Impressed with (and grateful for*) the quick, accurate, and ultimately successful response here from local ems.
(I used to carry a cell phone with me all the time, but have slacked off on that practice. I may have to start again)
safe, warm, happy sailing, all ~
—
Thanks for posting. Glad all 5 were rescued.
Barrett
Yutes
zzholt
Until I read your comment, my lizard brain just kind of skipped over the "5 teens on an inflatable paddleboard in winter" part of the story.
btw, any old cell phone is capable of calling 911 if you are worried about drowning your latest iGadget. And another shoutout for Windsport Tracker, an Android app, that turns that old cell phone to a decent GPS device for you.
zzholt
Some people here have told me they have a SIM enabled Apple Watch specifically for this reason. I have considered something more like an EPIRB or personal locator beacon for being out in the gulf but haven't pulled the trigger. At the moment I just stick to daylight, close to where wind/current pushes me into shore soon enough, and have at least one whistle on me for boat traffic.
webguy
FoilDodo
That is pretty cool they were able to hone in using their phone gps.
If I sailed on the coast all the time I’d definitely invest in one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Explorer-Satellite-Communicator-Navigation/dp/B01MY03CZP/
Alan
aeroegnr
zzholt