Do you remember growing up and having members of your family stress about safety and stressing, be careful? It seems that as we age, we attain the “I got this” syndrome and by doing so, consider safety of a lesser priority. The simple fact is, safety should never be downgraded. In fact, I’d say it should be upgraded, as when we get older, we gain more and more responsibilities. You simply can’t put a price on safety. So without further adieu, please see below for my thoughts:
MOBILE (CELL) PHONE / SIM CARD
We generally heart our phones and for good reason, never has their been a time where so much power was in something so small and portable. To many, it’s become a part of our everyday life, a third hand, and so, let’s use this gift. I’ve read stories where people have been rescued simply because of their GPS pings, given off by their phones. Additionally, when planning for an upcoming international trip, it’s recommended to compare the costs of using your current SIM card or purchasing a new SIM card on arrival. Let the most cost competitively option win. While I’m not a proponent of excess usage of your phone while on holiday, it’s pleasing to know you have a pathway to reach the world, and if not, let it serve as a beacon in case of emergency.
PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON (PLB)
I remember watching a show back in the day where a particular Swiss watch had a magically function; at the pull of a button, a distress beacon was unleashed announcing your location to search and rescue teams. One can never predict the future; however, I assume anyone who’s ever been stranded in an unfortunate emergency, they’ve wished to communicate their needs to an emergency personnel. The ResQLink+ PLB from ACR does just that; measuring just 11.4 cm (4.5 in) in length and weighing 153 g (5.4 oz), this small device can be a lifesaver. Activated, it will send a distress message to a search and rescue center and for the next 24 hrs, your location will be highlighted, in hopes that the cavalry will be on their way. Family members are additionally notified in the process. An extraordinary device that can be the reason why you once again, see your family and have that fantastic home cooked meal.
SATELLITE PHONE
What happens when you need to make a call but have no signal? This can occur when you travel in between cities, when you’re away from civilization or even worse, a disaster has occurred and the communication towers are down. These events can occur, and it’s wise to build redundancy in your safety plans,. There are choices when it comes to investing in a sat phone, but I’ve gone with the leaders, Iridium (Iridium Extreme 9575). There are two options with regards to the service plan, you can either purchase a prepaid SIM card with allotted minutes or purchase a post-paid plan. The prepaid is more cost competitive; however, in the case of an emergency, the post-paid will shine, as you’re not confined to usage. Always consider your safety, as you may think a sat phone may be a bit overkill; however, when you need one (and don’t have one), it may be too late.