False Alarms - ACR Electronics SARLink SOS-300 User Manual

False Alarms

Preventing false alerts
A false alert is any emergency SOS activation of the 406 MHz distress signal, intentional or
otherwise, that does not result from a situation of grave and imminent danger. A false alert can
also be initiated by inadvertently activating the Iridium-Only SOS mode when an emergency does
not exist. In case of inadvertant activation, follow instructions in "Emergency Deactivation" section
of this manual.
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 and the Cospas-Sarsat satellites detect 406 MHz 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 406 MHz false alert must be reported to the search and rescue authorities (see contact
information at the bottom of this page).
406 MHz 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 406 MHz false alert for any reason, the information that should be reported
includes:
• The beacon 15-digit Unique Identifier Number (UIN)
• Time and date
• Duration and cause of activation
• Location of beacon at the time of activation
To report 406 MHz false alerts outside of the USA
, contact the national authority where your
beacon is registered.
To report a 406 MHz false alert in the United States
, contact:
4
United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC)
Tel: 1-800-851-3051