brushogger
Explorer
Sounds like a very unusual survival strategy to me. Like Clint Eastwood said,"Dyin' ain't much of a livin' boy".
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Emaergency Survival Kit; Hoping For Your Comments
- Thread starter Karma
- Start date
Sounds like a very unusual survival strategy to me. Like Clint Eastwood said,"Dyin' ain't much of a livin' boy".
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Honu
lost on the mainland
WOW come here for advice and get some really good advice from good people with experience in what you are asking then tell us we are all not good planners
heheheheh sounds like you came here to try to put us all in our spot cause you seem to know all plan all and that will take care of it ! as long as its in nice weather and you use your vehicle for shelter for sure and your PLB works for sure
best of luck which you obviously don't need because you have a perfect plan !!!!
K2ZJ
Explorer
Karma, I hope you never need a rescue and never have to use your plb. Honestly I do. Here is an incident that occurred in 09. Jeepers, much like yourself, stalled in Kane Creek outside Moab Utah. They were trying to repair the stranded vehicle when they were interrupted by a flash flood that wrecked both Jeeps. The 2 families were lucky enough to have the sense and speed to run to safety. Because of their proximity to Moab and being a popular trail, they were rescued quite fast. They had just enough time to turn and run uphill.
I post this because the people here who have offered information, which so quickly shot down, did so to help you. You are very narrow minded about the situation you are going to possibly find yourself in. All of the examples were given to show you that it is most likely not going to be what you think. I hope for your sake you never need help, and if you do I hope it goes to your plan. But like everyone here who is beating the dead horse, myself included, you can't predict the future and should be prepared as possible for as many situations as possible.
Also save your breath and response, I know I am wrong like all the others. So to make you feel good, your best bet is to go with the plb, book, cigar and whiskey plan. Those make the most sense for the perfect rescue. Also, it should be added that the SAR team will all be bikini models! Good luck.
For everyone who reads this, please head the warnings of others. There is actual good info in this thread.
I post this because the people here who have offered information, which so quickly shot down, did so to help you. You are very narrow minded about the situation you are going to possibly find yourself in. All of the examples were given to show you that it is most likely not going to be what you think. I hope for your sake you never need help, and if you do I hope it goes to your plan. But like everyone here who is beating the dead horse, myself included, you can't predict the future and should be prepared as possible for as many situations as possible.
Also save your breath and response, I know I am wrong like all the others. So to make you feel good, your best bet is to go with the plb, book, cigar and whiskey plan. Those make the most sense for the perfect rescue. Also, it should be added that the SAR team will all be bikini models! Good luck.
For everyone who reads this, please head the warnings of others. There is actual good info in this thread.
HI rocket,
Actually, according to what I have read, all the beacon systems are different. I believe the PLB system is the best. It is the newest and the most technically advanced. PLB's are not new. I Googled PLB failures and got exactly zero contacts.
Yes, of course, my beacon is registered. It would be pretty silly to base a survival strategy on a PLB that was not registered. And, yes, I sometimes leave detailed trip info with friends but sometimes not. Usually, I just tell them that I'm on Jeep trip and I'm planning to back on such and such a day. It depends on where I'm going. Besides, I don't think it will make any difference for survival. Of course, for the contact system to work I must notify my contacts about the trip and the general area where I'm planning to be is not really necessary. I will be saved.
Rocket, you need to develop more confidence in technology :ylsmoke: You do understand that the GPS coordinates of my location are broadcast as part of the emergency alert transmission, right? Search and Rescue will know where I am. It's just a matter of them getting there.
I'm going to repeat this but somehow I don't think you are going to get it. My strategy is totally dependent upon the PLB. I know I will be found and rescued. I'm betting on the reliability of the system. Tell me, if you are 50 or 100 miles from any kind of help, can you think of a better bet?
Sparky?
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1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
your brain is the best and only bet in town
Even if there has never been a PLB failure that does not mean there could not be a failure...betting your life on that fact doesn't make sense.
