VHF Poll

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by Skip

Dialing 911 on your cell phone instanly transmits your location, usually accurate to within meters, to the 911 call center. This information is then instantaneously transmitted electronically and via voice to the nearest responders that would be necessary to go to your emergency. The constant inference that there are serious delays when you call 911 are again not only inaccurate, but could prove deadly if you listen to this bad advice.

Strike a nerve did we?

I think you may have stretched some inferences but I must challenge you on your declaration.

First, nobody said not to call 911. We are discussing the need of aid (degree of which was not specified) while on the water. An overheated boat is not an emergency while a drowning or cardiac event is.... When you press the talk button on Ch 16 you are in essence making your 911 call to MP with the added benefit of alerting anyone on the water of the situation who may be nearby and able to assist.

Second, I have served in the fire-rescue as a FF-EMT(I) as well as at a major medical center in cardiac care both clinically and in research. I can't even begin to tell you the number of times I've seen centralized 911 calls get screwed up with the wrong agency, equipment, and location dispatched. That is delay.... It's part the callers fault for providing inadequate details of the situation as well as the 911 operators lack of local knowledge. Example1: 911 dispatches to the wrong town because of the callers location even though another town may be closer to the scene, etc.
Example2: You call centralized 911 who then dispatches MP. That is slower than hailing directly to MP.

A cell phone is a risky proposition in the Lakes Region. I have AT&T and it's very common to have no phone service. The cells phones are nice when they work but the VHF is a much better option in an emergency.

Not trying to split hairs. By all means people should call 911 ASAP but while on the water a call via VHF has several benefits. If you have multiple passengers have one call on VHF and one on the phone. It would be interesting to see if they would dispatch the same agencies and have the same response tree......