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emergency_signal_devices [2024/08/20 15:32] preavley |
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| <WRAP center round important 70%>\\ | <WRAP center round important 70%>\\ | ||
| - | [[https://www.sail-world.com/Australia/When-sailors-turn-rescuers-a-second-chance-for-kayaker/-86385?source=google|Guy Wilding's Broken Paddle 2011 Oahu]] take communication and signaling devices, you may not be as lucky as Guy was.\\ | + | [[:guy_wilding_rescue|Guy Wilding's Broken Paddle 2011 Oahu]] take communication and signaling devices, you may not be as lucky as Guy was.\\ |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| * [[https://www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how-to-call-mayday/|How to Call Mayday]] | * [[https://www.paddlinglight.com/articles/how-to-call-mayday/|How to Call Mayday]] | ||
| * **Test** how you are going to wear and use your radio. Make sure it is secure and easily accessible on the water. If you wear it on the front of your PFD make sure it does not interfere with your remounts | * **Test** how you are going to wear and use your radio. Make sure it is secure and easily accessible on the water. If you wear it on the front of your PFD make sure it does not interfere with your remounts | ||
| - | * [[:carry_vhf_radios|Discussion - Where to Carry VHF Radios 2016]] | + | * **Discussion** |
| + | * [[:carry_vhf_radios|Where to Carry VHF Radios 2016]] | ||
| + | * [[:carry_vhf_radios2#where_to_carry_radios_plbs|Where to Carry VHF or PLBs 2024]] | ||
| * **Clearing water** from the mic - some radios have a vibrate function/button that will vibrate the radio to help clear water that can interfere with the understandability of your voice via a wet mic. | * **Clearing water** from the mic - some radios have a vibrate function/button that will vibrate the radio to help clear water that can interfere with the understandability of your voice via a wet mic. | ||
| * **Practice** - can you effectively use it? | * **Practice** - can you effectively use it? | ||
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| * [[:vhf_radio_squelch|Don't keep squelch too high]] | * [[:vhf_radio_squelch|Don't keep squelch too high]] | ||
| * These radios can be used to call fellow paddlers independent of any local rescue entities that may be or may not be reachable via VHF. But they will be of little use to your paddling partners if you do not **turn yours on** at the beginning of your paddle outing. | * These radios can be used to call fellow paddlers independent of any local rescue entities that may be or may not be reachable via VHF. But they will be of little use to your paddling partners if you do not **turn yours on** at the beginning of your paddle outing. | ||
| + | * **If You Get Out of Trouble (you're out of danger and sure you are in good physical shape) BEFORE**** help gets to you, Call Them And LET THEM KNOW THEIR HELP IS NO LONGER NEEDED! **Otherwise people will keep searching for you! | ||
| * **Training** | * **Training** | ||
| * if you want to increase your competence and confidence in your ability to use your VHF, consider taking and completing a course. | * if you want to increase your competence and confidence in your ability to use your VHF, consider taking and completing a course. | ||
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| * **Registration** (getting MMSI numbers for handhelds in foreign countries seems sometimes a bit unclear or confusing on some websites. It may be that some foreign countries require a license for recreational paddlers just as they do for ship/boat owners with radios) | * **Registration** (getting MMSI numbers for handhelds in foreign countries seems sometimes a bit unclear or confusing on some websites. It may be that some foreign countries require a license for recreational paddlers just as they do for ship/boat owners with radios) | ||
| * Requires **MMSI** (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) a nine-digit number, to identify ship (and other maritime radio) stations and DSC radio equipment | * Requires **MMSI** (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) a nine-digit number, to identify ship (and other maritime radio) stations and DSC radio equipment | ||
| + | * **Australia **- [[https://www.amsa.gov.au/mmsi|MMSI and how to apply for one]] | ||
