For some of us, cover generally isn’t too far away and the press of a button or uttering a phrase into the mic will make it rain cops when we really need help. But many work in a different world entirely — a world where the nearest cover unit is measured in hours. When they need help they are truly alone. Alone, and chances are no one knows exactly where they are even when the gap closes down to the last few miles. Sheriff’s deputies, game wardens, state troopers and other LEOs who work with this reality, my hat is off to you. You need to be more careful, practice better tactics and you deserve better technology to help overcome that disadvantage.
Bunker Down
One particular piece of gear that can literally be a life saver is the MicrOFix personal locator beacon (PLB) from ACR Electronics, Inc. Primarily marketed toward outdoor adventurers, aviators and ocean travelers, this device will literally send an SOS message from anyplace on earth to the most advanced network of emergency response professionals anywhere. Not only will the message tell them you are in a life or death situation, but it will tell them where you are — within a few feet. All you have to do is flip open the antenna, press the red button and then bunker down for the cavalry to arrive. Not even the “Emer” button on the most sophisticated portable police radio gives you that. Granted you may have a GPS tracker in your vehicle so when your push that Emer button they know where to start looking, but if your investigation has taken you away from your car, it might be a long time before they find exactly where you are.
Experience Counts
ACR Electronics, Inc. has been in the business of developing safety and survival equipment for all types of applications for over fifty years. They have an excellent reputation and make survival products for the U.S. military, U.S. Coast Guard, NATO and Arctic explorers. They have made over half of the satellite-detectable beacons registered in the US today.
MicrOFix transmits on the 406 MHz COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue satellite system. Its signal is a digitally-coded distress signal providing GPS coordinates and relevant personal information provided when the unit is initially registered. Since the FCC authorized PLBs for use in the “lower 48” in 2003, they have been steadily gaining recognition and popularity — with good reason too. They’ve been responsible for numerous saves and have been notably absent on some rather high profile tragedies such as the loss of three climbers on Mount Hood this past winter. In addition to the 406 MHz signal, the MicrOFix transmits a signal on the 121.5 MHz SAR homing frequency as an added measure of assistance to search and rescue professionals.
ACR’s other new PLB is called the ResQFix and it is essentially the same device as the MicrOFix. Rather than having green rubberized grips and control panel, the ResQFix are blue. Its neoprene floatation pouch makes it more suitable for marine environments and while both units are waterproof down to 33 feet, neither floats.
If you’re one of those cops who works miles away from cover, you might want to talk to the powers-that-be about investing in some new safety equipment. And, if you are the adventurous type, you may just want to invest in one of these life saving devices on your own. They go for about $650 retail, and this is one tool that absolutely will save your ass.
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