PLB's - Good to read some people are doing the right thing this Easter Weekend :)

[NissanGQ4.2]

PLBs - for Bushwalkers - Blue Mtns .

Please contact Police at Springwood and or Katoomba to confirm availability as Katoomba has as of 0600 29/3 loaned all PLBs out, and Springwood has a number remaining for loan.

NPWS (Blackheath & Glenbrook) and Visitor Information Cetnre Echo Point are other locations with available units for loan.

PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon. It is a device carried by a bushwalker which, when activated, transmits a message which is received by satellites orbiting the Earth, and is then relayed to emergency services. In the case of an activation by a bushwalker this will usually be a rescue helicopter. The helicopter then goes to the coordinates the beacon transmitted (or uses radio direction finding to home in on the beacon) and can then rescue the distressed bushwalker.

The system is the primary emergency communications method for remote areas as the system works world-wide - which is why it is also used extensively by ships and aircraft. Beacons are available which are small and cheap enough to be practical for bushwalkers, so these pages will give you an introduction into what they are, what types are available, how they work and how to use them effectively.

BWRS (Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad) encourages people bushwalking in areas without mobile phone coverage to carry a PLB. They are available for bushwalkers either at a nominal cost or for free from the following locations:

Area Serviced Where From Contact Details Cost

Blue Mountains -Blue Mountains Katoomba Police Station 217 Katoomba St, Katoomba No Charge - 47 828 199

Blue Mountains Springwood Police Station 4 Jerseywold Ave, Springwood No Charge - 47 510 299

Blue Mountains Blackheath NPWS Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath No Charge - office hours.

Echo Point Tourism office - Katoomba - no charge - office hours.

Snowy Mountains NPWS Visitor Centres Jindabyne, Perisher Valley, Khancoban or Tumut. Phone Snowy Region Visitor Centre on 02 6450 5600 for details. $20 deposit, $10 hire fee

Budawangs/South Coast IGA Supermarket, Milton On the highway in the middle of Milton - you will have to ask for the store manager $100 deposit, $10 weekly hire fee

Anywhere in Australia! EPIRB Hire Web site or phone 0415 263 750 or 0410 506 709. Minimum charge $88 for 7 days.

As well as being available for hire, PLBs can also be purchased at most quality outdoor stores (such as Alpsport or Paddy Pallin) and ships chandleries (such as Bias Boating or Whitworths).

Think Before You Trek
Think Before You Trek is a bush safety initiative between the NSW Police Force and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. BWRS supports the TREK initiative. It encourages bushwalkers to TREK:

T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.
R - Register your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.
E - Emergency beacons (PLB's) are available free of charge from the NSW Police Force and NPWS.
K - Keep to your planned route and follow the map and walking trails.
As part of this programme it can provide bushwalkers and adventurers in the Blue Mountains with a free loaned Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

[NP99]

Good info.......
Plus know how to navigate.

[threedogs]

Great Device a must for anyone who travels or frequents remote locations
Very affordable too. Always have up to date maps and portable GPS as well.
I'm a fan of taking a metal umpires whistle as well.

[NP99]

Great Device a must for anyone who travels or frequents remote locations
Very affordable too. Always have up to date maps and portable GPS as well.
I'm a fan of taking a metal umpires whistle as well.

.....and a pace counter.