SPOT - Help messages

[mtncat800]

Has anyone put a handle on what is the best cell phone number or E-mail address to plug in the help message on your SPOT?
We stayed at a place last week that was not so good about returning phone messages or E-mails when it came to reservations. It prompted the question, how would they respond to a "HELP" situation. We talked to the help and that didn't get us much further. We then stopped by the ranger's station. He at least knew what we were talking about when it came to the SPOT and did give us several options including the local law enforcement offices. This seems like the most logical choice, but are they properly trained in what they are and how to handle them?
Just curious how everyone else is handling it. A HELP message to family and friends back home, a 1000 miles away, probably isn't going to cut it.

 

[tudizzle]

you have three options for message sending on your spot.

The ok which is best for sending messages to family and friends even yourself so you know where you have been.

The help button. Which in theory you should put in the numbers or emails of your friends who could come and help. If you are from out of the area it might be nice to contact the local club and see if they could be added to that list. Maybe the local sheriff dept. But I think its use is more intened for people within your own support group for help.

I use mine with a preset message to friends and family that says we have incurred some minor difficulties and will be returing later than usual but that we are able to get out on our own.


then the 911 which will automatically be routed to the local law enforcement agencies and S&R for that area. That is the one that should be used, without hesitation if you need any kind of emergency assistance. If you are worried about the costs just spring for the 8$ insurance so you will have seconds thoughts about using it


-diz

 

[snowrdr]

I set mine up to contact people that I know would be able to contact assistance if they were to receive that message. I myself felt like the help function would be for non lifethreating situations that I or my fellow riders could adapt to but may need a helping hand from someone else. I think your point of 1000 miles away is very valid but is also good to maintain that contact thread with those close to home. I am not too sure how solid of a contact a Law Enforcement Officer would be with that function when they may consider it a 911 type of scenario. I think it is all based upon your contact and information you pass on to those folks prior to your departure and where you plan on riding and keeping them in the loop on your day to day moves really should dictate your contact information. Good points you brought up!!!

 

[mtncat800]

I agree with your suport group idea, but when you are from out of town and you ride with the only locals you know in the area, then what? Sure you can leave a list with your group back home, but in our case, we rode in three different areas, the time for them to figure out exactly which entity to contact could be wasting valuable time.
I am just saying I think that the general public outside of the sport may need a little time to get on board with them.

 

[TEC800]

my help message goes to my girlfriend, parents , and brother. all of which live in the same area back home (the 1000 miles away thing) i just give them the number of where i am staying, and any other pertinant numbers i can come up with. even though they are so far away i can guarantee you that if i sent that message the whole darn county i was sleddin in would be gettin woke up and receiving a pile of phone calls regardless of what contact info i left them

 

[Red-eye]

I wanted the help message for when I go by myself and local areas. If I go far away I go with enough friends to get out of anything ( or it becomes 911 ) I like OK message for my wife, so she doesn't worry when I'm late. The 911 helps anywhere.

 

[mtncat800]

Maybe I am over thinking this. I was just surprised that a place like SLO realy didn't have any idea of how to deal with it if we used them for a contact. They would have people that know the area, the sleds at their disposal and could probably mobilize before anyone back home could stop thinking the worst.
I purposly left my wife off of the help list as I know it would not be a pretty site having her try to calmly relay where I was, and if it is a page that wasn't sent, or didn't transmit before 9:00pm when SLO closed. Then what?
I too am not looking at it as a life threatening situation. I just know from expierence that there are very few true emergencies, only situations that need to be mitigated.

Broken bones in the mountains --- emergency

Lost your bearings in a snow squal or broken sled --- help situation

 

[Red-eye]

Good point, I guess you have to be prepared for the worse in all areas.

 

[Climbit]

An Idea would be to get Snowmobile clubs in areas involved with this for a "Help" situation. You could add some "volunteers" from the club when you are in their area and if the situation arised they could come assist.

I know I would be willing to help anyone out that was in my area if they needed it. Kinda like a "Spot Helpers Assoc." haha.

Now that I think about it .... If anyone is ever in my area let me know and I will be a "help" contact.

