Could a Personal Locator Beacon Save Your Life?

Once upon a time, hikers who were lost or injured deep in the wilderness were relegated to the lunch menu for big cats and bears. These days, the predators' repasts are hindered by technological advances that make it easy for lost humans to be found by other humans, who are not yet lost. The New York Times reports that after years of being used by private pilots and boaters, Personal Locator Beacons were approved by the FCC for use on land in 2003.  That approval, however, did make them cheap, or particularly light, and the Times suggests that because these babies sell for $500 and up and weigh at least 10 ounces, backpackers have been slow to sign on. The devices, obviously used when a cell phone is out of range, emit a 406-MHz radio signal that is picked up by one of 12 satellites operated by the international Cospas-Sarsat search-and-rescue system. The signal carries a code that identifies its owner and, depending on the completeness of the required registration, the owner’s emergency contact information and the expected location. Read more about Personal Locator Beacons in the New York Times.
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