FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

Death of Mt. Hood Climbers Prompts Immediate Availability of Personal Locator Beacons at Nominal Cost
Hand held Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) use satellite technology to locate individuals lost, injured, or stranded in the wilderness.

MUKILTEO, WA. January 5, 2010 – In response to the deaths of 3 climbers on Mt. Hood in December, PLB Rentals, LLC has announced rentals of PLBs at a nominal cost ($5 per week) to anyone wishing to carry one while engaged in activities on Mt. Hood or anywhere in the Cascade mountain range this winter.

“After hearing about the loss of 3 more climbers on Mt. Hood, we felt compelled to do whatever we could to get PLBs in the hands of anyone who might die on this mountain”, said Kevin Stoltz, President and Co-founder of PLB Rentals, LLC. “The loss of 3 climbers in 2006 was bad enough, but to have a repeat 3 years later under similar conditions is something I believe was preventable.”

After the deaths of 3 climbers on Mt. Hood in 2006, legislation was introduced in Oregon to require emergency beacons during the winter months on Mt. Hood above 10,000ft. The legislation was strongly opposed by some in the climber and SAR (Search and Rescue) community due to the perception that some may take unnecessary risks if forced to carry a rescue device. Stoltz counters with data from the PLB Rentals, LLC database which clearly demonstrates the opposite. “Many would argue that a person who climbs a mountain in the winter is taking an unnecessary risk. It only makes sense to prevent an unnecessary death by carrying a PLB – just in case. ”

Stoltz hopes the discounted rate will encourage all adventurers to carry PLBs in the winter but acknowledges it will likely take some kind of legislation as well as cooperation from county, state and federal government agencies to prevent additional deaths in the future.

Stoltz also points out that many other devices are incorrectly referred to as PLBs. “As emergency rescue devices, PLBs are superior in every way but we need to do a better job of informing the public about the differences.” Weighing in at 10oz or less, PLBs are activated by the individual in distress. Once activated, the PLB sends a distress signal and location information to satellites orbiting the earth. PLBs use both satellite Doppler technology and GPS to ensure reliable location coordinates are transmitted. Within minutes the satellites transmit the distress information to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center who coordinates the rescue effort with the appropriate Search and Rescue agency.

The special Mt. Hood/Cascades winter adventurer discount represents a 90% discount off the normal $59 PLB Rentals weekly rental rate. To receive the special discounted rate when used on Mt. Hood or in the Cascade mountain range, use the MTHOOD discount code at PLBRentals.com through March, 2010. The weekly rental rate will be $5 plus a one time $5 shipping charge.

PLB Rentals, LLC is the leading provider of on-line Personal Locator Beacon rentals in the U.S. Since 2003 PLB Rentals, LLC mission has been to provide an easy and inexpensive way to get PLBs in the hands of adventurers who might need them.