I was watching in amazement how that fly was out to "Seek Adventure" in your nose.

Being a ham radio operator here in the states we hear our neighbors from down under just about every morning. No satellite no Internet just pure radio waves.

Good piece mate. I bought a reputable PLB for my East Pilbara and Kimberley trip earlier this year, about 10 weeks. The trip was a tag along for 13 friends and family (they all flew into Broome). I said "you know, if I set this off they're only going to rescue me?" 13 more PLB bought ...

Love your work Michael. I was so sorry to hear that you had stoped producing your excellent videos. I do hope you’re dong well now.

Fun Fact: The rescue organisations in Australia know where all the local rubbish dumps are because often an expired EPIRB is discarded and as it's being moved about in the rubbish pile they can be set off and send a signal. If it matches a known rubbish dump then the authorities won't go looking. So.... don't get lost in a rubbish dump

OK...ALL Questions asking how long for emergency people to get to you,? Well for example, if you were in a bad vehicle accident just 15 years ago anywhere in outback regional Australia, it used to be touch and go for the injured with serious medical conditions. Then ambulances used to be heavy V8 F100s, Cops had VL/VN V8s (ok, wernt all that slow, but slower compared to speeds done now on outback highways by some when responding 😉) although it was more the RFDS that only used propellor Nomads with top speed of 300kph with tailwind cyclone blowing where after a crash say in mid west of WA, it would at those times take 4-5 hours for the Flying Doctors (and hot nurse kate and Peter pilot with mullet - Aussies over 30yrs will get this 😁) to arrive even where then they used to land at the closest station (not a train mate, an Aussie sheep/cattle station for non Aussies) then they would need to drive to the accident..(usually in an old rusty 4wd used for mustering, but got up and flew when had to) then all had to be repeated in reverse. NOW 2019...if you have a crash anywhere in outback WA, SA, NT, the RFDS in these states has both PC12 and PC24 Jet aircraft (like VIP Learjets but faster) purchased by the mining companies (thankyou Ms Gina Rineheart, Andy Forrest, BHP) which are designed to land on dirt runways or highways and travel well over 800kph. These aircraft usually have 2 x Specialist Doctors, (both elite trained in all majors as orthapedic surgery/ Cardiothoracic/ etc ) there is also a highly trained specialist Nurse who is also a qualified Neonatal Nurse and mental health nurse, and has significant training to act as the Anaesthetist. Even one or both of the Pilots are medically trained to at least paramedic level and have their own medical response kit in the cockpit if needed for multi patient event. NOW in under 1 hour of a call (depending where the aircraft are situated) you will have 5 world class medically trained individuals arrive! This can be doubled or tripled for multi casualties like bus crash with a multi aircraft response, basically a hospital with wings! . If you are in another state sometimes slightly longer although again all depends where RFDS aircraft are, but all can land pretty well anywhere and have bases all over the country. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to now go look/check the RFDS ✈🚁 coverage map, and you will be gobsmacked where bases are and what locations and fly to, THEN AFTER, hopefully you donate something to the RFDS, knowing that your arse and families are covered 24/7 everywhere in Aus...and feel F**KIN proud AS you have contributed to such an unique, Australian service that has THE BEST of world class medical services available anywhere in this huge vast country of ours by just a single call 👍 Note: if you are infact a serious 4x4er, in addition to these personal.safety devices, put aside around $100 and buy a AM/SSB CB (or $200 new) for a backup coms radio as now, many other serious 4x4ers are now using these CBs due to its superior distance (up to 80kms+) over the UHF. If you look up 'Aussie 4x4 AM/SSB CB users' on FB to help answer questions. 🚨🚨🚨 WARNING🚨🚨🚨 ALL MOBILE PHONES, EVEN WITHOUT ANY CREDIT OR SIM CARD OR EVEN IF PHONE IS LOCKED - ALL WILL CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES - JUST DIAL 000 or 112. EVEN IF in areas where is NO MOBILE SIGNAL - STILL DIAL 000 or 112 as the phone will AUTOMATICALLY switch to another phone network for you to call emergency people FOR FREE!!!

Great presentation of all the details, well done. looking forward to your next adventure.