Sparky I normally don't say things like this but there really isn't a need for you to come back to this thread as you have already made up your mind that there can be only 1 solution.
Even though the rest of us have given many examples of how your PLB plan can fail you, it just ins't sinking in.
However for the sake of anyone else who might read this I will once again lay out why you need a plan that covers the chance you might either not be able to press a button or the button might not work.
Battery failure, yes you are supposed to send it in every 5 yrs, but tech is tech.
Crushed device due to roll over, accident. Yes you have never rolled a rig, but then again no one else ever rolled a rig, until they did.
Lost device...you are hiking with the device on your, slip and it gets knocked down into a crevice that also results in your broken leg. Or you left the device in your rig and the rig gets stolen by a wayward illegal border crosser.
You fall down and hit your head thus never getting to hit the button. That is the reason I use a Spot tracker and have the system I spoke of either with my wife.
Food poisoning results in confusion or no strength to push a button.
Vehicle fire burns the device to the ground.
Theft by a wayward desert traveler of you campsite while you away.
So there are many reasons why you need knowledge and skills more than tech & toys (and I am a huge tech toy geek saying that).
Put together a ditch bag, then go camp from Friday afternoon to Sun eve testing out your kit. Practice doing things with 1 arm in a sling or 1 leg braced. Practice blindfolded (grease/oil in your eyes could happen).
Set you phone alarms to go off at a random time in the afternoon and that begins your "emergency" you must stop right there, exit the rig with only the ditch bag and get through the weekend.
Plenty of great advice for anyone who wants it....I just don't think you want it Sparky.
Even if there has never been a PLB failure that does not mean there could not be a failure...betting your life on that fact doesn't make sense.
Sparky I normally don't say things like this but there really isn't a need for you to come back to this thread as you have already made up your mind that there can be only 1 solution.
Even though the rest of us have given many examples of how your PLB plan can fail you, it just ins't sinking in.
However for the sake of anyone else who might read this I will once again lay out why you need a plan that covers the chance you might either not be able to press a button or the button might not work.
Battery failure, yes you are supposed to send it in every 5 yrs, but tech is tech.
Crushed device due to roll over, accident. Yes you have never rolled a rig, but then again no one else ever rolled a rig, until they did.
Lost device...you are hiking with the device on your, slip and it gets knocked down into a crevice that also results in your broken leg. Or you left the device in your rig and the rig gets stolen by a wayward illegal border crosser.
You fall down and hit your head thus never getting to hit the button. That is the reason I use a Spot tracker and have the system I spoke of either with my wife.
Food poisoning results in confusion or no strength to push a button.
Vehicle fire burns the device to the ground.
Theft by a wayward desert traveler of you campsite while you away.
So there are many reasons why you need knowledge and skills more than tech & toys (and I am a huge tech toy geek saying that).
Put together a ditch bag, then go camp from Friday afternoon to Sun eve testing out your kit. Practice doing things with 1 arm in a sling or 1 leg braced. Practice blindfolded (grease/oil in your eyes could happen).
Set you phone alarms to go off at a random time in the afternoon and that begins your "emergency" you must stop right there, exit the rig with only the ditch bag and get through the weekend.
Plenty of great advice for anyone who wants it....I just don't think you want it Sparky.
Karma, for the record I drive an 08 Xterra...
I guess the problem I have is attitude. "If I get into trouble I have this nifty PLB so that other people can come rescue me." What happened to personal responsibility? I got me into this mess so that others can fix it? NO. Instead of worrying about 'come get me' gear, how about gear to get myself out of trouble? Looking back at the original post its one of the first things you hit on. Not saying a PLB is a bad idea but lets try to find ways to avoid having to use it...
Why not concentrate on a better tool set, second battery, sand ladders, sand anchors, a better winch, printed copies of maps for when the electronics fail, spare parts, etc. Look for ways to not have to call for help in the first place.
+1000 on the not having all the water in one container. Better multiple smaller containers (nalgenes for example).
