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With the recent disappearance of Steve Fossett, the importance of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) came to mind again. ELTs are just not a reliable method for locating a downed pilot or for that matter, are not available for a lost hiker, biker, or skier. Cell phones cannot be counted on either since service is not universal, they are toast if they get wet, and can easily be lost in an accident (in a car accident, my phone was found by accident 50 feet away in the grass). 

PLBs kept in a pocket will notify the neccessary organizations in minutes of who you are and where you are within a one meter circle. They are easy to activate, even for an untrained user, and unless you are dead, help will be on the way quickly and efficiently. No pilot should be in an airplane without a PLB plus they can use it whenever they are in the back country.

The cost of the PLB is the only cost. There is no monthly subscription or other service charge. You just register once a year and then know you can be found in an emergency.

You owe it to yourself, your passengers, and your love ones on the ground.

Read my article on 406 MHz PLBs at Aeromedix.com