Survival in the Palm of Your Hand

Survival in the Palm of Your Hand

27 August 2014
Immediate Release

As the warmer summer weather approaches, boats, kayaks and personal watercraft are coming out of storage and thousands of kiwis will be taking to the water.

Before hitting the water this coming boating season, why not equip yourself with a ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon or a GlobalFix Pro EPIRB from ACR Electronics and right now both devices are more affordable than ever.

The ResQLink+ 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is New Zealand’s number one selling PLB and offers a lot of punch in the smallest, lightest and inherently buoyant package.

It combines ease of use and ACR technology to give marine enthusiasts a powerful, durable and accurate safety companion, ready for action at the simple push of a button.

We all have mobile phones, but out on the water they can be too delicate and often have unpredictable reception. Whilst you may be about to send a distress call via a VHF radio, sometimes accidents can happen suddenly and you might not have time to call for help, but you will have time to activate your ACR ResQLink PLB or Global Fix Pro EPIRB.

An ACR ResQLink is small enough to fit in your pocket or attach to your life jacket, yet powerful enough to activate assistance from rescue services in a matter of hours. The ResQLink has three levels of integrated signal technology, GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal, and 121.5MHz homing capability that quickly and accurately relays critical emergency position to a global network of rescue satellites.

Available in floating and non-floating versions, and once activated the ACR ResQLink 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon will guide rescuers to within 100 meters or less of your position in a life-threatening emergency.

The onboard 66 channel GPS can quickly fix the sender’s position to within 100 metres and then utilizes a powerful 406MHz signal to relay the distress call to orbiting satellites. As local Search and Rescue is deployed, a separate homing signal and integrated LED strobe light guide rescuers to the sender’s exact position.

The great thing about a PLB is that you can be using it one weekend if you’re out in the bush hunting or tramping, then have it with you the following weekend when you’re out on the boat.

The GlobalFix Pro is a sophisticated unit at a cost effective price that broadcasts a unique registered distress signal that not only tells rescuers where you are, but who you are. The internal GPS will automatically turn on and acquire your position upon activation and then utilizes a powerful 406 MHz signal to relay your distress call to orbiting satellites. As local Search and Rescue is deployed, a separate homing signal and integrated LED strobe light guide rescuers to your exact location.

The GlobalFix PRO is available in either Category I or a Category II configurations.

A Category I beacon automatically deploys when a vessel sinks. The beacon floats free at a depth of 1.5 to 3.0m. The EPIRB can be manually activated while in its bracket or manually removed and activated.

A Category II beacon is manually deployed. The EPIRB will automatically activate when removed from its bracket and comes in contact with water, or when it is still in its bracket but a person has lifted the switch to the activation position.

The ACR ResQLink has a suggested retail of $599 and the GlobalFix Pro retails for $649. Both devices have no monthly service fees.

Earlier this year Jeremiah Shaw of Christchurch, an ACR Electronics Survivor Club member went kayak fishing with his friend at Bank’s Peninsula. The warm weather and calm seas took a turn and both men were facing hypothermic conditions. Mr. Shaw activated his ACR ResQLink PLB and was rescued within a matter of hours.

“Within an hour a rescue helicopter appeared. Without the beacon we would have been in for a long cold night without shelter or warmth, and would have been extremely hypothermic by morning. We were only going out for a short kayak and so glad we had the beacon with us. An amazing piece of kit.”

Buy an ACR ResQLink PLB between now and December 31 2014 at any authorized New Zealand ACR retailer and receive $50.00 cash back as well as a free safety pack.

Details in store or for your nearest retailer visit: http://www.hutchwilco.co.nz/retailers

ENDS

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