SPOT to the rescue. Sigh.

[alaskaflyer]

Hikers Evacuated After Three SPOT Activations In Three Days (Grand Canyon NP)

By Brandon Torres, Canyon District Shift Supervisor
October 21, 2009

On the evening of September 23rd, rangers began a search for hikers who repeatedly activated their rented SPOT satellite tracking device. The GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston reported that someone in the group of four hikers – two men and their two teenaged sons – had pressed the “help” button on their SPOT unit. The coordinates for the signal placed the group in a remote section of the park, most likely on the challenging Royal Arch loop. Due to darkness and the remoteness of the location, rangers were unable to reach them via helicopter until the following morning. When found, they’d moved about a mile and a half to a water source. They declined rescue, as they’d activated the device due to their lack of water. Later that same evening, the same SPOT device was again activated, this time using the “911” button. Coordinates placed them less than a quarter mile from the spot where searchers had found them that morning. Once again, nightfall prevented a response by park helicopter, so an Arizona DPS helicopter whose crew utilized night vision goggles was brought in. They found that the members of the group were concerned about possible dehydration because the water they’d found tasted salty, but no actual emergency existed. The helicopter crew declined their request for a night evacuation, but provided them with water before departing. On the following morning, another SPOT “help” activation came in from the group. This time they were flown out by park helicopter. All four refused medical assessment or treatment. The group’s leader had reportedly hiked once at the Grand Canyon; the other adult had no Grand Canyon and very little backpacking experience. When asked what they would have done without the SPOT device, the leader stated, “We would have never attempted this hike.” The group leader was issued a citation for creating a hazardous condition (36 CFR 2.34(a)(4)).

Can I trust all of you not to have the same attitude about your pilot skills?

 

[SCCutler]

Substitute "BRS" for "Spot."

 

[astanley]

Can I trust all of you not to have the same attitude about your pilot skills?

ANP has this *exact* problem -- and while the land is nowhere near as technical as GCNP or your neck of the woods -- people still undertake "riskier" adventures all because they have one of:

+ Cell phone
+ SPOT
+ Handheld GPS

My FIL and I have done a 13 mile post Christmas traverse of three peaks (don't laugh, Richard) in ANP for the past few years. It is slightly more technical due to ice and whatnot, and not something that should be attempted if you haven't done tamer stuff like this in winter. Every year, to a T, rangers are called out to a cell signal or a SPOT because someone tried a similar hike and ended up lost -- sometimes less than a MILE from a MAJOR ROAD.

Sigh...

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[sba55]

Substitute "BRS" for "Spot."

Yes. Excellent point!

 

[wbarnhill]

I'd rather the group leader be issued a bill for the use of the helicopter and crew.

Ridiculous.

 

[Ted]

BRS, MLOD, etc...

Sigh...

 

[wbarnhill]

Substitute "BRS" for "Spot."

BRS, GPS, XM Weather -- there are many technological advances today that might entice a pilot to just pack up and go flying without proper preparation. Doesn't mean those items are a bad thing, just means that we need to hold people responsible when they act irresponsibly so that hopefully others won't do the same stupid thing.

 

[Ted]

BRS, GPS, XM Weather -- there are many technological advances today that might entice a pilot to just pack up and go flying without proper preparation. Doesn't mean those items are a bad thing, just means that we need to hold people responsible when they act irresponsibly so that hopefully others won't do the same stupid thing.

There's a balance here. Those tools are great are aids to safety. The catch is knowing the limits and where their place is, which it seems like a lot of people don't. If a situation is bad enough that I won't make it without XM weather, then that generally means I should stay on the ground. That said, my handheld GPS with XM weather sure is a great aid to situational awareness and in-flight updates in a manner that is easier for me to comprehend than the verbal description from flight service.

GPS is great. The one problem with it from my perspective is when people get into the form of hitting D-> and then not having anything else to back it up. I always follow along and have VORs plugged in. That keeps me aware of my location and also gives me a backup right in there should the GPS decide to go on vacation.

Part of instruction should be understanding the value of the tools, but also understanding the balance that exists and that one must have with using them vs. being prepared to deal with not having them. If you depend on many of these items for basic operation or use them to make yourself comfortable for forging ahead into bad situatinos, then you're setting yourself up for problems.