Survival gear varies greatly by region. In my area your set up would be terrible- the mosquitoes would eat you alive in an open top jeep! Water shortage is never a problem (I'm near New Orleans but usually head to SE MS when I can escape), not getting bitten by things in the water occasionally is! Gators have never been an issue but I hate water moccasins! Anyway, you need to figure out what gear you can afford to leave out, and what you need. Best way to do that is to simulate getting stuck for a few days.
I guess the problem I have is attitude. "If I get into trouble I have this nifty PLB so that other people can come rescue me." What happened to personal responsibility? I got me into this mess so that others can fix it? NO. Instead of worrying about 'come get me' gear, how about gear to get myself out of trouble? Looking back at the original post its one of the first things you hit on. Not saying a PLB is a bad idea but lets try to find ways to avoid having to use it...
Why not concentrate on a better tool set, second battery, sand ladders, sand anchors, a better winch, printed copies of maps for when the electronics fail, spare parts, etc. Look for ways to not have to call for help in the first place.
+1000 on the not having all the water in one container. Better multiple smaller containers (nalgenes for example).
Survival gear varies greatly by region. In my area your set up would be terrible- the mosquitoes would eat you alive in an open top jeep! Water shortage is never a problem (I'm near New Orleans but usually head to SE MS when I can escape), not getting bitten by things in the water occasionally is! Gators have never been an issue but I hate water moccasins! Anyway, you need to figure out what gear you can afford to leave out, and what you need. Best way to do that is to simulate getting stuck for a few days.
HI LA,
Moan about my attitude if you wish. I think you are being hypocritical. I'll reply that you have not read this thread carefully. If you had, you would would know that I have a dual battery system. I have a good tool kit, I'll bet better than yours, fully inventoried and checked periodically. I do carry a Pull Pal. I have a great winch, a Warn 8274 plus a good complement of winch accessories. I carry spare parts but the collection is limited by space and weight. I keep my Jeep in tip top condition. After all, it's my ultimate survival tool. I never trek with an open top. In the desert bugs are only a minor problem but I carry bug repellant. I do have a roll cage. I do print paper maps. And there is more, much more. But, I'm not going to bother going into it. It won't make any difference to you. All you care about is winning the discussion. If this were not true you would have bothered to read this whole thread carefully. You have not. You are exposed.
Let's talk a little about water. For three day plan, I could, even in the middle of a blazing summer desert, survive with no water. Sure, I would be thirsty. But I would still be alive. That's all I need. Don't forget that I will have a refrig full of soft drinks. I made jokes about sitting back and having a beer waiting for S&R. But, the truth is, I don't drink alcohol-anywhere. But, I do love my Coke's.
I used to live in Houston. Thank God I no longer have to deal with that weather and bugs. Your situation is worst than Houston's. My survival situations are so different from yours that we might as well be on different planets.
The point I'm making is you don't care about the trouble I have gone to avoid having to be rescued. All you really care about is complaining about my attitude. I think you can't stand that I have confidence that my scheme will work and yours won't. You really can't stand that this rookie (I'm not really a rookie at all) could devise a plan that you could not consider because it is so different from the conventional wisdom. You are the one that should open your mind. I believe you are actually leading me away from being rescued alive. Does that make you evil? No, just blind.
There is one more thing I have have not mentioned because I did not want to taint this thread. I am 70 years old. I don't normally think of myself as being that old but in planning for survival I must think about it. I am in decent condition. If I were younger I might (or might not) consider being manly and attempt to walk out. I could go on like this but it won't make any difference. You only care about one thing and that is relying on my PLB to get help. Somehow you think this unmanly or something strange that I don't understand. Do you think that I must risk life and limb and walk out of a desert? Come on, now. That's just plain crazy. I just don't get it.
Given this, I'll ask you the same question I have asked others. If you are stranded 50 or 100 miles from help in the middle of a desert, in the summer, would you attempt to walk out? Especially if you had a handy little PLB just waiting to go into action. I'll bet not. You are clearly not stupid. Can you come up with a better plan than mine? I don't think you can. One that has a higher probability of success? I don't think so. And success is what we are concerned with here.