Thanks Michael. Excellent upload and very informative. Made my day 👍🏻

I always like watching this type of info. Great tips and info thank you

Thanks for this informative video Michael. Just in right time for me! I' m planning to walk overland track in Tassie this March and I was seeking this information.

Another excellent presentation, good practical info, well done. I’m on my second Satphone, also a Thuraya Satsleeve, after the iSatphone Pro got a bit expensive on the monthly subscription. Also carry a 409 GPS PLB / EPIRB and multiple UHFs. Cheers!

Some national parks offices and police stations will lend you a PLB for free. You just need to fill out the forms. I know NPWS Blackheath does, and I think Wagga does too.

Great video again you give options and advice, people then need to make up their own minds. Better having something than nothing at all!!

Great info. to help us make our future shopping easier Mike😉

Great video man I have an EPIRB but that was free via work. I stick to Hf for my main com's as once you have it your good to go and no more silly costs, radio's and batteries etc are so small and light theses days you just need your licence and ya done keep up the good work

I have had an iridium Satellite from NorthernAxcess for about 9 years. I'd never go off-roading in desert wilderness without it. Thanks for sharing :)

Great video! I've used my Spot Locator for years and its worked very well. For me $269/year is like paying insurance, nice to have it and hope I never need it. Besides $269 is a small price to pay when you are lost or injured in the Canadian Rocky Mountains with harsh weather descending quickly. Keep up the great work mate!

This is one of the best get out there channels.

Oh mate, the flies up the nose was cooking me just watching it 🤣🤣 you’ve got some awesome tolerance mate 👍 Some awesome info as always mate, love the channel, keep up the good work 👍

While love my HF Radio, yes it is attached to the vehicle. I have been considering the options for "just in case" . Another Great Video Mate!!

Great info. Well presented. Top stuff.

Good job mate. Very handy info. I think the choice you use is the best and cheapest, the sat phone. Just pause the subscription when home. Might be worth adding that Telstra has the best rural coverage in the bush.

just got my renew notice for my spot and it is 189.98 US for one year. the tracking feature is just so good. keep the videos comeing 8)

Yep, I've got the Accusat PLB that you show at 7:46 purely as a safety net and to reassure loved ones that I can get help in an emergency. Where I go is very remote, at the end of a trail that stops, so there's no through-traffic of people. I could easily be there and not see a soul for several weeks. So a PLB is a must.

Nice one Micheal nice to know the options 👍😎🇳🇿

Excellent Video mate, haha that drinking pause

Another great video Michael, one thing to add with the sat phone is that with the plan, if someone calls your sat phone using their mobile phone, the cost is the same as any mobile to mobile call. However I do believe if you call from a prepaid mobile, you may be billed higher.

I had a SPOT. Stopped working just when I needed it so chucked it in the bin. I now have a very small EPIRB and feel much safer.

been watching your vids for a bit now. great stuff. as a friendly FYI the garmin in reach explorer +, a unit i just purchased after much research, is a very nice happy medium between the spot and the sat phone. 450 for the unit and 12-50/month USD cost. gives 2 way sms messaging, unlimited present messages and SOS feature as well as 100 hour map tracking that is shared to a website. in my opinion its the best of all the worlds and if you use the monthly plan it can be paused. it also has vastly more gps satellites than Spot. again great video, just a friendly add on advice

Very informative Mike 👍👍👍👍

I'm pretty happy with my Spot GPS tracker. Nice to be able to drop updates for the family and to have a little extra security in case the poo hits the fan.

Glad you put Thruya. Best option in my mind. Just have to remember its for emergencies and you won't be hit in the back pocket. Spot to me is the biggest rip off when you compare it to Thruya and what options you get with the device. If you do infrequent journeys then hire. After using Iridium based on my Army service I'm moving to Thryua. Plus Optus own their own satelite so they can put prices down better than the others.

Good information thanks ,hiring would be the go cheers mate ,

Great content, to the point

Tip for using Satellite phones: insert your regular GSM sim card to roam onto the satellite network. Individual calls/SMS are more expensive, but less expensive than annual subscriptions if you don't use them often.

