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[NSW] Free Hire of Personal Locator Emergency Beacon (PLB) from National Parks NSW & NSW Police

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[NSW] Free Hire of Personal Locator Emergency Beacon (PLB) from National Parks NSW & NSW Police
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nocure on 23/07/2022 - 12:30 nationalparks.nsw.gov.au (2606 clicks)
Last edited 23/07/2022 - 16:44 by 1 other user

OzReminder for new members heading out to grab one of these just in case. Previous post for reference here and credit to whoever that was.

Where you can hire a PLB for free?:
You can hire a PLB for free at 13 locations in NSW. When you pick up your PLB, all you have to do is fill in a trip intention form. PLBs are available from:

Kosciuszko National Park

  • Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne
  • Perisher Valley Office
  • Tumut Visitor Centre
  • Khancoban Visitor Centre

Blue Mountains

  • Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath

Central West

  • Warrumbungle Visitor Centre

North Coast

  • Dorrigo Rainforest Centre

South Coast

  • Merimbula office, 47 Merimbula Drive, cnr Sapphire Coast Drive, Merimbula 2548. Phone: 02 6495 5000

New England

  • Tenterfield office, 10 Miles Street, Tenterfield 2372. Phone: 02 6736 4298
  • Glen Innes office, 68 Church Street, Glen Innes 2370. Phone: 02 6739 0700
  • Walcha office, 188W North Street, Walcha 2354. Phone: 02 6777 4700

If you're visiting a different national park area in NSW, it's a good idea to buy or hire your own PLB and bring it with you in case of emergency. You can get one at quality outdoor supply shops.

Sports & Outdoors Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Related Stores

NSW Government
NSW Government

closed Comments

  • try2bhelpful on 23/07/2022 - 12:37
    +32

    Bloody good idea. If people grabbed these it would save them a fortune in search and rescue costs when people go missing.

    We, really, need to find a way to make these available, cheaply, when people are travelling around Australia. It is a bit of a joke that everything in Australia is trying to kill us, but a fair whack of Australia is inhospitable if you get in trouble.

    • oz-dave on 23/07/2022 - 13:00
      +3

      Agreed, this is great that they are being offered free of charge for specific locations.

      I looked at the cost of buying them and there seem to be many retailers offering PLBs in the $300 - $400 range.
      I was initially thinking to myself, wow - they are so expensive to buy!!!
      But even at that cost, if many people could save themselves lifelong injury (and associated pain), or even death, I am sure they would choose to pay the money, if given the benefit of hindsight.

      As you say, if they were available cheaply, maybe most people would have one.
      Perhaps if they were subsidised more widely (similar to this offering) the government would actually save money in search, rescue and medical costs.

    • HairyChickens on 23/07/2022 - 14:29
      +2

      everything in Australia is trying to kill us, but a fair whack of Australia is inhospitable if you get in trouble.

      Like SlavOz

      • try2bhelpful on 23/07/2022 - 15:39
        +2

        LOL. Although, to be fair, he is only boring us to death.

  • dbmitch on 23/07/2022 - 12:57
    -7

    You'd think with a little bit of tooling they'd make an app for these kinds of things, but I guess people leave their phones behind when they hike?

    • freewhere on 23/07/2022 - 13:03
      +8

      It requires specific radio frequencies to work. But it can definitely be a lot cheaper, specially the non-floating versions.

      • dbmitch on 23/07/2022 - 13:05
        -2

        This is understandable, definitely don't want randos clogging up those lines with non-critical chatter that can't be distinguished from real emergencies.

        • freewhere on 23/07/2022 - 13:11
          +4

          I don't believe these support voice transmission, just digital beacon w/o GPS data. The voice ones require radio operator license to work with emergency frequencies

          • oz-dave on 23/07/2022 - 13:19
            +2

            @freewhere: You are correct - these are not phone-like communication devices.
            The are "Beacons" as the "B" in PLB indicates.