I started this thread to get input about my emergency survival kit. Rather than spending much time with that, responders have attacked my methods. Fair enough, I guess. The more I have read and considered everyone's input, the more I became convinced that my plan was a good one. You guy's have not mentioned one thing that I had not considered except the possibility of a vehicle fire. But I do carry a good fire extinguisher. So obviously I have given that some though too, just not recently. This is a game of probabilities. No plan is guaranteed for success. I must do the best I can with what I have to work with. Walking out of the desert is not on my list. I would be a french fried Sparky.
Sparky
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LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Sparky at 70 years old do you have the physical ability to deal with problems you may encounter traveling solo? My question is not to offend you but valid given your age. I know 1st hand winching, digging, rigging, suspension repair,engine repair, tire changes and climbing on and off the roof can be very physical. Sound like you carry a lot of stuff but can you effectively use it?
Honu
lost on the mainland
some things you have said and this is just from a few posts ?
so what I see is someone who says they have no real survival experience ?
someone who does not carry spare gas or two sources of water ?
someone who basically does not care about others only himself
and travels alone ?
you never touch your survival items so no idea if they will really work or if you will even really know how to use them ? especially if you get injured and why both myself and Lance said practice with one arm and one leg !!!
you dont really know how to use a first aid kit ? or more than putting on a bandage it sounds like ? CPR and other things sadly I have used a lot in my life so YES I have rescued a lot of people like you and even done a few where we have just recovered the bodies !!!!!! bet those ones had the same attitude you did !! nothing more fun than handling dead people !!!!! sarcasm their meaning it pisses me off one of them avoided things we said and he went and died !!! why CAUSE HE DID NOT LISTEN TO SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE
so instead he gave us the great thing to practice CPR watch him die a few times be brought back and ultimate after the ambulance/Paramedics came he did die !!!!!
YIKES get some training !!!! ask lance or a few others who have taken and know wilderness medical something I want to do myself cause its dif than the medical I used to do !
I love the OH its just 3 nice days hanging out in my rig while everyone of us with experience is saying dont plan on that ! you dont know
no patience and dont care about others only yourself and your situation ? typical bad attitude to learn with ?
honest it seems you are the technical pocket protector type that has flowcharts plans no real world experience wont practice with your gear till you need it meaning chances are you wont be able to figure it out in survival situation
we have all given you lots of good info and pretty much all has been shot down
I honestly can not count how many people I have saved from situations in my old job ? but maybe 50 or more ? and can say not one of them planned on what happened and the plan they thought might work did not from the few I asked why the heck they did what they did ?
being 70 ? OK that might limit you in some hike out I admit but at the same time you said yeah I can see that ? so its not about that its about some people that are 70 getting to stubborn and stuck in their ways !!! you have to get out of that and rethink it honestly !!!!!
so read each line and you tell me is this a person that wants to listen and learn ? does not sound like it from the other responses !!!!!
this is a great group and why many of us are sticking with it and trying to tell you whats up the holes what you need what to think etc..
carry spare gas carry two cans of water practice with your gear pretend to be injured etc..
OK no argument just a comment gas and two sources water is something on a day trip you should be carrying IMHO if you want to avoid things or is the PLB for when you run out of gas to ?
so what I see is someone who says they have no real survival experience ?
someone who does not carry spare gas or two sources of water ?
someone who basically does not care about others only himself
and travels alone ?
you never touch your survival items so no idea if they will really work or if you will even really know how to use them ? especially if you get injured and why both myself and Lance said practice with one arm and one leg !!!
you dont really know how to use a first aid kit ? or more than putting on a bandage it sounds like ? CPR and other things sadly I have used a lot in my life so YES I have rescued a lot of people like you and even done a few where we have just recovered the bodies !!!!!! bet those ones had the same attitude you did !! nothing more fun than handling dead people !!!!! sarcasm their meaning it pisses me off one of them avoided things we said and he went and died !!! why CAUSE HE DID NOT LISTEN TO SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE
so instead he gave us the great thing to practice CPR watch him die a few times be brought back and ultimate after the ambulance/Paramedics came he did die !!!!!
