The Club has two 406 MHz GPS-equipped Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) available for Club trips. A Leader wishing to be PLB equipped for a particular trip should contact the committee member who has custody of the PLB that is closest to you to arrange pick up.

  1. Diana Terry (suburb: Weston) phone 0414 608 876
  2. Rob Horsfield (suburb: Kambah) phone 02 6231 4535

Leaders are encouraged to take the PLB, especially on overnight trips into remote areas.

If you elect to carry the Club’s PLB on a trip, you need to be aware that:

  • The PLB must be stowed in such a way that it is not subjected to exposure to knocks, immersion in water or continuous direct sunlight and that its safety seal is not damaged. If the safety seal is damaged, the carrier will be responsible for the cost of its replacement unless the Committee is satisfied that there are extenuating circumstances;
  • The PLB should only be activated when safety of life is endangered or medical evacuation is required and there is no other ready means of communication with rescue authorities;
  • Instructions for the activation of the PLB are printed on the back of the unit. If activation is needed, the PLB should be placed in an upright position with a clear view of the sky;
  • Activation of the PLB under circumstances deemed by rescue authorities to be frivolous may lead to a penalty being imposed for its misuse. Any such penalty would be borne by the person or persons deciding to activate it and not the Club;
  • Accidental activation of the PLB must be immediately reported to the AMSA Rescue Coordination Centre;

Some airlines may have restrictions on the carriage of PLBs in checked or carry-on baggage.

Many members carry their own PLB on Club trips. If a privately owned PLB is activated in response to an emergency on a Club trip, the Club will, on request, reimburse the member for the cost of replacement of its batteries.

September 2018

Helicopter rescue of injured Club member,
Upper Kurrundie Creek, Kakadu,
by Karen Cody