Use RATEL (Radio Telephony) procedure when using a satphone by the use of prowords such as 'over' when you've finished your sentence and to let the other person know it's their turn to speak...'say again', 'out' and keep sentences short, clear and concise.

Inreach can send both preset messages and live messages as needed similar to texting.

I have a Spot Gen3, Love the tracking feature, every one can see what I am doing and if I am not moving or am off road. They now allow you to put your subscription on hold, so it's now monthly usage. I just program it with a msg about the people traveling with me to give a heads up just in case. Sat phone is the best just to expensive. 2 German guys set of an Epurb around lake Eire, the local cops called the nearest station to check it out, the fastest way, they only had a flat tyre.

Great info, surprised you didn't set one of the three off with those flies exploring your nostrils! I wonder if there is something else down the line. like a satellite that you pay to keep an eye on you!

Nice work. Could you also do a topic on radios if you haven't already? Car vs hand held, etc

New to your channel. Love it, great content.

You have a lot of snakes to worry about where you go. Personally, as a reptile keeper in the US, I love snakes and always on the lookout. Smart idea to be prepared. Thanks for the video.

Garmin mini is what i'm using... so simple, and you can text live and send preset messages.

Garmin inReach seems like the ideal mix of the Spot and satphone. $500 for the device, $25/m no lock-in contract with 10xSMS included, waterproof, can pair with a smartphone for 2 way messaging.

Good video Michael and some excellent points, but I think you will find that an EPIRB should really only be used in a marine application - you can get PLB's, such as the GME Accusat that you briefly showed, for land use (the only difference is that they only transmit a signal for 24 hours rather than 48 for the EPIRB, I guess because you should theoretically be easier to find on land than at sea). The SPOT definitely has more useful functions than the Accuset, but the ongoing costs are pretty steep, likewise for a Sat phone if you buy one straight out. IMO, the Satsleeve is a great option if you are going really remote. Oh, and the Accusat is monitored in Aus - the idea of relaying emergency activations from the US to Canberra doesn't thrill me. As I understand it, when an EPIRB or PLB is activated the signal is received in Canberra who then relay position and emergency contacts to the most local Police who in turn then mobilize a search & rescue effort using local resources. If something happens late in the day and you activate then, don't expect the cavalry until the next day!

I use GME 406Mhz PLB with GPS. It is half the size as the EPIRB in your video, and I usually bring it with me when I go 4WD, kayak-sailing, and hiking. But unlike yours, I only have to register it (for free) with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and there is no ongoing cost. But a PLB is not a substitute for an EPIRB. Out in the open ocean (or blue water sailing), I will still use an EPIRB.

The timing of this video is quite cool. I am currently looking for PLBs. I found a used InReach for 160€ which is awesome. Will cost me 50€ a year in subscription fees though when I only use it for one month a year.

If I was fired to only pick one, I’d go say phone. But lucky for me I have the sat phone & the spot.

Dam good advice 🤟👍👍👍

Thats a good idea to hire a PLB or a Sat phone . Did you mean to say STANDARD TELEPHONE or STANDARD MOBILE PHONE . Good vlog for people that are planning to SEEK ADVENTURE and stay safer :-)

Looks like epirb and sat phone for me.

I’d like to see instructions on how to use a satt phone. I once hired an Inmarsat one to try it out. It came with a few free calls included. But it was so hard to work out how to use it, I left it in the box! It sure turned me off ever buying one.

Recently bought a KTI PLB from eBay with discount for under $200. It comes with 10 years battery life, the longest among the major brands on the market.

One thing to note is personal EPIRBS are available in a lot smaller version than the big one shown here, i bought one and it stays in my door side pocket

Spot needs plan pausing, I'm sure more people would use it if they did. Also, those flies would drive me mental 😅

You can buy very cheap SIM card with little annual fee about $10 for thuraya satsleeve , it’s called Thuraya NOVA sim. Idk if it’s being discontinued or not, but even with standard sim it only costs $40 for a whole year subscription. Calls on Thuraya is about $1-2 per min which is not that expensive compare to iridium or Inmarsat. However cheap always means trade off, which is poor coverage on eastern states and on the sea in this case. I would reckon it if you travel in WA.

I have a spot unit and was a bit pissed off when they raised their subscription prices quite significantly this year.