YIKES get some training !!!! ask lance or a few others who have taken and know wilderness medical something I want to do myself cause its dif than the medical I used to do !
I love the OH its just 3 nice days hanging out in my rig while everyone of us with experience is saying dont plan on that ! you dont know
no patience and dont care about others only yourself and your situation ? typical bad attitude to learn with ?
honest it seems you are the technical pocket protector type that has flowcharts plans no real world experience wont practice with your gear till you need it meaning chances are you wont be able to figure it out in survival situation
we have all given you lots of good info and pretty much all has been shot down
I honestly can not count how many people I have saved from situations in my old job ? but maybe 50 or more ? and can say not one of them planned on what happened and the plan they thought might work did not from the few I asked why the heck they did what they did ?
being 70 ? OK that might limit you in some hike out I admit but at the same time you said yeah I can see that ? so its not about that its about some people that are 70 getting to stubborn and stuck in their ways !!! you have to get out of that and rethink it honestly !!!!!
so read each line and you tell me is this a person that wants to listen and learn ? does not sound like it from the other responses !!!!!
this is a great group and why many of us are sticking with it and trying to tell you whats up the holes what you need what to think etc..
carry spare gas carry two cans of water practice with your gear pretend to be injured etc..
Karma said:
OK no argument just a comment gas and two sources water is something on a day trip you should be carrying IMHO if you want to avoid things or is the PLB for when you run out of gas to ?
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Hi Land,
Absolutely a valid question you ask. I have no good answer. At 70, nothing is guaranteed. I do all my own mechanics work, usually by myself. Last year I replaced my transmission and clutch by myself. I was pretty proud that I could do it but it was not too hard. I had done it before a couple of years ago. It would have been easier 30 years ago. I'm a good and self-reliant mechanic. I have also replaced several suspensions-alone, replaced the stock carb with fuel injection, installed ARB's front and rear. And many, many other things. Not that hard. Actually, not much on this Jeep has not been replaced, upgraded, or at least touched. Mechanical work does not worry me. Nor does electrical work. I have over 50 years in the electronics industry. Electrons have no secrets from me. I have done all my own wiring and designed many mods. This is a good Jeep.
Hand winching? Out of the question! Even if I were younger! I have a Warn 8274 winch for that work. If I were really forced into it, I don't believe it would be a problem. I do carry a Hi Lift and Pull Pal. I have a collapsible ladder to get to the roof mounted tools and cases. If you look carefully at my Jeep pictures I posted, notice the rock sliders. They were specifically selected to provide a foot step for the roof. So, I have two ways of getting up there and both work well depending on what I need to do. Tire changes are no problem even with my heavy wheels. However, getting a heavy tire up on the carrier is hard. I devised a lite-weight lift to help me do that. It works well.
If you have read this entire thread you may remember that I said that the roof top cans never come off the roof after they are filled. I use self-priming siphons which totally solves the problem.
As I said, I'm in decent condition. I try really hard to not let my age limit me. So far, I have gotten away with it. My idea of a good death is expiring on one of the thousands of beautiful overlooks in Moab. I'll die happy. Death does not scare me. I am not retired.
So far, I have found no limitations except, maybe, endurance. I refuse to let my age limit my Jeep life - or the rest of my life for that matter. I feel much more mentally alive than I did when I was much younger. Life is a great teacher. One huge change is life planning. There was a time when planning for the next thirty years was the natural thing to do. Now, it makes no sense. I don't plan for the future at all (except survival kits-LOL!!). Tomorrow is just another valued gift. But only after it gets here. One cannot assume too much.
You who are younger can really have no idea what age means. I only know as I get older. And I don't dwell on it at all. So, I am doing well. Tomorrow, who knows?
