Serious injuries and fatalities can and do occur in flights involving small recreational and civil aircraft. There are also numerous flights where incidents have been avoided, but pilots have needed to ground their aircraft in locations far from the initial designated destination. To prepare for worst case scenarios, besides proper training, pilots are required to carry the appropriate safety and survival gear on each and every flight they undertake. Being prepared does make a difference. Here I’ll be discussing the necessary items that help in unwanted and unplanned situations.
Personal Location Devices
Communication is vital in any part of flight, more so if you’ve downed your airplane far from where you’ve intended. If onboard radios fail, you’ll need something to relay your location to search and rescue teams and authorities. Cell phones don’t make the cut in areas without reception, and there are vast landmasses in Australia where this is the case. A better and safer option is to have a personal emergency beacon or a satellite phone. These are GPS-equipped units that beam your precise whereabouts if you find yourself in a life-threatening situation.
Personal Emergency Beacons
Personal emergency beacons, otherwise known as personal locator beacons or PLBs are an indispensable part of any survival gear. Variations with different features exist for boaters, pilots and land-based adventurers to help make contact with rescue teams if or when an accident occurs. They work using GPS satellite networks to send a distress signal with the coordinates of your location. Signals are emitted on two frequencies reserved for rescue services, 406MHz and 121.5MHz anywhere in the world, with encrypted data about the vessel or craft involved. These units are specially designed and will work when immersed in water and still stay afloat, and aren’t affected by temperature extremes. Most can emit a constant signal for the duration of up to 48 hours, but batteries are built to last the lifetime of the product without the need of recharging. Personal emergency beacons are also equipped with a beacon or infrared strobe light to aid rescue teams during search missions in low visibility or at night.
These units are simple to operate, by activating the antenna and pressing the distress button. They are smaller than most mobile phones so easily fit in pockets, are lightweight and include mounting clips to attach to lifejackets and vests. Most don’t require a satellite subscription, but need to be registered with aviation authorities.
Satellite Phones and Messengers
Satellite phones and messengers differ from personal locator beacons in that they offer two-way communication. Units like Garmin’s InReach satellite communicators allow you to send and receive messages and emails, make calls, and actively track and share routes during flight. As with personal emergency beacons, they operate using GPS satellite networks with global coverage. They can also be synced with mobile phones, and a range of apps provides useful information, like maps, weather reports and aircraft routes and traffic.
These units are generally heavier and larger than PLBs but have the same sturdy and waterproof build. Batteries are also limited in comparison, with most phones having an operational time of 72 hours when transmitting signals at 10-minute intervals. Subscription fees do apply here with annual plans starting at $20 a month. Considering the safety and convenience satellite phones provide, this is well worth it.
Rescue Lights
Rescue lights are small, lightweight lights that shine beams of focussed light up to a distance of 20 kilometres. The location of your aircraft is visible at any time, day or night, making it easier for rescue teams. Most are built with waterproof casings, and batteries that can last up to two days. Unlike flares they don’t pose a fire risk.
Flashlights
Similar in purpose to rescue lights, a high-quality multipurpose laser flashlight with a high intensity beam reaching up to 3 kilometres helps at rescue missions at lower altitudes. These can also be used in flight for reading aviation charts and maps.
Matches and Knives
To start a fire, you’ll need waterproof matches or butane lighters. These will help in keeping warm and preparing meals. Also consider a utility or survival knife to break glass, puncture doors, cut cords or belts, and as an all-round tool in emergency situations.
Life Jackets and Rafts
If you regularly fly over water, then a life jacket and raft is a necessity. Self-inflating life jackets are ready to be used in a few seconds. Some will also be equipped with whistles like those on commercial aircraft. To keep safe and afloat for longer periods, a life raft is an irreplaceable piece of kit, that inflates quickly and can hold you and any passengers.
First Aid Kit
Aircraft medical and first-aid kits include anything from bandages and dressing for cuts, antibiotics, sickness and prescription pills, to blood pressure monitors and thermometers. Some will include basic survival gear like blankets, scissors and signalling mirrors. For legal requirement of first aid kits during flight see here.
Survival and emergency gear are prerequisites that need to be regularly checked before any flight. They can and will save lives, and aid rescue crews in bringing you home safe and sound.
