A Personal Locator Beacon Is An Essential Emergency Tool If you spend a lot of time hiking, camping or in the backcountry, then it's a good idea to have a personal locator beacon with you https//wwwloneworkeralarmsconz/ These devices work by sending distress signals to search and rescue authorities via satellites, so they're much more reliable than a cell phone that needs a tower for service How They Work PLBs send a distress signal via 406MHz satellites, relying on a global network of government-run satellites to relay your location to rescuers They're designed to work in areas where cellular coverage is nonexistent or not available at all, including the middle of the ocean They're also great for hikers who like to veer off the beaten path and explore uncharted territory The best PLBs are waterproof and durable, making them a smart choice for any adventurer who wants to stay safe and be found if things go wrong The Most Common Types Of PLB There are two main types of personal locator beacon EPIRBs and AIS units An EPIRB Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon transmits a distress signal locally and can display your position on the chartplotter of your boat, lifeboats nearby and on other ships' VHF radios once you're near the scene of an incident A personal AIS unit, on the other hand, transmits a distress signal to rescue coordination centres, and can display your location on the chartplotter of your boat and lifeboats nearby, but not on other vessels' VHF radios until they're close to you They're less expensive than their EPIRB counterparts, but they require manual activation and don't last as long