> Is there not some sort of protocol about cancelling a "help I'm lost" mayday call to SAR?
Not to beat the dead horse, but SPOT has a "Cancel 911" and "OK Check-in" button that could normally indicate that.
I originally posted on this thread because Bee asked a question, Steve answered that question, and I thought Steve’s answer needed clarification. I explained how “Cancel SOS” works and pointed out that sending “OK” doesn’t send anything to the sheriff or other authorities.
We all know that some people go out unprepared and get themselves into trouble they should have avoided. We know that people who stupidly get themselves into trouble sometimes correctly use SOS to get rescued, rather than die. We also know that people use SOS when there is no real emergency and with no regard for the costs or risks of the resulting SAR. I didn’t address these issues because I was responding to Bee and Steve, not pontificating about personal responsibility.
If you are out in the wilderness, SOS may be the only way you can call for help. If you use SOS and later decide that you don’t need SAR, “Cancel SOS” may be the only way to communicate this. Why you sent the original SOS and why you changed your mind are irrelevant. What the sheriff should do or will do upon receiving the “Cancel SOS” is irrelevant. What you think the sheriff will do is also irrelevant. Sending the “Cancel SOS” is the best you can do with no other means of communication.
And I think that listing the mechanics of the Spot Cancel-SOS on an internet forum discussion of a cell phone emergency call without giving any opinion on is irresponsible
Dale, calling me “irresponsible” for simply providing factual information on an often-misunderstood feature of SPOT is being a jerk.
