GPS and radio beacons for those hiking solo
Some people love to go hiking in a group and enjoy the social activity as well as the nature power boost of being in the great outdoors. But some of us prefer to get away from it all, including the socialising, and head off to nature solo. Walking and hiking solo can be a special experience, but of course there are risks that need to be considered responsibly. And modern devices are now available to help ensure you have a great trip out and come back safely.
One of the golden rules when heading out for a walk or hike alone is to make sure you let at least one person you trust know where you are going, where you will be finishing the walk and of course what time you are approximately expected to complete your hike. Then they can estimate when it is that they should start getting concerned if you do not contact them. And this may not mean something awful has happened to you.
There is not always a decent enough mobile phone reception in many remote areas. Even though many networks boast up yo 95 per cent coverage you can bet that where you heading to in the hills, mountains or valleys, will be one of those areas not covered very well. So you cannot rely on using your mobile phone even if you have remembered to charge the battery fully before setting off on your solo adventure.
If you are considering hiking in the wilds regularly or often it is may be worth considering in investing in an emergency radio beacon or a handheld GPS tracker system. The radio beacon works on a pre-set radio frequency so you do not have to worry about mobile phone signal issues And global positioning system is designed to function worldwide. Your device will have its own unique signal that will identify you and where you are. When the signal is sent out it is very swiftly passed on via an international satellite system to then notify the rescue and emergency services who are local to you.
Some of the more modern devices also have other features so you contact your specified persons in less extreme circumstances. For example, for an emergency that is not life-threatening, you could still reach any personal contacts and let them know you require assistance. You could even set up a check-in messaging service to let friends and family know you are OK. A pre-programmed message can be sent with just one click to a list of pre-arranged contacts who will receive a reassuring message and also be informed of your whereabouts, which is stored in case it is necessary or useful for later reference. So, it may be worth adding a GPS or radio beacon device to your hiking gear [http://www.whitesoutdoors.co.uk] especially if you like to head for the hills alone.
Some people love to go hiking in a group and enjoy the social activity as well as the nature power boost of being in the great outdoors. But some of us prefer to get away from it all, including the socialising, and head off to nature solo. Walking and hiking solo can be a special experience, but of course there are risks that need to be considered responsibly. And modern devices are now available to help ensure you have a great trip out and come back safely.
One of the golden rules when heading out for a walk or hike alone is to make sure you let at least one person you trust know where you are going, where you will be finishing the walk and of course what time you are approximately expected to complete your hike. Then they can estimate when it is that they should start getting concerned if you do not contact them. And this may not mean something awful has happened to you.
There is not always a decent enough mobile phone reception in many remote areas. Even though many networks boast up yo 95 per cent coverage you can bet that where you heading to in the hills, mountains or valleys, will be one of those areas not covered very well. So you cannot rely on using your mobile phone even if you have remembered to charge the battery fully before setting off on your solo adventure.
If you are considering hiking in the wilds regularly or often it is may be worth considering in investing in an emergency radio beacon or a handheld GPS tracker system. The radio beacon works on a pre-set radio frequency so you do not have to worry about mobile phone signal issues And global positioning system is designed to function worldwide. Your device will have its own unique signal that will identify you and where you are. When the signal is sent out it is very swiftly passed on via an international satellite system to then notify the rescue and emergency services who are local to you.
Some of the more modern devices also have other features so you contact your specified persons in less extreme circumstances. For example, for an emergency that is not life-threatening, you could still reach any personal contacts and let them know you require assistance. You could even set up a check-in messaging service to let friends and family know you are OK. A pre-programmed message can be sent with just one click to a list of pre-arranged contacts who will receive a reassuring message and also be informed of your whereabouts, which is stored in case it is necessary or useful for later reference. So, it may be worth adding a GPS or radio beacon device to your hiking gear [http://www.whitesoutdoors.co.uk] especially if you like to head for the hills alone.