G'day Mate, Thank you for this very handy info on the three options available. We already have a PLB & are interested in a Sat-Phone, did you purchase your's outright ??? & does Optus or someone else offer them in a 24 month plan, because that would be a good option for us (Being Retired now)

Well done, you make some good points. I, here in Canada, have a Jeep covered with antennas since I have an amateur radio license. I can do HF, VHF and UHF from the vehicle. Problem is that you have to have someone listening on the other end. We have a good network of VHF repeaters here in Manitoba that can be linked together but there still has to be someone on the other end. Sat phone is your best bet.

Thanks with the phone is it true you can’t make 1300 numbers like nrma or vacc etc and do you think it would be a good idea to say over after each sentence when using the phone? Great work l like your videos.👍🏼

I have a small tin, with cotten wool socked in lighter gel and some small pieces of bike tyer tube, flint and water proof matches. All off these will light a fire even if the brush/ wood is wet/damp... smock can be seen for miles...!

Seen a guy with a seek adventure stick at rainbow beach on Sunday

The SPOT is not a PLB it’s a tracking device that has an SOS function, a PLB is a small EPIRB used by bush walkers - they both have there place, I carry both.

For Thuraya, you get an Oz mobile number, expensive calling out but free to receive calls. So if you need help a text to have someone call you keeps costs down.

Did you inhale that fly that went in your nose haha!

5:53 "Bad Boys" you been watching too much Graham Cahill, that's his catch cry!

Here in Europe thick cloud and heavy rain can block sat comms..

EPIRBS are a Must especially on boats! Great video, I hope I see you out on the road, or on the beautiful Australian West coast waters one day! thanks for my own channel inspiration, see you in another episode!

Does the spot PLB use the mobile phone system or a satellite system? Just courious as it seems a bit pricy to me. Enjoy your videos. Regards Wayne

Michael the Spot you have is old tech. I have the Garmin inReach Explorer+ and it is easily the best unit out there. I can personally vouch for it as it has saved my butt on one occasion already. You can link to Bluetooth and send any message you like to anyone you choose and they can respond especially for those times when it is not really a life saving emergency ie. broken down in the middle of nowhere but just need someone to get you something to get going again. In an emergency situation like mine the response time was a couple of minutes asking what the nature of my emergency was and after I texted them the situation they responded that emergency assistance was on its way to my location. Nothing like a bit of reassurance that your message has been received. Saved my butt.

I had a spot and yes very expensive and very hard to cancel the subscription unless you ring them in the US in the middle of the night and even then it is hard. I had to cancel my credit card to stop them taking money in the end.

The new spot x does 2 way communication through sms and after the first year you can pre buy at a monthly rate. It is wayyy cheaper per letter/plan than a dedicated satellite phone.

Is that a sat sleeve rather than a separate phone altogether?

If all else fails what is the best thing to do? Often hear of people being stranded and sadly found too late.

Great topic 🍻🍻

Your Subscribers are getting up there mate... Good on ya! Did Ronny Dahl give you a invite to the Creators Section at the 4Wd shows

STOP UPLOADING SO DANG LATE AT NIGHT FFS GOD I TRY TO SLEEP AND THEN OH LOOK NEW VID THERE GOS MY NIGHT

Sat phone for me. Best form of communication.

Thanks for that. What's your thoughts on the new SPOT X? It's a bit expensive, but seems to be midway between the old SPOT and a satellite phone. I know you can't talk, but you can message back and forth. This seems to be an all in one device to me. Besides the price, are there any other drawbacks?

And again, I have to say Australia is a blessed country. Do you think 15 AUD per month for a satelite plan is too much? I wished I had such a plan for my ordinary cell phone over here in Europe.

cool

A Garmin Inreach mini 2 or maps 67 i’s are the best options

3:36 Cons? Looks like a child's toy and looks something a bit like an ice cream treat. *Obviously this has nothing negative to do with you, you didn't design the "Willy Wonka One Way Contactor". I've never 👎 any video you have made, you're a good guy! ✌️

A sat phone isn't really that bad thinking in terms of my regular cell phone I pay 140$ a month, 80$ to the plan and 60$ to the phone, even 50$ a month is good if your a avid outdoory person

I lost my mind when that fly went up your nose . .. can you redo this without the bugs?

