Thanks for this. I shared it with my brother, who lives in Montana and does a lot of solo hiking and rafting. He said he never goes out without his Garmin InReach. He didn’t know about the SAR insurance but when he went to buy it, he found he already had it! He’s working in Louisiana right now and wanted to rent a kayak to check out the swamps, but realized he forgot to bring his Garmin InReach and he doesn’t feel comfortable going out without it. I was relieved to know that he already had one. He’s in his mid-50s and isn’t as agile as he was in his 30s, and I know he’s often out in the wilderness alone. I’m glad I was able to share this info with him.
Thanks so much for sharing, it sounds like he's already well set up! I have my InReach clipped to my hiking pack full-time so I never forget it, because I would be nervous if I did!
Thank you for this super detailed article Melissa!! Really excellent and timely. After many back country adventures with zero service (living my best 90s life out there I guess) I finally realized this year (me 47, dog 12) that we could possibly have a bad outcome in the backcountry that we can't extract ourselves from with our prior youthful vigor. I've also done a bunch of backcountry wilderness medical training- we tried the Apple satellite at my last class which was ok... but long story long- bought the Garmin mini 2 and it connected quickly and much easier than Apple satellite.
I also purchased the insurance you spoke of above.
In short (long) thanks for doing the research and writing all this out for us. Completely and totally agree with having a Garmin inreach!
I'm so glad everything set up so quickly and effectively! I've had VERY hit or miss luck with Apple satellite and I'd not recommend it as a primary communication device. Nice to have if it works, but if often doesn't for me.
I’m a former SAR K9 handler/trainer (my dog and I did recovery though not rescue) who ran a little team in Southeast GA. We were 100% volunteer and funded all of our own equipment and training. We were a 501c3 but didn’t really solicit donations.
Great piece, very informative. I think when we read about rescues we tend to assume those people did something colossally stupid, but sometimes things just go sideways.
Loved the Garmin insurance info and went to get it; FYI the price is now $39.95.
Ooh thanks for that update! I’ve had my insurance for nearly a decade. I think accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, even if you are prepared and hiking safely. You never know.
I live in WA and we only charge for negligence. Ie you wore flip flops to hike, or some other silliness. Its hard to staff SAR in our rural communities because our population density is so low. Im thankful for folks who volunteer their time.
This is great information and resource! Thank you for sharing!❤️
I have had a Garmin Inreach 2 for a couple of years... Didn't know about the insurance??!! Will be adding ASAP as I sit here waiting for a flight
Thanks for this. I shared it with my brother, who lives in Montana and does a lot of solo hiking and rafting. He said he never goes out without his Garmin InReach. He didn’t know about the SAR insurance but when he went to buy it, he found he already had it! He’s working in Louisiana right now and wanted to rent a kayak to check out the swamps, but realized he forgot to bring his Garmin InReach and he doesn’t feel comfortable going out without it. I was relieved to know that he already had one. He’s in his mid-50s and isn’t as agile as he was in his 30s, and I know he’s often out in the wilderness alone. I’m glad I was able to share this info with him.
Thanks so much for sharing, it sounds like he's already well set up! I have my InReach clipped to my hiking pack full-time so I never forget it, because I would be nervous if I did!
Thank you for this super detailed article Melissa!! Really excellent and timely. After many back country adventures with zero service (living my best 90s life out there I guess) I finally realized this year (me 47, dog 12) that we could possibly have a bad outcome in the backcountry that we can't extract ourselves from with our prior youthful vigor. I've also done a bunch of backcountry wilderness medical training- we tried the Apple satellite at my last class which was ok... but long story long- bought the Garmin mini 2 and it connected quickly and much easier than Apple satellite.
I also purchased the insurance you spoke of above.
In short (long) thanks for doing the research and writing all this out for us. Completely and totally agree with having a Garmin inreach!
I'm so glad everything set up so quickly and effectively! I've had VERY hit or miss luck with Apple satellite and I'd not recommend it as a primary communication device. Nice to have if it works, but if often doesn't for me.
I’m a former SAR K9 handler/trainer (my dog and I did recovery though not rescue) who ran a little team in Southeast GA. We were 100% volunteer and funded all of our own equipment and training. We were a 501c3 but didn’t really solicit donations.
THANK YOU for your efforts. Our SAR team works so hard, and maybe when I retire, that's the job I'll train for.
Great piece, very informative. I think when we read about rescues we tend to assume those people did something colossally stupid, but sometimes things just go sideways.
Loved the Garmin insurance info and went to get it; FYI the price is now $39.95.
Ooh thanks for that update! I’ve had my insurance for nearly a decade. I think accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, even if you are prepared and hiking safely. You never know.
I live in WA and we only charge for negligence. Ie you wore flip flops to hike, or some other silliness. Its hard to staff SAR in our rural communities because our population density is so low. Im thankful for folks who volunteer their time.
Learning that our SAR team is ALL volunteer was humbling. I’m so happy to do everything in my power to keep them safe at home.