How to carry your PLB - Wilderness Magazine (2024)

Wilderness askedMike Hill from theRescue Coordination Centrefor his advice on where to carry your personal locator beacon (PLB).

He suggests to place yourPLB either in a zipped pocketof your trousers or shorts,or in a pouch attached toyour belt. He says cameraand sports shops willprovide suitable pouches:“These are not made specificallyfor beacons but thereis such a variety that yourbeacon will fit into at leastone of them,” explains Hill.

If these options aren’t comfortable, then Hill suggests the next best option is a securely shut shirt, fleece or jacket pocket(whichever you’re most likely to continue wearing). Wearing thebeacon around your neck is also a good place to carry it so longas you’re sure it won’t pose a snag or choking hazard.

“Our advice is that you carry the beacon where you can getto it in an emergency,” says Hill. “The last thing you want is thebeacon to be in something that you may be separated from.