Beware! - Emergency Services Will Not Respond

Created by sue. Last modified on 2009-01-06 15:58:08

From 1st February, 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat Program will terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5/243 MHz emergency beacons (EPIRBs and PLBs); only distress signals from the newer 406 MHz EPRIBs and PLBs will be processed.

The bottom line is that if you are still carrying one of the 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs or PLBs in February, and you find you are in significant distress, requiring immediate rescue assistance, don't bother flicking the switch . . . instead you can make the last entry in your diary: that you should have given yourself a new, 406 for Christmas.