| * **Canadians - **can obtain MMSIs from [[https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/frequently-asked-questions|Industry Canada / Industrie Canada]] | * **Canadians - **can obtain MMSIs from [[https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/frequently-asked-questions|Industry Canada / Industrie Canada]] | ||
| * **Europe **The use of DSC (VHF Ch. 70) is in most countries restricted to coastal waters and DSC transmissions should not be made when navigating the inland waterways. | * **Europe **The use of DSC (VHF Ch. 70) is in most countries restricted to coastal waters and DSC transmissions should not be made when navigating the inland waterways. | ||
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| * **UK ** [[https://ofcomlive.my.site.com/licensingcomlogin|ofcom licensing]] create login and follow to option for registering MMSI for handheld radio? | * **UK ** [[https://ofcomlive.my.site.com/licensingcomlogin|ofcom licensing]] create login and follow to option for registering MMSI for handheld radio? | ||
| * **Sweden ** [[https://www.pts.se/sv/privat/radio/radiotillstand/maritim-radio/batradio-vhf/|PTS]] | * **Sweden ** [[https://www.pts.se/sv/privat/radio/radiotillstand/maritim-radio/batradio-vhf/|PTS]] | ||
| - | * **USA** If your plans include travels to foreign ports (including Mexico, the Bahamas, and, yes, Canada), you'll need to [[https://www.fcc.gov/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/ship-radio-stations|get a Ship Station license and MMSI from the FCC.]][[https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html|https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html]] Mariners not required to carry a marine radio (e.g. recreational boaters) and who remain in U.S. waters can obtain an MMSI through approved organizations such as [[http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/|BOAT US]] 1-800-563-1536 ($25), [[http://www.usps.org/php/mmsi/home.php|U.S. Power Squadron]] (free/donation), and [[http://www.shinemicro.com/AboutMMSI.asp|Shine Micro]] (free as far as we can tell). | + | * **New Zealand ** |
| + | * [[https://www.linz.govt.nz/sites/default/files/cust/hydro_almanac_ANTM-4C_202223.pdf|Coverage in New Zealand]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.boatingeducation.org.nz/marine-vhf-radio-call-signs/|Acquiring an MMSI #]] | ||
| + | * **South Africa** | ||
| + | * //[[https://recent-radio.co.za/how-to-obtain-an-mmsi-number/|recent radio]]// instructions to acquire MMSI | ||
| + | * **USA** If your plans include travels to foreign ports (including Mexico, the Bahamas, and, yes, Canada), you'll need to [[https://www.fcc.gov/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/ship-radio-stations|get a Ship Station license and MMSI from the FCC.]][[https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html|https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html]] Mariners not required to carry a marine radio (e.g. recreational boaters) and who remain in U.S. waters can obtain an MMSI through approved organizations such as [[http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/|BOAT US]] 1-800-563-1536 ($25), [[http://www.usps.org/php/mmsi/home.php|U.S. Power Squadron]] (free/donation), and [[http://www.shinemicro.com/AboutMMSI.asp|Shine Micro]] ($25 per MMSI for handhelds). | ||
| + | * <font inherit/inherit;;#e74c3c;;inherit>You can register an MMSI for a handheld radio without assigning it to a vessel (which would make perfect sense if you use your handheld with more than one boat), but some USA sites that provide MMSI #s do not make this obvious or even possible. Of the sources listed above, only Shine Micro seems to make it obvious how one can get an MMSI for a handheld that is not assigned to a specific vessel.</font> | ||
| * [[http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3136|ContinuousWave discussion of DSC Worth for Kayakers 2018]] | * [[http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3136|ContinuousWave discussion of DSC Worth for Kayakers 2018]] | ||
| * [[:dsc_test_calls|DSC Test Calls]] | * [[:dsc_test_calls|DSC Test Calls]] | ||
| * [[:vhf_us_canada|Using in US AND Canada]] | * [[:vhf_us_canada|Using in US AND Canada]] | ||
| * **Rescue Stories** | * **Rescue Stories** | ||
| - | * [[:stories:unexpected_consequences|Discussion of Use During Incident 2014]] | + | * [[:stories:unexpected_consequences|DSC Use During Incident Seattle (Shilshole to Edmonds paddle) 2014]] |