 

[sevenmacs]

I have a Spot as well, messages go to several people, but they're close to where we ride. I assume your refering to SLO out of Steamboat. I would speak to your lodging manager, or if you rent sled then the rental company, because they could be reporting you missing if you don't return, but some don;t care they just want your money, if its an emergency it doesn't matter as button 3, 911, we be sent to local S&R and they will come find you, its saved several people out west. Maybe talk to the local sled dealer, some are great people and would be a source for button 2 if they know you, its a tough call, good luck

 

[mtncat800]

An Idea would be to get Snowmobile clubs in areas involved with this for a "Help" situation. You could add some "volunteers" from the club when you are in their area and if the situation arised they could come assist.

I know I would be willing to help anyone out that was in my area if they needed it. Kinda like a "Spot Helpers Assoc." haha.

Now that I think about it .... If anyone is ever in my area let me know and I will be a "help" contact.

A SPOT Helpers Assoc. I like that.

Great dialog, keep it up.

 

[Lank]

An Idea would be to get Snowmobile clubs in areas involved with this for a "Help" situation. You could add some "volunteers" from the club when you are in their area and if the situation arised they could come assist.

I know I would be willing to help anyone out that was in my area if they needed it. Kinda like a "Spot Helpers Assoc." haha.

Now that I think about it .... If anyone is ever in my area let me know and I will be a "help" contact.

A SPOT Helpers Assoc. I like that.

Great dialog, keep it up.

Great idea~

I am a SPOT dealer in SW Colorado....operate our groomer, snomobile and am as familiar with the area as anybody. Put me on the list to contact for help if riding in this area.

Perhaps we could have a thread where people could be listed as help contacts for a given area. If someone was to be riding far away from home, they could contact the people in this list and see if they would be willing AND have the time to be on the help list if needed.

 

[live2ride]

Farmer and I are also spot "members" and if anyone in Colorado is riding the General area of Carbondale, Basalt, Glenwood Springs, possibly Aspen, you could use us also in case of emergency. But please let us know in advance incase we are out of town, and we will supply you with phone #'s and emails. We also are on the Grand Mesa alot, so for these areas we would be available for the Spot help.

 

[Climbit]

Great idea~

I am a SPOT dealer in SW Colorado....operate our groomer, snomobile and am as familiar with the area as anybody. Put me on the list to contact for help if riding in this area.

Perhaps we could have a thread where people could be listed as help contacts for a given area. If someone was to be riding far away from home, they could contact the people in this list and see if they would be willing AND have the time to be on the help list if needed.

We could each have a thread in our respective riding area section and get admin to put it up as a sticky. Anyone interested in being a "help" contact could post there. Pre contact and confirmation would be a good Idea to ensure your contact is not away.

Ill Start , I just put one up in Western Canada thread.

 

[emether1]

I think you are getting a little deep with the help button.

To me the ok button is a great tool to let your family and friends know you are ok and where you have been thru out the day and that you have made it down safe off the hill.

The help button should be used for those situations where your family and friends can assist you with non life treatening issues like a vehicle break down or what have you before you get to the hill and are up riding.

Once you hit the hill and are riding any time you have a situation that you need any kind of help, be it you get lost and you have to spend the night on the hill or you or some one else gets hurt and needs medical attention, caught in a avalanche or what ever the problem, you should be on the 911 button.

When you are on the hill in what ever the situation you can not afford to waste valuable time. Some ones life may depend on it.

 

[karnedge]

i geuss they are having some trouble with them in bc.tellcom didnt know what a spot was.. so they never did anything about the calls.. i think they do now..

 

[sbojan]

Emether, I disagree with you a bit here. Getting lost or spending the night on the hill is not a true emergency (if you are prepared and not hurt) and I think irresponsible to call out the forces to try a "rescue". The 911 option should be reserved for dire situtations only.

 

[mtncat800]

Emether, I disagree with you a bit here. Getting lost or spending the night on the hill is not a true emergency (if you are prepared and not hurt) and I think irresponsible to call out the forces to try a "rescue". The 911 option should be reserved for dire situtations only.

I didn't want to go there for fear of upsetting anyone, but I agree.