PLB

[LckyTylr]

Just a thought for everyone that has a PLB.

I was clearing out my access trail today with a chain saw. I had my SPOT strapped to the outside of my pack and had a chainsaw strapped to the pack as well. I'd clear out a few logs, then go back to my dirt bike and ride forward to the next set of logs. A few times, I was 3/4 of a mile away from my dirtbike and pack (just hiked the trail with the saw in hand). Other times, I was cutting logs within a few feet of my bike.

Today . . . I learned a very valuable lesson. My pack was leaning against my dirtbike about 10 feet from the log I was cutting. I made my two vertical cuts and the log sank and wedged the saw bar in the kerf. I didn't have any wedges with me. As the tree was across the trail at about a 45 degree angle, I had to cut a 10 foot section of log. As the log was about 20-22" in diameter, it was a pretty heavy piece even though it was very weathered. I jumped on the log, I kicked the log, I tried to push the log . . . and finally, I did the one thing that I KNOW I'm NEVER supposed to do. I wedged a pole under the uphill side of the log and used it like a lever to free the beast. As planned, the log came loose and as "the Law's of Idiots" go . . . it toppled me over and pinned my left shin down. I don't know how much this log weighed, but it was apparently significantly more than my dirt bike. When my 250 lbs dirtbike pins me down, I can use my other leg to kick if off of myself. This log didn't budge. I tried still had a hold of that pole, so I tried to lever the log off of myself but that I couldn't get enough leverage on it. I tried like hell to scurry out from under it . . . but "pinned" doesn't do the situation justice. I was a cat in a snare. Now, my dirtbike and pack . . . and SPOT were about 15' away from me . . . but they may as well have been left at home. I was pinned with my head on the down hill side of a very steep slope, if I had tried to catch a few zzzz's while waiting for SAR to come along, I could have had some serious circulation issues to my lower extremities. The situation could have been bad.

I finally resorted to using my fingers and the pole to dig my calf and heel out from under the log. It took me about 25 minutes. My fingers weren't exactly bleeding, but they are oozing now (typing is not fun). My only saving grace is that I always tell my wife where I'm going and when I'll be home. She knows that if I'm not home by xx:xx time, call the team (friends and family that are willing and capable of getting me out of a pickle).

It would have been a whole lot less nerve wrecking had I been able to reach my SPOT . . . just in case. If my leg had been pinned between the log and a big rock . . . I'd be spending the night up there right now and hoping like hell that my buddies would come get me in the morning.

So, morale of the story, don't keep your PLB in your pack or attached to your pack. Keep it attached to you, your belt, a cargo pocket, the arm band . . whatever you need to do, but keep it (literally) within arms reach.

[G Posik]

Well glad you were able to dig your self out. This is one of those situations where you must stop and think before you act. This is where I take some safety notes from work and have what we call "Tailgate meetings". Think about and talk about what you are getting ready to do. Think about all the what ifs before you put your plan in action. Glad you got out and are alright. The keeping the PLB on you is a good idea.

Glenn

[mtnmutt]

Thanks for the post.

I have gone between clipping my SPOT to me and keeping it in my pack. I started out clipping it to me and now it is in my pack in a dry bag. I am not sure how waterproof it is.

I do keep a whistle on me at all times.

[LckyTylr]

If you have the Gen II or Gen III SPOT, it should be waterproof. If you really don't trust it, I'd say put it in a ziplock . . . or double ziplock and keep it in a cargo pocket.

Whatever you do, keep it where you can reach it if you get pinned down or can't use your legs.