PLB Requirement « WaterTribe Forums

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PLB Requirement

(12 posts) (9 voices)

Started 1 year ago by PeesInBilgePump
Latest reply from PeesInBilgePump

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PeesInBilgePump
Member

Hi all. In search of a good evening read, I decided to read; "Required Equipment" on our WaterTribe webpage. It is quite riveting.

I noticed a PLB is required equipment for all WaterTribe events. This is news to me since I last entered the 2010 NCUM.

A PLB really isn’t a practical purchase for me. I have a Spot 2, GPS, phone, flares, etc…. and paddle in relatively safe waters. I understand the need for a PLB in a higher risk environment such as a WaterTribe event, but I can’t justify purchasing one for how infrequently I would participate in a WaterTribe race.

Are there any companies that would rent a PLB? I would like to register for the 2012 NCC-100.

Regards,

Rob

Posted 1 year ago #
Macatawa
Member

first hit on a google search:

http://www.plbrentals.com/

It looks there there are several others too...

Posted 1 year ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

You might need that PLB when you least expect it. That benign day on the water can turn ugly in a heartbeat.

Posted 1 year ago #
PeesInBilgePump
Member

Thanks Macatawa, I guess I could have tried Google first huh? That would have been faster.

What is the WaterTribe norm; do most rent or own a PLB?

Rob

Posted 1 year ago #
Wyvern
Member

They are not really very expensive and there is no on going cost. I think they are very affordable.

Posted 1 year ago #
KiwiBird
Member

It's really up to you, Rob, whether you buy or rent. Either way, if you want to do WT, it's now compulsory. My theory is, why not buy? Since they've become relatively affordable (cf. your life), and you paddle perhaps solo every now and then, or anywhere else you may be out of hollering distance, and perhaps you even drive a bit of off-the-beaten-track road or highway systems, you may decide it's a good idea to carry one. I always carry mine, even if it's just for a few hours or less on the local training lake (it's attached to my PFD, so no choice); and I also carry it when on the occasional road trip. You never know...

And ask SandyBottom--she recently came to the conclusion that after so many years of renting one, she could have bought it.

KB

Posted 1 year ago #
SandyBottom
Member

I rented so often I could have bought two, and did. Both SOS and I carried our own new PLBs in our PFDs during UFC. I've never done an EC without one, I just don't trust the SPOT for my safety, but it's great for the family.

Dawn

Posted 1 year ago #
PeesInBilgePump
Member

I see the PLB as being redundant to my Spot2. Perhaps I have too much faith in my Spot2? I've never had a failure with it and it acts as a PLB. Am I missing something here?

Posted 1 year ago #
DancesWithSandyBottom
Member

Opinion:

As the on-shore contact person during many EC / UFC / NCC adventure races, I know the real-time SPOT tracking system is essential for the mental well-being of the family members.   Challengers don't always fully realize the anxiety and burden their families experience. SPOT tracking has been a tremendously helpful improvement.

As a challenger in class 4 (two ECs and two NCCs), I view the SPOT device mounted on the boat as being "the boat's PLB" while the ResQlink device on my PFD is "my PLB".   For WaterTribe events, a PLB on each PFD is ideal.

Yes there is indeed some SPOT-PLB redundency there, but I believe it is a desirable redundency as safety is all about wise redundencies:  e.g., I can swim and the boat is unsinkable but I wear a PFD anyway. The PFD is deemed cost-effective.

I've never experienced a malfunction of a SPOT device, but nevertheless I believe the PLB system is the more reliable system.

--Paul

Posted 1 year ago #
DogPaddler
Member

PeesInBilgePump,

You do have too much faith in your Spot 2.

Read the prior threads on this subject and you'll see many on this forum have had problems with their Spots rendering them useless. The tracking feature is nice but the failure rate is not reassuring. A $200 PLB is a small price to pay especially if things go wrong. The Spot won't help you if it fails, the boat turtles, or you get separated from your boat.

Many years before we had these compact and relatively inexpensive safety devices, I suffered a rig separation and watched my windurfing board surf away from me in Gale conditions. Had to self rescue and swim to shore. NEVER had that happen ! Now I carry my PLB on the life jacket, and never say never...

The comments made earlier by WT veterans make perfect sense and I hope should sway your opinion.

Brad

Posted 1 year ago #
rambler
Member

In my previous profession we had a rule we lived by when planning operations. Two is one and one is none.

Posted 1 year ago #
PeesInBilgePump
Member

Thank for your comments everyone. Yes, the PLB prices have come down and it does make sense to have it fastened on your life vest whereas the spot typically is secured to the kayak.

Rob

Posted 1 year ago #

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