I will show you in this Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 Review how this small Personal Locator Beacon can save your life. It’s important to always have an emergency beacon on you when heading into the great outdoors.
Breakdown of what the RescueME Offers
- SOS Distress Call
- Fast Accurate Positioning
- Waterproof
- 7 Year Battery
- High Intensity Strobe Light
- Homing Beacon
- Compact & Lightweight
- No Subscription
Let’s take a closer look at this powerful Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
SOS Distress Call
The Ocean Signal RescueME has a powerful SOS signal with a retractable antenna. No matter if you are on land or sea, the Global Cospas Sarsat rescue system will pinpoint your location and send your information to Search and Rescue teams (SARs) in your area. If you’re in trouble or have severe injuries, you can activate the RescueME with one hand. With the flip of the protective cover, you can easily call for help, anywhere in the world.
Fast Accurate Positioning
The Ocean Signal RescueME sends out a signal to the rescue coordination center via satellite where the team will quickly relay your information to local rescue teams. Your homing beacon and LED strobe light will help the SAR teams reach you more quickly. The local search and rescue teams will be advised regularly of you current location.
The approximate accuracy of the system is within 5 nautical miles, but is usually much better.
The rescue system is overseen by NOAA. Here is some additional information about them.
Here is a map of the searches that were ongoing and being monitored by NOAA at the time this article was written.
This goes to show you how many thousands of people around the world rely on SAR teams but the sad part is, how many people don’t get rescued or have to wait longer because they didn’t have a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or an Emergency Satellite Messenger (ESM)?
Waterproof
The RescueME is waterproof to 50 feet at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. See the full specifications Here.
7 Year Battery
The battery is a Lithium Primary Battery and uses Manganese Dioxide (LiMnO2). It will last up to 7 years, as the battery is not being used until activation, and the battery will last at least 24 hours after activated. The battery life is based on a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
The battery must be replaced by an authorized dealer. You will have to contact the distributor in your area. The battery replacement cost is typically under $50.
- 7 Year Battery Life / 7 year warranty
- 24+ hour operational life
- Free to use, no subscription charges / Supplied with free flotation pouch
- High brightness strobe light >1candela
- 66 channel GPS receiver / Unique mounting clip
High Intensity Strobe Light
The RescueME has a high intensity strobe light, rated at over 1 candela. The strobe light is a necessity as the accuracy of the positioning is only to within 5 nautical miles. The strobe will definitely help the SAR teams pinpoint your location when they get close to you.
Homing Beacon
The homing beacon will help the search and rescue teams to locate your position once they arrive in the search area.
Compact and Lightweight
It may be difficult to find a smaller or more lightweight emergency locator than the Ocean Signal RescueME. It has a weight of 4.09 ounces. It is 2.95 inches tall by 2.01 inches wide by 1.28 inches thick.
The RescueME just might be smaller than your wallet, but it will be more valuable if you find yourself in a life-threatening emergency.
No Subscriptions
I would like to leave you with some great news. Many other emergency location devices have an initial purchase price, PLUS, a monthly or annual subscription fee.
The Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1 only has the initial price and requires no subscription.
My Final Thoughts
There are many types of personal locator devices and emergency satellite messengers available. They range from SOS locator beacons only to a full satellite messenger with navigation.
The Ocean Signal RescueME is a powerful, yet compact and lightweight personal locator beacon that may be perfect for you but you need to look at how you will use it and what your needs are. The RescueME can be used on land or sea, but my personal opinion is that it may be better for someone on a large body of water and not on land, especially in the mountains.
I would love to have the RescueME on a hike or backpacking trip if that was all I had but this would not be my first choice as I do most of my outdoor excursions in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado.
Please Email Me with your questions or thoughts on the Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 or Leave a Comment Below.
You can also explore more Satellite Messengers models HERE or Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) HERE.
- 7 Year Battery Life / 7 year warranty
- 24+ hour operational life
- Free to use, no subscription charges / Supplied with free flotation pouch
- High brightness strobe light >1candela
- 66 channel GPS receiver / Unique mounting clip
If you would like to see ALL the Satellite Messengers in another review, check out my Emergency Radio Reviews.
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Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1
Pros
- SOS Distress Call
- Compact & Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
- Global Satellite Network
- No Subscription Plan
Cons
- No Messaging
- No Navigation
- Accuracy
Great and helpful article about Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1. I’ll tell you what…earlier today, I went hiking in a place I’ve never been to before. That was not scheduled it was a decision of the last moment but unfortunately, I had no food with me. Problem is, my blood sugar can drop dramatically and go into shock. With no food, I was exposed to danger. Now I realise the importance of being organised and having the proper equipment if something goes wrong. Well done, I like the product!
You and I have both been in similar situations. We don’t always plan for every occasion and we think a real quick hike is always going to go perfectly as planned or unplanned.
I use to go hiking all of the time without a personal locator beacon or an emergency satellite messenger but not any more. Maybe I’m getting older and realize I’m not invincible and sometimes it takes longer to get over rough terrain, especially at high altitudes.
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment.
Rick
The site is wonderful. Great graphics, Beautiful pictures you personally took in Colorado. I enjoyed the reviews on the Rescue Beacons. I found your topic very interesting. I had to ask myself how could anyone get lost using some of these devices. I see a big difference in the signals from one product to the next, but I gotta tell ya, I would purchase the PLB1. I don’t think there would be a problem locating anyone who had one of those.
I also enjoyed the Trails you shared on your site. The pictures tell a great story of the beauty Colorado possesses . There are still places that we can go that have been kept the way they were meant to be. There are dangers of course in just about everything we do, but being lost in the wilderness, out west would not be fun without some sort of locator device.
I feel like your site has offered 2 great topics. The first being the Reviews, The second being the hiking trails. Wonderfully designed.
Thank you for the great read,
Wendy
Thank you for the feedback on the beacons, messengers and the site. To me these go hand in hand and I don’t head out to the mountains unless I have a satellite messenger on me.
I love hiking and seeing all of the beautiful areas in the mountains but I have been surprised at how much I enjoy writing and videoing the areas also.
Rick