Will GPS help rescue me?

Question

Do all handheld GPS receivers allow rescuers to find your location when you are in trouble (injured in the woods), or is this a special feature found only on more expensive GPS?

Answer 1

they all send and receive signals, how ever unless you got means to let someone know your location, they don't know one signal from the other.
There for the software you ask of is only on the more advanced models.

Answer 2

No, a handheld GPS receiver is just a receiver. GPS receivers are designed to receive signals from the GPS satellites. Most GPS units cannot transmit signals of any kind.

Transmitting your location has nothing to do with price. It is a specialized feature that is only included on specialized devices that need it. I will list a few of the more common devices that can transmit your location.

* certain cell phones and/or certain cellular carriers
Enhanced 911 requires that all cellular carriers be able to report the locations of 911 calls from cell phones. The FCC is requiring this capability, but leaves the method up to the carrier. Some carriers use GPS, while some use triangulation from cell towers. However, you CANNOT depend on this for rescue! Most carriers do not support E911 yet. Most state and local 911 call centers do not support E911 yet either. Plus, if you are out in the woods, there probably won't be cell phone reception.

* certain handheld GPS walkie talkies
There are some handheld GPS two-way radios, like the Garmin Rino, that can transmit positions to each other. This can be useful if you are out in the woods and you get separated from your companions. However, it is unlikely that a rescue party would have one of these.

* devices used by law enforcement
Yes, there are GPS receivers/transmitters that can be used to follow suspects. There are also GPS bracelets used to track convicted criminals. I mention this for completeness, but it has nothing to do with rescue.

* various emergency beacons
There are a variety of emergency beacons for maritime, aircraft, avalanche, and other outdoor uses. The climbers recently rescued on Mt. Hood were wearing beacons of this type. Some of them use GPS, while some just transmit a radio beacon for rescuers to home in on. These are specialized devices and have nothing to do with ordinary handheld GPS receivers.

That doesn't mean a handheld GPS receiver is useless. It can keep you out of trouble in the first place. If used correctly, even the simplest handheld can get you back to where you started. If you use topographic maps with your handheld, you should be able to plan safe and efficient routes through the wilderness.

Technology should never be a substitute for common sense. Do your homework before you leave, let people know where you are going, always have a companion, and be prepared.

Answer 3

The only way a GPS can help you is if you read it properly, it does not send out a distress signal. If you are a hiker in the USA you should always carry extra batteries for your cell phone because quite a few hikers get lost. Most hikers think they are Daniel Boone and have no idea where they are at any given moment, that is why the GPS is handy. But if you break a leg while hiking you better have a cell phone and make sure that you are not in an area that has no cell phone service. In other words if you are from New York City, do your hiking in Central Park.

Answer 4

The leg mounted GPS trained St. Bernard dog is the model you may be after. It comes with a detachable whisky flask. They can be a bit bulky but their saliva trail will help you track your way back.

They don't do the "turn right in 300meters" routine though.

Answer 5

You would have to call for help on a cell phone and then tell them the latitude and longitude that is on your GPS receiver.

Answer 6

i dont have that on mine so naybe it is special. i do know that if you have a gps you shoulnt be lost in the first place. lol.