Emergencies in remote locations? (Tok, Tanana: rental car, rental, how much)

[icarian]

Most "remote" rescues that we've done have been 1 of 3 things: cell phone (you can be relatively remote ie SW of Delta Junction across the Tanana River and still have cell range), emergency locator beacon activates the SARSAT network and the Anchorage Rescue Coordination Center gave us a call, and third sat phone.

Other areas that are still remote but are homesteads (Tanana River west of Nenana and annual breakup floods around Old Minto come to mind) I *believe* used one of two means: long range radio as addressed above or Sat Phone. Alaska State Troopers dispatchers usually get such calls, so they are the ones in the know.

For hiking, hunting, etc: key thing imho is to have a trip plan filed with someone--detailed route/no later than time/etc. This works for day or overnight out. Much more than that, it should only be a backup. I'd like to say common sense only should carry you over (and usually it does), but sometimes s*** happens. We've had to rescue some old timers that knew their way around the backcountry...and of course others that did not

[mal_flisk]

Old (damaged CDs make great signal mirrors!

[starlite9]

The emergency locater transmitters that transmit on 121.5 are used by aircraft and marine units mainly, but now companies are selling a line of personal use versions. They are not really popular with the lifesaving departments because of the use of these units are triggering a lot of false searches due to the idiots that want to "See" if they can hear the signal and forget to turn it off...

The Major airlines when flying over Alaska and other parts of the world have a radio that is tuned to that freq. to pick up any distress, if one is received, it is noted and a response in launched.

There is also a joint US/Russian Satellite that about every ninety min's makes an orbit that was launched for that purpose of looking for those in distress and scans that freq also.

Flares, orange smoke generators, high intensity green lazers for attracting aircraft passing by and other devices are handy too.

On a marine radio, channel 16 is used for Hailing and Distress Calls, the Coast Guard has repeaters all over the Coast of Alaska's waterways to monitor that and other distress calls.

Having a Satellite phone if you plan on being out away from civilization is a good idea if you are in a scrap.

The Alaska Air National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, US Coast Guard and a host of other agency's will respond when a distress call is sent out.

Cell phone, ham radio and other forms of contact are also able to be used in some areas.

But mostly, knowing what you are doing is going to be your best Allies in keeping your butt out of hot water....

Forty years ago, if you were in trouble, you were on your own in most cases, alot of that has changed...

[icarian]

One more thing to add once a rescue is on its way. As stated above, for daytime something either shiny (as long as there is sun) or some sort of smoke "grenade"/flare--it is hard for an aircraft to miss smoke once he is in the relative area. I like smoke...but admittedly never take one out with me

Unfiltered flashlight works fine for night.

[msta999]

Thanks, I figured with todays technology, more people would have some kind of electronics just for this. Think I'll look at one of the aviation radios, small hand held. Might be better than nothing.

[msta999]

Test

[msta999]

I didn't know there were so many agencies and planes monitoring the air waves up there. That is good to know. Thanks again for the info.

[stiffnecked]

It depends on what part of the state you are in. In southeast get a handheld marine radio. Up north aviation. Around some of the smaller villages a CB might still come in handy.

[msta999]

Thanks stiffnecked, I guess that makes sense.

[notreesininceland]

Is is correct to say that in the thick of winter bears pose virtually no threat (as long as you do not accidently stumble into a den and rouse them from hibernation)? I presume that a bear out and about in winter is going to be an extremely hungry - and predatory - creature.