| - | * [[:stories:coastguard_rescue_12_11_2022|12/11/2022 Rescue Using DSC]] | + | * [[:stories:coastguard_rescue_12_11_2022|12/11/2022 Bellingham Bay Rescue Using DSC]] |
| ==== Maintenance ==== | ==== Maintenance ==== | ||
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| * rinse them off with fresh water afterwards if they got wet during your paddle | * rinse them off with fresh water afterwards if they got wet during your paddle | ||
| * some use "[[https://www.amazon.com/Salt-Away-Salt-Remover-Spray-Fl/dp/B003HFZ5PA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8|Salt Away]]" to remove recent salt stains and protect against further accumulation. But don't expect it to remove long standing salt deposits/rust | * some use "[[https://www.amazon.com/Salt-Away-Salt-Remover-Spray-Fl/dp/B003HFZ5PA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8|Salt Away]]" to remove recent salt stains and protect against further accumulation. But don't expect it to remove long standing salt deposits/rust | ||
| - | * some use vasoline to protect against corrosion - don't use on charging/conducting elements (use dielectric grease instead if you go this route) | + | * corrosion - use dielectric grease on charging/conducting elements |
| - | * [[:vhf_corrosion|VHF Corrosion Discussion]] | + | * [[:vhf_corrosion|VHF]][[:vhf_corrosion| Corrosion Discussion]] |
| - | * **"Waterproofness"** - the weak point on some VHF radios can be the covering over charge ports (make sure they are completely closed and if you need to - cover the closure with tape). Trouble has been reported with some models that have a cover (possibly due to forgetting to make sure the cover is on correctly). Some models like the Horizon HX40 have solid exposed pins for charging which may provide a more reliable water tight seal. | + | * **Galvanic ****Corrosion** |
| + | * Periodically you may notice that your battery will not charge, or your radio will not turn on even though you know you have a charged battery (tested in a separate radio?). | ||
| + | * **Not Charging** - remove galvanic corrosion from conducting points in charger and radio then apply dielectric grease on those conducting points | ||
| + | * **Radio Won't Turn On **- remove galvanic corrosion - both on battery contacts and radio battery compartment contacts, once radio is working again apply dielectric grease on conducting points in radio and on battery | ||
| + | * **Removing Corrosion** you can abrade the contact points or clean them either with baking soda or vinegar (there a multiple youtube videos on this) //But abrading//// the contact points repeatedly over a long period of time may reduce the strength and reliability of contact, so ultimately using dielectric grease is the better long term solution as soon as you have contacts that are working// | ||
| + | * **"Waterproofness"** - the weak point on some VHF radios can be the covering over charge ports (make sure they are completely closed and if you need to - cover the closure with tape). Trouble has been reported with some models that have a cover (possibly due to forgetting to make sure the cover is on correctly). Some models like the Horizon HX40 have solid exposed pins for charging which may provide a more reliable water tight seal but is still subject to corrosion. | ||
| * See [[:waterproof_ratings|Electronics water resistance ratings]] | * See [[:waterproof_ratings|Electronics water resistance ratings]] | ||
| - | * Sealed charging pins will lose their connection over time for charging due to corrosion on the radio pins and/or the connections in the charging cradle. You can restore good connections by rubbing the connectors with a fine abrasive. Eventually you may not be able to restore the charging via the cradle. Cradle replacements can be expensive but **another alternative** is to use the rechargeable battery pack that some manufacturers like Horizon include with your radio. Typically the AAA batteries you use in such a pack will not hold as much charge as the original single battery, but you should easily be able to keep fully charged batteries of this type ready to go with your radio. | + | * Sealed charging pins will lose their connection over time for charging due to corrosion on the radio pins and/or the connections in the charging cradle. See Galvanic Corrosion in section above. Cradle replacements can be expensive but **another alternative** is to use the rechargeable battery pack that some manufacturers like Horizon include with your radio. Typically the AAA batteries you use in such a pack will not hold as much charge as the original single battery, but you should easily be able to keep fully charged batteries of this type ready to go with your radio. Some boaters have solved this charging corrosion problem by **keeping an extra radio** that does not go in the water exclusively for charging their batteries. They pull the charged batteries from their charging radio and put them into their on-water use radio. |