I think mobile phones, will operate at very high power levels if you call 000, so you may still have a chance with a standard mobile phone. Perhaps someone can confirm this?

So can the Satellite Phone inform you or the recipient of the call your exact location?

Jonah: Good job I brought my EPIRB with me. five minutes later. god dammit

How he doesn't get bothered from those flies ...

What about Ham radio

There are cheaper radios with emergency signal features. When you press the button, it sends a signal that can be picked up by ally receivers even commercial planes can pick it up. Thats another option if all of these are too expensive for you.

The LEO (low Earth Orbit) networks (iridium and Globalstar) dont have the delay like the high orbit and geostationary systems like Thuraya. Not as bad at least. I have a Sat phone (Iridum), a Spot and an Inreach. The back end systems and web apps for the Inreach are absolute rubbish, the Spot is superior in this area. The only thing the Inreach does better is 2 way comms. One other thing, you can pause the Inreach.. that's a plus also, the spot you can't, and its expensive per year due to this. I come across a motorbike accident in central Australia, The PLB and Spot had been set off, but there was nothing better than calling 000 on the sat phone and talking to someone to organise the flying doctor to land on the road.. Its a funny feeling to hit that button, and then just take a breath and wait.. in the middle of the desert, no knowing what's really happening. After using that phone that time, I went and bought one. Another good clip. Thanks for creating it..

if you're dead in hours, how long will it take emergency services to find you when you are at least 500km from the nearest town when you set one off. This info is never supplied by any reviewer.

Not a bad video. So this is am exellent link & one I think worth putting in the description. beacons.amsa.gov.au/about/beacon-types.asp Assuming that you didnt have a sat phone with regards to UHF not sure if you know or not but emergency services including Police, SES, RFDS & some other rescue services do carry UHF & monitor Chnl 5 ( The UHF emergency Chnl ) so that "if" a chopper is over head looking for you & you are in a hard to be seen position you could communicate with the emergency chopper or aitcraft & maybe get help sooner. Regarding the cost of using a Sat phone so our company vehicles have the Isat II Inmarsat sat phones that have normal Aust mobile No.s so it gives you the ability to call someone & hang up then they can call you back for the cost of a normal mobile call ( what ever they are paying on their plan ) & lets face it 99% of mobile & fixed line phones come with unlimited mobile calls these days so that's a very cheap way to communicate using a sat phone. "If" you have a HF radio in your vehicle you can choose to check in with someone & tell them that you are leaving you vehicle for X hrs & walking in Y location & that you will check back in upon your expected return time of Z. At least that way "if" something was to go wrong & you had an accident & didnt / couldnt check back in someone would have a pretty good idea of where to come & look for you. Personally I think a good digital GPS PLB is an absolute must & then if you can afford it rent a Sat Phone, because if you get nailed by a snake the clock is ticking. Apply the neccessary 1st aid 1st & then set off your PLB & if you have it get on the Sat Phn. Great idea to have the emergency No.s of the emergency help services of where you are going inc'g the RFDS, & "Local Police" (how also use HF & (UHF even in the outback). You just never know you might see a road train or similar way off in the distance, theres a dam good chance that that truck is going to be on 40UHF. Whilst I realise & absolutley agree that carrying a toy 1w or less UHF is a compleate waste, carrying a good i.p.67 portable / hand held UHF for the sake of a few extra grams I beleive is so worth it, its just one more form of communication, sure maybe your last one, but one more all the same. It goes without saying that if you get out of your vehicle in the outback for any reason & are moving any further away than 1 Meter & especially if you are by your self, then there's a minimum kit you need on your person because if you get nailed by a snake you cannot just hoble back to your vehicle you are where ever you are until help arrives & if you dont have your minimum comms & neccessary 1st aid then there's a chance that you may not survive. Anyway keep up the good work enjoy your videos.

Dziekuje! Pozdrawia Polak z Perth :) send me your contact details please.

Stay well clear of the Garmin InReach, there can be a lag in message broadcasting and receipt. By the time the emergency message has got through the King Brown can have grand kids