Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting 2 oz you might want to add to your first aid kit

Ran across this article. The InReach does more than my ACR PLB does, and I'm going through the mental process of whether it is now worth it for me to upgrade capabilities;
https://www.outdoorproject.com/gear/sos-activating-scary-sos-button-my-garmin-inreach

...sorry for the tangent

I've been using my inReach for two years now; has worked flawlessly and I'm carrying it even on day hikes now too

Besides the obvious SOS messaging, when combined with your phone (and the Earthmate app- still free I believe) you have a fully functioning gps, you can two way text (made easier by the Earthmate app- you simply do it through your phone)

You have two flat tires in a day, and only one spare- send a text to your wife (or buddy or tire shop if need be) and let them know where you're at; you kill a big bull and want help packing it out- text your buddies to bring their packs and where

I've used it several times because I had to alter my route and needed picked up elsewhere- send a text, my wife texted me back "where is that trailhead?", sent another text explaining exactly how to get to it

You can use the tracking feature (selecting the interval of pings) and folks at home can watch your progress from their phones or computer; if you don't check in because something bad has happened- SAR has your last known location

I could go on, but I don't leave home without mine

+1 for the inreach (mini!). I run the cheapest annual package ($15/month). Works everywhere and zero issues over the two years I’ve had it.

Leaving exact trip itinerary, road network, trailheads and objectives (potential alternatives) with trusted, intelligent persons much more effective than depending on electronic savvy and gadgets.

1) They work in conjunction with a safety plan already in place.
2) Soloing for more than a couple days, I’m going to rely on “electronic savvy and gadgets”. If I go down and no one is expecting me back for another day or more, there’s a decent probability of death. Higher with each passing day.

I have a DeLorme Inreach that I bought when Garmin bought them out and added $100 to the price when they renamed it. I keep the service from May to the end of hunting season so that's about 6 months a year. I've never needed the emergency part but it is handy for letting the wife know I'm alive. It gives you 10 texts a month before it charges extra for them. I've never used them all.

Good luck with that beginner's attitude.

What is point #1 on my list?
Having two plans over one gives me a “beginners Attitude”!?

Everyone knows THAT.


Electronics can be good recovery technology, for sure. Be careful out there.

Dunno why / how, but your inspired me to order a couple. Thanks, I think? I hope it is like jumper cables and my tow strap, never needed them for me, used them many times helping others.

Tom