WTB: Something with a distress signal

Hi,

I'm trying to find a solution for emergencies. VHF radio doesn't work for me as I am deaf. What I need is a hopefully low-cost solution to some sort of distress signal to let people know where I am and that I am in need of help. It doesn't need bells and whistles, just a waterproof device that I can press which contacts the Coast Guard and lets them know where I am.

Cheaper is better but I don't want to sacrifice safety for $$. I've looked into SPOT and DeLorne, and the reviews indicate they are very disreputable. And they are fairly pricey for my needs.

My VHF radio will send my GPS location as part of a distress call. Even if you couldn't hear them, you could state the nature of your emergency.

I would reconsider SPOT.  At least the newst generation SPOT or the most basic EPIRB.  Vhf with GPS would be another option as long as it has a distress mode.  Vhf would be the least expensive.  Flares are the least expensive and a must for any ocean going kayaker.

Forget VHF. Sending out DSC distress calls on VHF will not work, as you would not be able to hear the Coast Guard's acknowledgement or reply. Did they even receive your transmission?

Your best bet would be a personal locator beacon (PLB), since it is waterproof and can be manually activated or automatically activated in case of submersion. But it is pricey.

Just because you don't know your distress call was heard doesn't meant it doesn't work. If you are heard and the coast guard shows up, then it worked. I am not deaf, if the coast guard or another ship does not get my distress call I am SOL. If I didn't get an acknowledgement  I would keep sending. If I was deaf I would keep sending until someone shows up to rescue me. You would never know the personal locator beacon worked until someone showed up to rescue you, unless it has two way communication. On the other hand, the cheapest solution might be fishing with a buddy.

Just because you don't know your distress call was heard doesn't meant it doesn't work. If you are heard and the coast guard shows up, then it worked. I am not deaf, if the coast guard or another ship does not get my distress call I am SOL. If I didn't get an acknowledgement  I would keep sending. If I was deaf I would keep sending until someone shows up to rescue me. You would never know the personal locator beacon worked until someone showed up to rescue you, unless it has two way communication. On the other hand, the cheapest solution might be fishing with a buddy.

All this. And when you broadcast announce that you are deaf and that you will broadcast again at X interval, where X is a few minutes at most.

Be mindful when buying a DSC radio. Last year the Coast Guard terminated monitoring DSC calls in the 2 MHz band. They will now only monitor DSC calls in 4/6/8/12 Mhz bands.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/marcomms/2MHzDistressWatchkeepingClosureSafetyAlert.pdf

I rember reading a story from SD where the coast guard approached a boat with a deaf Capitan and crew. He made them terminate their trip and escorted them back to the dock where they were ticketed. The coast guard said the lack of hearing impaired all crew from being able to safely operate the vessel if they couldn't hear audiable signals. I don't know if it stood up in court but you might look into it. Amazed that no one has made a text capable VHF yet. I woul go with a spot3 or epirb. You can rent them from boatus.gov.

Lots of good suggestions.  I would add the best solution is to always fish with a buddy and stay close enough to monitor each other's activity.  Fishing in a group of 2 is OK but a few more in a group is even better.  The radio is a must but there's nothing better than friends to help out when things go bad.

easy fix == buddy system is the ONLY WAY to go. + VHF radio.

easy fix == buddy system is the ONLY WAY to go. + VHF radio.

easier said then done.been looking for a buddy for the last two years

easy fix == buddy system is the ONLY WAY to go. + VHF radio.

easier said then done.been looking for a buddy for the last two years

Even with the hookups posts here and all the NCKA get togethers? 

I rember reading a story from SD where the coast guard approached a boat with a deaf Capitan and crew. He made them terminate their trip and escorted them back to the dock where they were ticketed. The coast guard said the lack of hearing impaired all crew from being able to safely operate the vessel if they couldn't hear audiable signals. I don't know if it stood up in court but you might look into it. Amazed that no one has made a text capable VHF yet. I woul go with a spot3 or epirb. You can rent them from boatus.gov.

Yeah, I know the case you're talking about. The Coast Guard backpedaled after it was brought up to the highest ranking. So that is not a policy anymore.

Buddy system is nice, but it's somewhat difficult when a deaf person is involved. If my buddy needs help and I am not in his line of sight, he'd be SOL haha. That and if my buddy ends up incapitated for some reason, I'd want to be able to call for help for him as well.

I do use the spot system when I go hiking and fishing.  You can set it up before leaving with emergency contacts for authorities to contact and of course always tell your contacts where you are going.

You can use cell phone with an app that will allow you to send predetermined messages and emails with a click of a button at a low cost, but I usually don't use while on the water. You can also turn on tracking and you can give others permission to view routes. Having the GPS track your trip will help rescuers if something happens. But you can also use it to see how far you went or see past routes. 
   
I have had some signal issues while hiking but the newer ones have increased signal strength in woods and works okay.  Never had a problem with signal in ocean. 

There can be a delay and no way of knowing if message was received on the other end.  It will keep sending the emergency request until it is turned off.  You can tell it is on after pushing emergency button by looking at device which shows different color icons for different functions.This option works great if you are conscious and able to push the emergency button before things get bad. 

If things get bad were you can't push the button that's when you would wish you had a water activated unit.  Many larger boats have it and automatically send distress signals if they get wet.

I feel comfortable with a vhf, cell phone and a spot device.  With all three hopefully one will work and I keep phone in waterproof bag and other two on life vest. 

The spot device charges fees for the service like others,  but when I bought it it was the cheapest option for what I wanted.

I rember reading a story from SD where the coast guard approached a boat with a deaf Capitan and crew. He made them terminate their trip and escorted them back to the dock where they were ticketed. The coast guard said the lack of hearing impaired all crew from being able to safely operate the vessel if they couldn't hear audiable signals. I don't know if it stood up in court but you might look into it. Amazed that no one has made a text capable VHF yet. I woul go with a spot3 or epirb. You can rent them from boatus.gov.

I think you are referring to this:

http://www.jackinnis.com/deaf-boater.html