Introduction

Regardless of the amount of preparation, sometimes distress situations still happen. Having the ability to alert search and rescue authorities as soon as possible increases your chance of a successful outcome. Carrying some sort of device to call or alert others to an emergency should be an essential part of your survival kit. Make sure your device is compatible with the activity and area in which you’ll be operating.

Advanced preparation is still required, however. It is critical to know both the capabilities and the limitations of the equipment you are planning to use as your lifeline to survival. In this section, you’ll learn about various technologies that are typically used to call or alert search and rescue authorities, as well as key points to consider when making your selection. Indeed, most people find that using a combination of technologies can be the best approach.