Preventing False Alarms - ACR Electronics Cobham ResQLink PLB-375 Product Support Manual

8. False Alarms
Preventing false alerts
A false alert is any activation of the beacon, intentional or
otherwise, that does not result from a situation of grave
and imminent danger.
Be sure to do the following to help minimize false alerts:
Register your beacon. This does not reduce false alert
rates; however, when the beacon is properly registered,
the situation can usually be resolved with a phone call.
Be careful with whom you leave your beacon. Make
sure that they know how to use it, and that they
understand the ramifications of causing a false alert. A lot
of false alerts are generated by curious individuals. If you
notice the beacon is flashing the red or green LED and
strobing periodically on its own, this likely means it has
accidentally been activated and needs to be shut off and
reported.
The Cospas-Sarsat satellites detect distress beacon
transmissions immediately and locate the transmission
within a few minutes of beacon activation.
NOTE: If you report a false alert and the authorities have
not received the signal, do not be concerned. This may
mean that you were able to deactivate the beacon before
transmitting the signal.
False alert
A false alert must be reported to the search and rescue
authorities.
False alerts in the USA that are rectified must be reported to
the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) to let
them know that the situation has been corrected and
everything is fine. Responsibly reporting these events to the
AFRCC or your proper authority will not incur a penalty, but
deliberate misuse or not notifying the proper authority may
incur a severe penalty.
Reporting
Should there be a false alert for any reason, it must be
reported to the nearest search and rescue authorities. The
information that should be reported includes:
• The PLB 15-digit Unique Identifier Number (UIN)
• Time and date
• Duration and cause of activation
• Location of beacon at the time of activation
To report false alerts outside of the USA
national authority where your beacon is registered.
To report false alert in the United States
United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
(AFRCC)
Tel: 1-800-851-3051
, contact the
, contact:
15