            When activated they work best if they can match the unique signal to their database (based on you registering your beacon) and then get in contact with the registered emergency contact person to find out if this is truly an emergency. They advise you stay in the one location so searchers and aircraft can then use the beacon to locate you.

    • oz-dave on 23/07/2022 - 13:06
      +5

      You'd think with a little bit of tooling they'd make an app for these kinds of things, but I guess people leave their phones behind when they hike?

      Unfortunately it isn't really possible to make the additional hardware required to function as a PLB available via an app.
      And remember, PLBs really come into their own where there is no mobile phone signal available.

    • eug on 23/07/2022 - 13:06
      +10

      You'd think with a little bit of tooling they'd make an app for these kinds of things, but I guess people leave their phones behind when they hike?

      Battery life and durability is a big thing. A PLB can last 7-10 years depending on model. A phone might last half a day if you're taking lots of photos and videos.

      If you slipped down a cliff and broke your ankle, your phone screen might get smashed in the process. A PLB will likely still be functional as they're not made of glass.

    • Davbar24 on 23/07/2022 - 13:25
      +9

      Until you have no mobile coverage

      • amzinguserman on 23/07/2022 - 13:40
        +3

        yeah exactly this. even if you do the tourist hikes at katoomba you dont get reception in places.

        • Davbar24 on 23/07/2022 - 14:39
          +1

          Or anywhere outside a major township if you are with Optus or Vodafone :)

        • Lund Eleven on 23/07/2022 - 19:28
          +2

          Half the time I don't get reception if I want downstairs in my house.

    • joelmuzz on 23/07/2022 - 14:48
      +4

      If people had a working phone they wouldn't be lost in the first place.
      And the Emergency Plus app does already exist as a location reporting emergency dialler app.

      A PLB sends the GPS location to satellite when activated, which brings the ambulance or helicopter to that precise location.
      They work out of phone range and the non rechargeable battery is good for 5+ years of standby.

  • factor on 23/07/2022 - 13:01
    +4

    Beats me that so many people have roadside assistance and so few carry a PLB. A PLB is cheaper and gets you out of real trouble, rather than just curing inconvenience.

    • banana365 on 24/07/2022 - 00:03
      +1

      Look at how few people go remote and get themselves in potentially life threatening situations (the thing a PLB helps with) compared to how many own cars. Not really surprising the difference in numbers.

      • try2bhelpful on 26/07/2022 - 11:05
        +2

        We don’t go remote but we, actually, got lost one day going around the back track of a vineyard. We did all the stupid things they tell you not to do. It got dark and we, finally, ended up in the town a couple of kilometres away and came back via the road. We wouldn’t have used a PLB but it shows how easy it is to underestimate our environment.

        If you go bush walking, if you go skiing, if you go out fishing. You can end up in trouble, relatively, easily. It is like the first aid kit in your car. It is there for when you need it.

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 24/07/2022 - 08:04
      +1

      I totally agree! RSA to change a tyre, but no plan to save a life. Madness.

      I got a floating one for my boat. It’s registered for the boat and car. If it’s on land, they know to look for the car, if on water, it’s a boat. I do travel to extremely remote places though.

  • ChickenDinner123 on 23/07/2022 - 13:02

    Good idea. How much do they normally rent out for?

    • oz-dave on 23/07/2022 - 13:09
      +2

      From what I can see: $10 to $20 per day, over a week, or cheaper rates for longer term.
      If renting for a month or more, you would be better to buy outright, since they typically have no ongoing fees (and a 7 year battery life).

      • factor on 23/07/2022 - 13:20
        +5

        RescueMe PLB1 — $349, lasts 7 years. Battery replacement $180, for another 7 years.

        So $50/yr initial investment. $26/yr subsequently.

        Cheapest insurance ever. After activation, if you're in mobile reception you'll get a call from the rescue coordination centre - ie: people who can read a map - no need to convince 000 operators that there is no nearest cross-street. One step to a helicopter rescue.

