Btgo Challenger In A Spot Of Difficultyb (from The Great Outdoors)

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TGO Challenger in a SPOT of difficulty

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A TGO Challenger, who was experiencing severe abdominal pains, was rescued today after a distress beacon was picked-up 4,000 miles away in the States.

The Challenger, from Denmark, was using a SPOT satellite tracker, as tested in the April issue of TGO.

The RAF, who co-ordinated the Danish man's rescue, said it was the first activation of this new type of distress transmitter in the UK.

Our Challenger, whose name has been withheld, became ill in Glen Etive, 15 miles south of Fort William. He activated the emergency 999 button on his SPOT handset and a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) text message arrived 4,000 miles away in Houston, Texas, at the GEOS Emergency Response Centre.

The centre then contacted police in Fort William, who alerted RAF Kinloss, who in turn sent a Royal Navy Sea King from Prestwick, Ayrshire to rescue the backpacker in Glen Etive. He was then taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort William where he is recovering.

Rescue co-ordinator, Flight Sergeant Tim Dickinson, told our sister newspaper, The Herald: "This was a perfect example of excellent cooperation between the police at Fort William and the military search and rescue services.

"We have rescued a Danish walker in the Scottish mountains following an emergency call from the USA, using a Royal Navy helicopter and co-ordinated by the Royal Air Force."

He said he would encourage the use of such systems by walkers and yachtsmen.

More information on the SPOT Personal tracker is available from the April issue of TGO or from the UK distributer at www.AdventureTradingPost.co.uk

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Posted by: Niels Vinther, Sunderland on 8:26pm Wed 14 May 08

The Challenger in the "SPOT" light

I am now at home after treatment in Hospital, and am fine, ant thanks to all well wishers.

The SPOT was bought as a spirit of the moment purchase, generally because I prefer to go it solo, and sometime has difficulties in keeping strictly to planed routs for many good reasons.... usually.
The attraction was primarily to keep friends and family updated on my whereabouts when out hiking, the 911 facility was only thought of as a peace of mind if accidents happened, never contemplating ever to have the need to use the facility "in anger".

Having had to use the 911 button as the last resort, was a very difficult decision as it also meant by a press of a button I was out of the TGO Challenge for this time, a decision very difficult to make, hence the delay of over 2 hours before having to finally give in to the severe pain related with passing a kidney stone through the system, for me never experienced before, but I am sure for individuals who have been there know what I am talking about.

However my reason for this note is to thank the whole rescue team for a "job well done" everything vent according to plan the coordination was fantastic, thanks again.

For who of you that already have a SPOT don't leave home without it, the rest of you who are considering buying one, give yourself and your family peace of mind, however NEVER use it to get home for tee time, like at sea, the 999 (911) is for emergency rescue only.

Niels Vinther

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