| * **Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>**11/06/11 #11683 "I rinsed my IPX7 rated waterproof handheld after every paddle, and the two copper electrodes between the gasketed snap-in rechargeable battery pack and the main unit still fully corroded (they are spring loaded for a good connection, and the spring failed). Its something that you wouldn't normally notice until failure occurs; I had it serviced, and now keep the radio in a dry bag when in my pfd pocket. The dry bags can be purchased at West Marine. Handhelds are not really designed for daily immersion, but rather for boaters that occasionally get them wet…" | * **Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>**11/06/11 #11683 "I rinsed my IPX7 rated waterproof handheld after every paddle, and the two copper electrodes between the gasketed snap-in rechargeable battery pack and the main unit still fully corroded (they are spring loaded for a good connection, and the spring failed). Its something that you wouldn't normally notice until failure occurs; I had it serviced, and now keep the radio in a dry bag when in my pfd pocket. The dry bags can be purchased at West Marine. Handhelds are not really designed for daily immersion, but rather for boaters that occasionally get them wet…" | ||
| - | * **Followup 2012 \\ Caution: Toasted VHF Radio \\ Jeff Hegedus** \\ 10/14/12 #13446 GEAR CHECK TIME. Crap, my waterproof IPX7 rated VHF radio, always carried in a dry bag in my PFD pocket, was destroyed. The dry bag had a pin hole leak; I end each paddle with a swim, and the bag stored the unit in water. The bag was three years old and had a ton of wear, not its fault. The radio is not designed for continuous immersion, not its fault. Glad I checked. | + | * **Followup 2012 \\ |
| + | Caution: Toasted VHF Radio \\ | ||
| + | Jeff Hegedus** 10/14/12 #13446 GEAR CHECK TIME. Crap, my waterproof IPX7 rated VHF radio, always carried in a dry bag in my PFD pocket, was destroyed. The dry bag had a pin hole leak; I end each paddle with a swim, and the bag stored the unit in water. The bag was three years old and had a ton of wear, not its fault. The radio is not designed for continuous immersion, not its fault. Glad I checked. | ||
| ==== Brands ==== | ==== Brands ==== | ||
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| * [[https://www.seasofsolutions.com/products/fastfind-rls-plb/|FastFind]] (confirms the signal has been received by SAR authorities with a blue flashing light) | * [[https://www.seasofsolutions.com/products/fastfind-rls-plb/|FastFind]] (confirms the signal has been received by SAR authorities with a blue flashing light) | ||
| * [[https://www.nautiluslifeline.com/|Nautilus Lifeline]] | * [[https://www.nautiluslifeline.com/|Nautilus Lifeline]] | ||
| - | * [[https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1685/plb-to-the-rescue.html|Effective PLB Rescue 3/14/2019]] | + | * **Surfski Rescues w/ PLBs** |
| + | * [[https://www.acrartex.com/survivor-stories/stranded-at-sea-solo-surfski-adventure-turns-into-rescue-mission/|Brisbane Australia (Victoria Pt. - Wellington Pt.) Rescue 9/13/2024]] | ||
| + | * [[https://surfski.wiki/stories/maui_rescue_plb|Maui (Maliko Run) Rescue PLB 9/10.2020]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1685/plb-to-the-rescue.html|Scotland (Miro Run) PLB Rescue 3/14/2019]] | ||
| * [[:stories:plbs|Whatcom Paddler Discussion 12/15/2022]] | * [[:stories:plbs|Whatcom Paddler Discussion 12/15/2022]] | ||
| * **Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 **- needs to be programmed for the area where it will be used | * **Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 **- needs to be programmed for the area where it will be used | ||
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