        • oz-dave on 23/07/2022 - 13:23

          Exactly - Very cheap life and/or injury insurance…
          I think the main problem is educating people about their existence and, in some cases, convincing people of their benefit.

        • eug on 23/07/2022 - 13:24
          +6

          RescueMe PLB1 — $349, lasts 7 years. Battery replacement $180, for another 7 years.

          If you have a screwdriver you can buy a replacement battery for US$39.95.
          There's a whole thing about non-certified battery replacements but really, it's just a battery.

          • factor on 23/07/2022 - 13:32
            +4

            @eug: Mine needs a replacement battery in the next 12 months. It's important enough to me that I will pay up the extra for the firmware upgrade and testing from the service centre.

          • ronorboris on 23/07/2022 - 13:47

            @eug: Looks pretty dodgy from the photo https://i.snipboard.io/B83rfw.jpg

          • meowsers on 23/07/2022 - 13:48
            +2

            @eug: I wouldn't do this myself.

            You need to make sure it's still watertight and is your life really worth it for $140?

            • eug on 23/07/2022 - 13:56
              +2

              @meowsers:

              I wouldn't do this myself.

              It's definitely not something a non-technical person should do.

              You need to make sure it's still watertight

              Fortunately PLBs are not built like phones and are designed to be disassembled, which means making sure it's still watertight is a matter of making sure the gasket is still intact and applying fresh silicone grease before screwing it back correctly.

              and is your life really worth it for $140?

              If you're not confident about it, definitely not. It's no different to the tens of thousands of people who service their own cars including brake bleeds and pad changes rather than pay a mechanic to do it.

              • meowsers on 23/07/2022 - 14:17
                +5

                @eug: No, this is completely different. I do SMD rework at home and still wouldn't do this because it's a mission critical, life safety device. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

                I recognise it's just a couple screws and a gasket. But what you don't have is a test chamber to test the device and the underlying capabilities of the manufacturer.

                To each their own.

                I've just looked at what it consists of and for the money you get:

                Device inspection
                New 7 year battery installed
                New seals and resealing
                Hydrostatic testing
                Function test and software update
                Return delivery.

                • eug on 23/07/2022 - 20:12
                  +2

                  @meowsers:

                  I do SMD rework at home and still wouldn't do this because it's a mission critical, life safety device.

                  OK, as you say, to each their own.

                  I'd say that even though the brakes on a car is a mission-critical life safety device which can kill other people as well, plenty of mechanically-minded people have absolutely no qualms about changing their brake pads. Changing the battery on a PLB is much, much lower on the danger scale IMHO. But yes, different people accept different levels of risk.

                  I recognise it's just a couple screws and a gasket. But what you don't have is a test chamber to test the device and the underlying capabilities of the manufacturer.

                  Pressure testing tests the seals for water resistance. If you don't hike in the rain (a sandwich bag will help) or intend to use it on a boat (where you would have an epirb too), a visual inspection may suffice. Once again, it's up to the person to assess their risks.

                  The built-in self-test checks for RF power output. The manufacturer would have a proper beacon tester and be able to conduct operational testing, but once again, it's up to the person to assess their risks. These devices are made to be reliable. My beacon has a 10-year battery life, I still expect it to be working in its 9th year. Other beacons have a 7-year battery, they too should still be functional in their 9th year without needing a function test and software update, if any, in their 7th year.

                  I've just looked at what it consists of and for the money you get:

                  $180 is quite a fair bit for that. If I was looking to spend that much money I think I'd much rather add another $100 or so and buy a brand-new PLB instead, with fresh new electronics. As you say, life is worth more than the extra $100. I would probably be a little worried about carrying a 14-year old PLB. By the time it's 10 years old, it's probably worth replacing anyway.

                  The old PLB can become a backup carried by a hiking buddy, with DIY replacement batteries.

