Among the mountains in the UK mobile reception is quite often un-obtainable and this impairs any prompt rescue an injured outdoor pursuiter will receive. I learned of Personal Locator Beacons from a member of Equine Ramblers UK, after breaking a leg in an accident, who lives in Australia where they have been legal for use on land since 2003. The same goes for the United States of America.

On investigation I found that we could purchase them in Great Britain but could only legally use them for marine purposes, for example at sea or on land locked water and rivers. The unit has to be registered with the PLB registry and licensed for use with OFCOM. At present if you use one on land you can have the unit confiscated, be fined and even imprisoned for unlicensed use of a transmitter. My Australian friend cannot use hers when she comes to the UK.

As a result Equine Ramblers UK is camaigning for a change in the law to give all in the UK the choice of owning a PLB unit. Pease go to
http://www.equineramblersuk.co.uk/personal-locator-beacons.php where there is more information and a link to the 10 Downing Street petition.