Personal Locator Beacon Leads Kayaker to Rescue

Lives saved

1

Boating

Ocean

Boat Sinking

Rogue wave

Boating

Personal Locator Beacon Leads Kayaker to Rescue

26.801820184551°N, -80.039745330811°W

Posted on March 9, 2023 by DAVID BREWER

What happened?

I am a 70 year old heart transplant recipient. When on a kayak fishing trip and on my return a rogue wave from a passing super yacht tipped my kayak over and it immediately sank. I attempted to tight the boat but it was to heavy for me and I had to give up. Thankfully I was wearing a personal locator beacon.

David fishing off the coast - wearing his personal locator beacon. — David Fishing Off the Coast of Florida

I didn’t know that my Personal Locator Beacon automatically activated when I hit the water. There was no one near to see what happened to me so I stayed with kayak as about a foot of the front of the boat was still afloat.

David and his wife enjoying a hike. — David and his Wife

I had to wait but apparently the beacon went off it alerted the Coast Guard in Miami and the contacted local marine resources to rescue me. I was told they had activated a helicopter as well as marine units to the location my PLB went off. The next day they brought my kayak to the Coast Guard docks for me to take home.

Words of wisdom

Kayakers always wear a life jacket and if you don’t have one get a PLB and clip it to the vest. Don’t just have it in the kayak wear it. You will not be able to put it on if you are in the water.

Thank you note

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I would not have survived if not for the beacon.

Rescue location

Riviera Beach, FL, USA

Rescue team

Coast Guard

Previous Next

ResQLink™ 400

Go to product details

$369.95

Small but resilient, the ResQLink 400 has been professionally engineered and tested to ensure it can withstand even the harshest elements. This buoyant Personal Locator Beacon requires no subscription for use and can be utilized to enhance your safety in a wide variety of environments. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, trust that the ResQLink’s satellite precision and military durability, put rescue in the palm of your hands.

Features and Benefits:

No Subscription Required
GPS and Galileo GNSS
Built-In Buoyancy
Strobe and Infrared Strobe
Global Coverage
MEOSAR Compatible
Small and lightweight
5-year battery life
24+ hours Operational Life**
Multi-function Clip System Included

**Based on test report from an accredited laboratory WARNING: PROP 65

Select Country	Clear

Find a dealer

SKU: 2921 Category: Marine, Outdoor Tags: 2921, 406, 406 MHz, 66 channel, acr, acr personal locator beacon, beacon, buoyant, buoyant plb, climbing, easy activation, first responders, fishing, floats, gps, gps beacon, gps locator, gps trackeer, hiking, hiking beacon, hunting, kayaking, land, latest model, life saving equipment, nearshore, Outdoor, personal epirb, personal locator beacon, PLB, resq, resqlink 400, small beacon, survival beacon

ResQLink™ 400 saves lives

Survivor Stories

Rapid Response: The Heroic Efforts Behind a Wilderness Rescue Mission

Walking through Pam's Path, a narrow track with loose stones, Holly stepped over a large rock, causing her left foot to slip sideways down the slope. Hearing a crack and feeling pain immediately, she knew her ankle was in trouble. With no way for Mal and Isy to assist her on the narrow path, and Holly unable to put any weight on her injured foot, we utilized walkie-talkie contact with Rebecca, our host at Kawakawa Station. Rebecca phoned 111, and upon advice, we set off our ResQLink 400 PLB as we were in a location requiring a helicopter rescue.

Read Full Story

A Young Adventurer's Humbling Lesson: The Unexpected Value of Preparedness

As we ascended, things got snowy, and we realized we were in over our heads. Blind optimism turned into a realization that we were on steep snowy slopes above bluffs.

Read Full Story