  • edfoo on 23/07/2022 - 13:05

    I have that KTI brand PLB in the picture, it is a good value PLB but unfortunately the company has gone under.

    • eug on 23/07/2022 - 13:07

      The GME MT610G looks quite similar. I wonder if they bought KTI's IP.

  • Daniel Plainview on 23/07/2022 - 13:16
    +2

    National Parks & NSW Police: "Ah screw it, you tightarses aren't paying to hire these so please just take them for free so we don't have to locate & evac your sorry butts."

    Humour aside, is a great idea and I'm sure it'd have been cheaper for the Govt and better for all if just done this way a while back.

    • DingoBlue on 23/07/2022 - 16:36
      +1

      They still have to locate and evac. The part they save is the search.

  • oz-dave on 23/07/2022 - 13:37

    We teach kids how to swim as part of schooling in Australia to reduce the incidence of drowning.

    I know teachers have a lot on their plates, but perhaps they could spend a few minutes each year mentioning the dangers of being lost and/or injured in the bush and the simple solution a PLB provides…

  • bargainy on 23/07/2022 - 13:53
    -4

    Not a great idea in reality. Text below borrowed from a hiking forum:

    PLB's (personal locator/location beacons) are location indicating devices, not rescue devices. They only indicate at your location.

    Here's how they work. Some of this has been cut-n-pasted direct from AMSA.
    Beacons transmit on 406MHz. The international search and rescue satellite system, Cospas-Sarsat, listens for these signals and upon hearing, notifies the nearest ground station.

    This signal is escalated to a the rescue coordination centre responsible in that region to arrange search operations. In the case of Australia, it's initially AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority), then onto local rescue agencies best suited and equipped to reach the location indicated by the beacon. In most cases in Australia , the police are the control agency for search and rescue, supported by police SAR, SES, Fire Services etc etc.
    Now it's really important you register your beacon… with your details. This speaks to the shortcomings of renting or loaning a PLB.

    If your beacon is registered, AMSA Search and Rescue will look up your account and ring you and your emergency contacts immediately. They will most likely not get you on the phone though it's been know to happen that folks have triggered the beacon before trying 000 in the phone. So here's a tip. First try your phone before your PLB and if you block unknown numbers on your phone, temporarily allow them during your trip. Quite often emergency services calls come from unknown numbers.

    If your emergency contacts are aware of you trip details or trip details have been submitted online, then search operations can be commenced much sooner!

    These details provide greater clarity to the rescuers as to the equipment they may need to bring, the number of rescue resources and other tactical and logistical requirements, as well as if you are solo or with others (who may be able to assist you until rescue arrival).

    Rented or loaned beacons do not (usually) contain your details! They are registered to the owner of the PLB and if rented that's usually the business who owns it. They may not even register it with AMSA. In any event, the PLB will not be registered with your emergency contact details.

    It is essential to keep your details up to date. Be aware that search and rescue authorities commence search operations as soon as they can. You may not be the first in the queue. You may not be the current priority.

    • eug on 23/07/2022 - 14:04
      +4

      Not a great idea in reality.
      Rented or loaned beacons do not (usually) contain your details!

      Not true. When you hire a beacon for free you have to fill out a trip intention form. That is where you specify your details, trip intentions, and emergency contacts.

    • joelmuzz on 23/07/2022 - 15:01
      +3

      It's a simple website form to instantly update the details. Ive done it on a desert island 5km off the coast straight after mine floated away, updated to say it's lost and not to respond to it.

      And the registration notes in this case will clearly identify that it's a national parks bushwalker loaner so even if they didn't update the database and can't contact the office they know it is being used by bushwalkers.

    • OZKap on 23/07/2022 - 15:14
      +3

      PLB's (personal locator/location beacons) are location indicating devices, not rescue devices. They only indicate at your location.

      Yes, and? They indicate your position once you activate it in the event of an emergency, so that a rescue can be sent.