Sparky
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Honu
lost on the mainland
sorry you feel that way when I was trying to give you good info that you ignore ? yet in your opening you say you are willing to talk about it yet you are not ?
age has taught me one thing that age has less to do with it and experience has a lot to do with it !!!!!!
and someone willing to LISTEN AND LEARN every time can gain a ton of experience and you can learn new things at any age !!!!!
and my experience has also taught me a lot since I have seen and been there first hand !! rescuing people like you !!!!!
thats fine ignore me
you have ignored others here as well and seem to brush off every thing everyone has tried to share from those that have a ton of experience
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Ray Hyland
Expedition Leader
OK, I am coming in late, but I have read through the whole thread, and the list and looked at the photos of the Jeep, and heard the 3 day strategy. I am not going to disagree with any of it. That's your plan. Not a bad plan, I have seen a lot worse plans, and I have seen many trucks that are not so well set up as yours. Lots of things that could go wrong, but probably won't, and what the heck, at least you have a plan.
I am struggling to see where we can add value here.
You have a fridge full of coke and food and lots of water and a PLB that you have faith in. You have a good Jeep and a sleeping bag.
It's obviously not your first rodeo, you are 70, so you have seen stuff and done things that would blow the socks off a lot of people I am assuming. So you know that even at 70 years old all you really need is a tarp and some water to easily last 3 days in the bush. Toss in a dozen granola bars and you won't even be peckish. So what do you need? Nothing that I can see.
If you want some comments on the items on your list with "research" ticked beside them, then I would recommend:
Food - some canned stew, etc. You have the space and weight available (3 days is only 3 cans of stew since you are sitting at the Jeep and not burning any calories), canned food lasts a long time, and doesn't use up your water to cook like dehydrated food. Add some bars for variety.
Air Horn - I say don't bother, you have a horn on the jeep. The plan is that the PLB will lead rescue to the Jeep. If you really want one, get the little one that people use at hockey games. Small but still loud. You will never use it so might as well make sure it doesn't take up too much room.
Tent - dont repair it, just buy a new one, a good one like a Nemo. If the weather really sucks you don't want an iffy tent.
First aid kit - bring what you know how to use. Maybe toss in a pack of quick clot, a 5 year old can use it and it could save your life if you cut yourself. Nothing sucks more than bleeding to death before the helicopter shows up.
Snake bite kit - no idea, but I'd suggest you visit your local ranger station and buy the same one they use.
I would recommend some thought goes into your spare clothing. Technical layers, rain poncho, and a warm wool sweater are high on my list. You may have that covered, if not we can delve deeper.
I am struggling to see where we can add value here.
You have a fridge full of coke and food and lots of water and a PLB that you have faith in. You have a good Jeep and a sleeping bag.
It's obviously not your first rodeo, you are 70, so you have seen stuff and done things that would blow the socks off a lot of people I am assuming. So you know that even at 70 years old all you really need is a tarp and some water to easily last 3 days in the bush. Toss in a dozen granola bars and you won't even be peckish. So what do you need? Nothing that I can see.
If you want some comments on the items on your list with "research" ticked beside them, then I would recommend:
Food - some canned stew, etc. You have the space and weight available (3 days is only 3 cans of stew since you are sitting at the Jeep and not burning any calories), canned food lasts a long time, and doesn't use up your water to cook like dehydrated food. Add some bars for variety.
Air Horn - I say don't bother, you have a horn on the jeep. The plan is that the PLB will lead rescue to the Jeep. If you really want one, get the little one that people use at hockey games. Small but still loud. You will never use it so might as well make sure it doesn't take up too much room.
Tent - dont repair it, just buy a new one, a good one like a Nemo. If the weather really sucks you don't want an iffy tent.
First aid kit - bring what you know how to use. Maybe toss in a pack of quick clot, a 5 year old can use it and it could save your life if you cut yourself. Nothing sucks more than bleeding to death before the helicopter shows up.
Snake bite kit - no idea, but I'd suggest you visit your local ranger station and buy the same one they use.
