SPOT users chime in with tips, emergency lists etc

[Weekday Warrior]

I just got my SPOT and am trying to come up with emergency plans for my wife. What did you all do for contacts, phone lists etc to help your spouse or whatever use to get in touch with the right peeps? My wife is not so great on the computer so I'll have some sit downs with her. I need to build a list of peeps to call should I get in trouble snowmobiling, ATV'ing, boating or commuting even...not all of these peeps will be the same on every list for example.

I'll use this for hunting, sledding, ATVing, boating and even my commute home (I drive over a rural mountain pass with no cell coverage and almost zero traffic in the early AM)

My OK checking in message says:

"I am OK don't worry just checking in all is OK. If I send this frequently I may be late getting home."

My send help message says:
"I am OK and uninjured. I am stuck, broke down or unable to make it back myself, send help from family or friends"


just gettin some ideas in case I missed something on my own here

 

[black swan]

more info the better....

I recommend for the "OK"message-----adding as much personal info, ph# fcc call sign, 1st-Last name,and campsite or trailhead i plan to park at. That is if, you don't mind changing your profile daily.

2nd suggestion is making dupplicate contacts for your family. I setup an email address for my wife, and then also added here phone number/provider too.
This way she always gets the SMS-text message immediately, and if she needs the google map info she just logins into her new email.

My testing over the last few weeks, sending dozens of messages in a range of weather, has proved to work 99% of the time.

I'm sold, as a SAR responder. I could only wish, that everyone in the backcountry would carry one. It could save 100's of man hours searching while saving lives in the process. No more searching miles&miles for a trace of a victim, with SPOT we should know w/in a few of yards we you are.

Priceless.

 

[BowSheet]

has anyone had any luck sending a text to a edge wireless cell phone? My email gets the message loud and clear but I don't seem to have the address right for the text message.

 

[drmiller100]

keep it simple.

i like your ok message.

the send help message includes gps coordinates. hopefully you told someone on the list where you were going before you left town anyway.

PLEASE point out to your wife that you DO have a 911 button if you need it. You would use The 911 button to call Search and Rescue.

If you press hte "send help" button, and your buddies can't get there in 12 or 20 hours or something, then have the wife call local Sheriff for Search and Rescue so they can start getting ramped up.