      Rented or loaned beacons do not (usually) contain your details! They are registered to the owner of the PLB and if rented that's usually the business who owns it. They may not even register it with AMSA.

      Do you really think that Parks NSW or NSW police are not going to register all these PLBs as "loaner PLB for bushwalker"?

    • tdw on 23/07/2022 - 16:11
      +3

      always has to be a karen who rears their head to shit on a good safety initiative.
      nowhere does it say these are "rescue devices."

  • Yamai on 23/07/2022 - 16:03

    What happens if you lose it?

    • Flyerone on 23/07/2022 - 19:58

      Pay replacement cost.

  • AKJJ on 23/07/2022 - 16:34
    +1

    A great idea and disappointing the ACT doesn’t do it. Wrote to an ACT Minister about the idea after seeing it here but the response was that people can just rent them privately if they want one. Pretty pathetic.

  • BuyFlys on 23/07/2022 - 16:39

    What happens if you have to activate it in an emergency?

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 23/07/2022 - 18:48

      Someone will try to find you. I thought that bit was quite obvious no?

  • Windows7forever on 23/07/2022 - 17:23
    -7

    Idiots that get lost or in trouble should have to pay for their own evac.

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 23/07/2022 - 18:50
      +3

      Accidents happen. Even the most prepared people can come unstuck due to something unforseen happening.

    • banana365 on 24/07/2022 - 00:08

      You've never attended a hospital or doctor because of an accident?

  • Kamsi on 23/07/2022 - 19:11

    Should be free and stay free especially for those long haul hikers imo.

    • Flyerone on 23/07/2022 - 19:59

      Why? Should PLB's be free for boaters too? Where is the line drawn for personal safety and who wears the cost?

    • banana365 on 24/07/2022 - 00:09
      +1

      Those long haul hikers have thousands of dollars worth of kit. A few hundred dollars on top of that isn't much.

  • knaff on 23/07/2022 - 20:01
    +1

    Should be used as a last resort.

    Remember to take a decent uhf out with you too.

  • ajd4096 on 23/07/2022 - 22:11

    You can also buy ex-hire PLBs cheap occasionally, I think they sell them at 2 years old.

    I carry both a PLB and a Garmin inreach mini.

    The PLB is for "help, I'm hurt", the Garmin is for sending "I'm ok, just running late" SMS.

    • eug on 23/07/2022 - 22:42
      +1

      The Inreach's live tracking is also great for friends and family to keep track of your progress, for their peace of mind.

    • Telios on 24/07/2022 - 00:28
      +1

      Why?

      The in reach can serve as a PLB as well, you're paying a subscription that literally goes to a search and rescue service.

      • eug on 24/07/2022 - 06:58
        +2

        It's always nice to have redundancy if you can.

      • ajd4096 on 24/07/2022 - 11:16
        +3

        They have completely different use-cases.

        The Garmin is very handy for communications in remote areas.
        The PLB is a one-shot for emergency use only.

        The Garmin is not waterproof and will sink.
        PLBs are waterproof and buoyant.

        The Garmin is satellite only and has (a lot of) difficulty with heavy cloud cover.
        The PLBs VHF homing signal frequency is less affected by cloud cover and also monitored by commercial air-craft.

        The Garmin's battery is rechargeable, but you have to keep it charged up.
        The PLBs battery has a shelf life of almost 10 years.

        The Garmin is fiddly to use and almost impossible to read at night. (It is easier to use with the phone app, but now you're relying on two devices both working).
        The PLB is so simple you can start it off with only one hand, and no further interaction is needed.

        I'm not paying for search and rescue, I'm paying to be able to send text messages to family/friends.
        I love the Garmin, but for emergency use a PLB beats it hands-down.

  • supert1ght on 24/07/2022 - 07:13

    Can’t you get an AirTag or something similar?

    • PeterSnoot on 24/07/2022 - 07:40

      I was going to neg this but realise that it might be humour (I'm being generous).

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