I would recommend some thought goes into your spare clothing. Technical layers, rain poncho, and a warm wool sweater are high on my list. You may have that covered, if not we can delve deeper.
HI Ray,
Glad you came on board.
I feel much more confident of my plan now than when I first started this thread. I thought others would come up with something that would make my plan obsolete. But, the best others can do is suggest that I walk out. Given the ground rules I set up (desert, solo, 70 years old, small vehicle, summer, 3 days, far from help), I think walking out is nuts. Though none of the nay sayers have said it, I think they would do the same. Yet they are beating on me relentlessly. So, I have to think they have a hidden agenda-maybe even hidden to themselves. Not being a mind reader, I can't be sure.
I have repeatedly asked what they would do if they were in my shoes. I got no specific answers. I think they don't know. So, my confidence in my plan grew. I will make some minor adjustments based on some of the suggestions from this thread then I think I am good to go.
You say that you think my plan is "not bad". I would hope you would not be so equivocal. If you think it could be better and have specific ideas I want to hear them. I want my plan to be excellent. Just don't ask me to walk out. And don't ask me to use much Jeep space. I'm out.
About the air horn. That was just an idea I had to solve the problem of a search team in the general area of the vehicle but they could not find it. A horn might get their attention and lead them to me. If I'm injured, I may not be able to walk to them. I was just an idea. I have not bought one. Hell, I may not use anything in the survival kit. I hope not.
As for the reliability of the PLB, I think it is not in question. They are reliable. Are they perfect? NO. And one could sit around the fire for a long time imagining scenarios where the PLB would fail. In reading these fantasy scenarios, my only impression is they are all very low probability dreams. Could any of them happen. I guess so. But, with a little care I think none of them would happen.
Let's say that the failure scenarios are realistic (I don't think they are), what are my options? Perhaps not use the PLB? Leave it home? Toss it in my Trasharoo? My options would be to walk out. To me that is a recipe for death. I won't do it.
I don't understand your comment about the tent. Repair it? I don't remember this topic being brought up. No one has even mentioned my tent. I think you thinking about another thread.
Sparky
Glad you came on board.
I feel much more confident of my plan now than when I first started this thread. I thought others would come up with something that would make my plan obsolete. But, the best others can do is suggest that I walk out. Given the ground rules I set up (desert, solo, 70 years old, small vehicle, summer, 3 days, far from help), I think walking out is nuts. Though none of the nay sayers have said it, I think they would do the same. Yet they are beating on me relentlessly. So, I have to think they have a hidden agenda-maybe even hidden to themselves. Not being a mind reader, I can't be sure.
I have repeatedly asked what they would do if they were in my shoes. I got no specific answers. I think they don't know. So, my confidence in my plan grew. I will make some minor adjustments based on some of the suggestions from this thread then I think I am good to go.
You say that you think my plan is "not bad". I would hope you would not be so equivocal. If you think it could be better and have specific ideas I want to hear them. I want my plan to be excellent. Just don't ask me to walk out. And don't ask me to use much Jeep space. I'm out.
About the air horn. That was just an idea I had to solve the problem of a search team in the general area of the vehicle but they could not find it. A horn might get their attention and lead them to me. If I'm injured, I may not be able to walk to them. I was just an idea. I have not bought one. Hell, I may not use anything in the survival kit. I hope not.
As for the reliability of the PLB, I think it is not in question. They are reliable. Are they perfect? NO. And one could sit around the fire for a long time imagining scenarios where the PLB would fail. In reading these fantasy scenarios, my only impression is they are all very low probability dreams. Could any of them happen. I guess so. But, with a little care I think none of them would happen.
Let's say that the failure scenarios are realistic (I don't think they are), what are my options? Perhaps not use the PLB? Leave it home? Toss it in my Trasharoo? My options would be to walk out. To me that is a recipe for death. I won't do it.
I don't understand your comment about the tent. Repair it? I don't remember this topic being brought up. No one has even mentioned my tent. I think you thinking about another thread.
Sparky