEOS search and rescue network. The GPS-enabled devices can then lead rescuers directly to the person in need."It gives people the peace of mindto go into the great outdoors, knowing that if something does happen, they can summon help," Wilkinson told TechNewsWorld.No Substitute for PlanningBriarTek CerberLinkNo matter how many bells and whistles they have, however, thesedevices can't replace good planning and intelligent actions when in potentially dangerous situations. The wilderness, after all, isn't any less wild because of the presence of satellite communicators."I do the same things I was doing before I had the inReach in my life," said Camp. "I do not feel any safer in the back country with the device, as it is not a substitute for coherent sound decision-making, observation, experience, and risk assessment."When used wisely, though, they can provide peace of mind and a safety net for those who like to venture beyond the limits of civilization -- not to mention cell phone coverage."I use the inReach in all my adventures and expeditions," explorerEric Larsentold TechNewsWorld."For me, it is a multifaceted tool that allows me to interact with others while being responsible about safety," he explained. "I've used the inReach on climbing trips,day hikes, canoe trips, foreign travel and recently a first-ever bicycle expedition in Antarctica. I have it on so many trips because itis useful in most situations."Freelance writerVivian Wagnerhaswide-ranging interests, from technology and business to music and motorcycles. She writes features regularly for ECT News Network, and her work has also appeared inAmerican Profile,Bluegrass Unlimited, and many other publications. For more abouther, visit herwebsite.000NewPrint VersionE-Mail ArticleReprintsMore by Vivian WagnerTalkback:Be the first to comment on this story.Next Article in Mobile TechApple Opens Its Arms to Self-Publishing E-Book AuthorsFebruary 06, 2013Apple is going after the self-publishing crowd in an effort to loosen Amazon's grip on the e-book market, but it has some catching up to do. For people already at home in the Apple ecosystem, Breakout Books will no doubt be a welcome addition to iTunes, but its catalog pales in comparison to Amazon's. Apple has promised to add more emerging authors to the mix.Related StoriesDoJ Tosses Monkey Wrench Into Sprint-Softbank Merger PlansJanuary 30, 2013National security concerns may put the kibosh on Sprint's hopes to conclude an acquisition deal with Softbank. 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