Thread: Big thanks to the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Service and Team

I think PLB with communication capacity will be a great advance... I did have a choice of an EPIRB or InReach for this trip and have been considering the differences in the last couple of days.

No doubt if someone was in a life threatening situation requiring immediate assistance... an EPIRB complete with a homing device, that only requires to be activated, would be the most efficient way to go.

The Inreach mini I had, did have the SOS function which I did not use. As Moutere points out the location accuracy can be hit and miss... I was not aware of this until the last couple of days and this will influence my future decisions...

However the two way communication was also important. Being injured but not in a critical emergency situation, I was reluctant to hit the panic button until I had discussed my situation first and considered alternatives. I am not sure what message the NMRH received, my daughter mentioned to 111 that my status was not dire or life threatening... I wanted to convey the understanding that I was happy to take a number in a cue if there were other more pressing needs elsewhere.

Worth noting is the texting with an In Reach Mini is slow and Laborious... and you may not get a message out from under tree cover or in a gully... In an urgent emergency an EPIRB should be first call.... however the Inreach is still much much better than nothing as my experience has shown

So I guess next trip I will pack an Inreach and an EPIRB, as well as flysheet and ground mat.

Both ankle and entire calf are swollen and bruising is coming out. Ice packs, Nurofen, elevation and rest. Doctor on Tuesday for a check up... no improvements yet.