My Hiking Equipment to keep me safe

On this page, I will show the hiking equipment that I take on every hike, whether it’s two or 25 miles long.
Some things always have to go; others can stay behind on longer hikes. Since I am training for the longer ones, I have it all with me as I prefer the real stuff over weighed bags.

ACR ResQlink Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

My most important item to go hiking is a PLB or Personal Locator Beacon.
This is an older model and I got it 2nd hand from a PLB rental store that was closing down. The battery life is five years of non or one-time usage. So the time is stamped on the back, and I have to get the battery replaced in I believe two years.
These devices need to be registered with NOAA and the registration is free but has to be renewed on a regular basis. I believe it’s every year or every two years. On there, you can add an emergency number so when you activate it they will call said number and ask whoever answers for more information and to tell that contact that your PLB was activated.
I got a protective pouch for mine and carry it on every hike even the ones where I should have cell phone coverage. You never know when your phone stops working and this PLB doesn’t use the battery for anything but when it’s activated, so there is a very high chance it can get help when your phone for whatever reason stopped working.

3L CamelPak for drinking water

I always have a Camelbak with me as they are a great water source and fit in most backpacks.
Since you should take a sip of water every couple of minutes such a drink system works the best. On here I don’t show the water hose that comes from the backpack to the front but you can Google them and see which one fits you.
Now I tried different companies and I stick with Camelbak as they work the best for me.
Also, I strongly recommend only putting water in them as they are hard to clean when you add juice or other sticky stuff.

Motorola Defy Satellite Messenger

The Motorola Defy Satellite Messenger is relatively new, but the company selling it has already ceased operations. Fortunately, the service provider remains operational, and I’m hopeful that another entity will take over this valuable product due to its excellent service and compact design. It’s comparable to the Garmin inReach but is more affordable and compact. I’ve been using it for several months during my hiking adventures, particularly when I needed to communicate with loved ones in areas without cell service. I plan to continue using it as long as the service remains available and will provide updates on its performance.

Light Emergency beacons

When it comes to being rescued, many believe it’s challenging for helicopters to locate individuals. To enhance my visibility, I equip my drone with anti-collision lights visible up to three nautical miles. Additionally, I carry similar white and red light beacons in case of emergencies. These lights have a runtime of several hours and can be recharged using a cable and battery pack, ensuring prolonged functionality. As I plan to embark on longer multi-day hikes, I intend to carry a solar panel for sustained power, although I haven’t found a suitable one yet.