McMurdo Fastfind Max-G GPS PLB
This is one of the latest personal beacons and is widely used by kayakers, divers and.... kayak divers like us. It's remarkably small and can even be carried by a diver in a purpose built anodised aluminium housing. On its own it's rated to IPX8 (-5m) so is fine for kayak use without. It transmits the digital distress signal on 406 MHz which is picked up via the global COSPAS-SARSAT satellite umbrella. The distress transmission includes GPS derived positional data and a unique identification code. In addition to the 406 MHz signal it also transmits a homing signal on 121.5 MHz. The unit has a three stage manual activation system, a 5 year battery storage life (user replaceable) and a minimum of 48 hours operation once activated. They should only be used as a last resort in situations of grave and imminent danger. Unwarranted activation can lead to severe penalties and everyone thinking you're a bit of a tw@.

Storage and protection: It's a pretty rugged piece of kit and designed to survive submersion to a depth of 5m but like anything else it's best protected. McMurdo do a fantastic "dive canister" which is made from marine grade aluminium and rated to 150m. This allowes the PLB to be carried and used by a diver if separated or missing in open water, but it's more than is required if you intend leaving it aboard your kayak. We always like to plan for the worst but we figure, that diving the way we do, it's safer to leave the PLB's on the surface. One of ours is in a dive container but the other is in a small Peli Products 1060 Micro Case.

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McMurdo Fastfind Max-G GPS PLB.
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GOOD: PLB's provide the best chance of being found in an emergency.
BAD: It is if you ever have to set one of these off.
REMEMBER: It would be even worse if you didn't have one.

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Glossary:
PLB: Personal Locator Beacon
EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
COSPAS: Cosmicheskaya Systyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov (honest!).
SARSAT: Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking.
GPS: Global Positioning System.

Manufacturer:
McMurdo.
Website: www.mcmurdo.co.uk
Product Link: McMurdo Fastfind Max-G GPS PLB

Supplier:
Airplan Flight Equipment.
Website: www.afeonline.com
Beware of cut-price web sites - most don't hold stock. I checked Airplan Flight Equipment had stock before ordering and it arrived the following day. Good service.

The 1060 Micro Peli Case came from Hitch n Hike (outdoor shop): 1060 Micro Peli Case