Like anything else, relying on one form of technology is not ideal. Unfortunately we can be involved in all kinds of situations, so there is no single answer. Skiing/climbing/hiking by yourself, InReach is probably best. Yeah, you might be in a black hole, but hopefully satellites line up occasionally, still better then nothing. Two people a long way from nowhere? Still InReaach, but at least one person might find a cell signal with a short hike. If it is a long way out the decision to leave an injured person while going for help is a tough one. Multiple people, and cell coverage not too far away, then yeah, Cody going for help makes sense. Logic would say to set of a PLB, leave it with victim and go for help if stable enough.
The only rescue I was involved with was a couple SAR team members on a training trip got caught high on a peak at dark, got hyperthermic and needed extraction. A combination of radios, cellphones and short hikes for cell reception coordinated things very well. Given only one piece of technology, an InReaach would be my choice. They could have connected with SAR when hypothermic in the small hours of the morning to coordinate the helicopter at first light. The whole thing went well because we were all able to communicate well eve though weather shut down the rescue after one person was extracted. The other had to wait for improved weather and a bigger heli. Of course all of it could have been avoid if the SAR people stuck in the first place followed there own advice.
I agree it is a constitutional right for Americans to be assholes...its just too bad that so many take the opportunity...iscariot
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