 

[gkainz]

"911, what's your emergency?"
"McDonald's says they're out of french fries!"

you just can't fix stupid

 

[SkyHog]

Substitute VOR and NDB for SPOT.

I kid, but, remember, back in the day, these were once new technologies that probably garnered the same bad press as BRS and GPS do. Once people learn the proper way to use 'em, it'll be fine.

 

[Stevel]

STUPID SHOULD HURT

I hope someone gets a bill for this.
________
Honda nsr150sp/rr history

 

[SCCutler]

BRS, GPS, XM Weather -- there are many technological advances today that might entice a pilot to just pack up and go flying without proper preparation. Doesn't mean those items are a bad thing, just means that we need to hold people responsible when they act irresponsibly so that hopefully others won't do the same stupid thing.

Absolutely correct.

It's all about attitude, and if you use the presence of a safety-enhancing equipment to reduce the inherent safety of operations, then you have the wrong attitude anyway.

 

[ScottM]

BRS, GPS, XM Weather -- there are many technological advances today that might entice a pilot to just pack up and go flying without proper preparation. Doesn't mean those items are a bad thing, just means that we need to hold people responsible when they act irresponsibly so that hopefully others won't do the same stupid thing.

I heard that with the terrain feature on aviation GPS it is a lot easier to find one's way through the mountains in IMC without actually having to file IFR and fly at the correct altitudes!

 

[fastair5]

absolutely rediculous...there are so many helpless people. They should have just stayed home and experienced nature via National Geographic.

 

[AdamZ]

Can I trust all of you not to have the same attitude about your pilot skills?

Come on what do you think Richard? I don't know anyone here that would that would be that much of a moron. By the way I hope beyond a citation they get charged for the numerous rescue attemps. Their arrogance just astounds me. AND I don't know if the NPS can do this but after a stunt like they the should not issue another permit for hiking or camping to any of those morons without them first posting a rescue bond, If such a thing exists. I do join with you in your

 

[dmccormack]

I heard that with the terrain feature on aviation GPS it is a lot easier to find one's way through the mountains in IMC without actually having to file IFR and fly at the correct altitudes!

I'll confess to liking the terrain feature -- it's like seat belts and air bags.

I plan on always being vigilant, aware of my situation, yada, yada.

But there might be that one time when I'm tired, given a last moment vector for traffic in Really Bumpy IMC into some valley airport... well, I kinda like having a warning if I'm heading for something nasty.

 

[Clark1961]

Come on what do you think Richard?

He'll never realize or accept that his slip is showing... after all, he's entp!

 

[ScottM]

Come on what do you think Richard? I don't know anyone here that would that would be that much of a moron. By the way I hope beyond a citation they get charged for the numerous rescue attemps. Their arrogance just astounds me. AND I don't know if the NPS can do this but after a stunt like they the should not issue another permit for hiking or camping to any of those morons without them first posting a rescue bond, If such a thing exists. I do join with you in your

Are you really stating that more government oversight and regulation is needed here??

Personally I think if you walk off into the woods you should be able to do so on your own, if you die in the process that is Darwinism at work. But I also believe that you should take all the reasonable precautions that you can. But firing off a SPOT alert like this means you get rescued. If that rescue is deemed frivolous then you pay.

 

[wsuffa]

Personally I think if you walk off into the woods you should be able to do so on your own, if you die in the process that is Darwinism at work. But I also believe that you should take all the reasonable precautions that you can. But firing off a SPOT alert like this means you get rescued. If that rescue is deemed frivolous then you pay.

Agree.

Frivolous - make 'em pay. Legit emergency, handle the way it's done now (some places assess costs, some don't).

 

[Ted]

I'll confess to liking the terrain feature -- it's like seat belts and air bags.

I plan on always being vigilant, aware of my situation, yada, yada.

But there might be that one time when I'm tired, given a last moment vector for traffic in Really Bumpy IMC into some valley airport... well, I kinda like having a warning if I'm heading for something nasty.

That's using it appropriately. Don't do stupid things because you have it as a crutch to get you out, but use it as an aid to safety and situational awareness.