There was a discussion of SPOT vs Cell Phone on the PCT-l listserver, and I replied to it with a pointer to the above advisory.
Based on prior stories I have seen, part of my post was this:
Learn when NOT to use it, like sending a 911 or HELP request without knowing what it will cause. 911 will always cause a ranger or SAR team to try to find you. HELP usually just sets your family to worrying. MAKE SURE you communicate in advance what a HELP signal means.
Ken Powers replied with this message:
I read the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks web page about activating your Spot. One point I wish they would clarify:
"If you activate SOS/911 and it is safe to stay where you are, don't leave. It may be harder for rescuers to find you. Stopping the SOS/911 signal or activating the OK signal may not cancel a response, so stay in the areas where you activated the SOS/911 even if the emergency has passed."
Assume I send and SOS/911 then find the emergency has passed so I send an OK signal to cancel the SOS/911 signal. (Aside - I don't think emergency services will receive the OK message.) They say the signal MAY NOT cancel a response. They want me to stay in the area from where I sent the message. What if it does cancel the response and I stay in the area. So how long do I need to wait until I figure out that the OK message did cancel the response.
Just wondering.
Ken
I think the above is an interesting question.
And it also brings to mind a situation I believe George related: hikers on the JMT came to a water crossing where a hiker was stranded on a rock in the middle, and could not proceed or get to safety.
Other hikers used their SPOT and activated a 911 call. Another group came to the stranded hiker's aid, got him to safety.
In such a situation, if the 911 callers then press the OK button, that would imply to me there is no longer an emergency. Maybe a protocol could be developed for such a situation. I am hoping Ranger George might contribute here.
