FAST FIND 200 series PLBs reach new heights in 40,000ft altitude test

McMurdo’s revolutionary new FAST FIND 200 series of personal locator beacons (PLBs) has now been independently tested and approved for stowage and use at altitudes of up to 40,000 ft. This news will be welcomed by mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders, back packers, lone workers and adventurers, an increasing number of whom are carrying the potential life saver. 

The FAST FIND 200 series now exceeds the requirement for Mount Everest , the world’s highest mountain at 29,000 ft.

FAST FIND weighs just 150g, and with dimensions of D 34mm x W 147mm x L 106mm it will slip into the smallest pocket or back pack compartment. Users can be confident of rescue if they are unlucky enough to encounter life threatening situations, even in the most remote parts of the world, whether land, sea or air.

FAST FIND complies with tough international standards. It operates on the global COSPAS SARSAT 406MHz search and rescue satellite communication system, which is supported by international government search and rescue authorities around the world. If it is activated the distress signal, once received, will be acted upon and fast. The FAST FIND is subscription free and does not rely on commercial call centres.

The mobile phone-sized FAST FIND PLB is available in the 200 model which is standard and the 210 model which has integral 50-channel GPS for additional pinpoint location, further speeding up time of location. Two further models, compliant for residents of Australia and New Zealand, are the 201 and 211.

FAST FIND transmits two signals simultaneously, one to the global 406 MHz satellite system. The other (121.5MHz) is a homing signal designed to speed up the local recovery response process. Once activated, FAST FIND’s signals will continue to transmit for at least 24 hours, at a powerful 5 watt output. The 406 MHz transmission ensures that a call for help gets through whatever the conditions.

FAST FIND also includes a unique SOS LED flash light facility which is manually activated to further assist in speeding up the user’s recovery during night time rescues.

FAST FIND will operate in temperatures down to -20°c and its integral battery has a user storage life of 5 years. McMurdo has produced emergency location beacons for more than 20 years. The company has used the latest developments and improvements in electronic design and manufacturing to produce its latest world beating personal location beacon.