Deactivate & Dispose of your 121.5 MKz EPIRB 
In February of this year 121.5 MHz EPIRBs stopped being detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system making them effectively obsolete. Despite this the units are still detectable by many commercial aircraft and, if activated, can result in a full scale search and rescue operation. Due, in part, to a rise in false alarms from this type of beacon they will become illegal to use one for any purpose after 1 February 2010.
Although obsolete many people continue to carry or store serviceable 121.5 MHz EPIRBs either because they still haven’t got around to upgrading to a 406 MHz or, in other cases, may have simply forgotten that the unit is kicking around. Some discarded units are also finding their way in to garden sheds, bins, rubbish tips and household storage where they can become activated by accidental damaged or by children and members of the public who don’t know what the device does. Some activations are even the result of owners assuming it is now safe to turn on the beacon.
This situation has lead to a growing number of false alarms and AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) is urging all 121.5 MHz EPIRB owners to deactivate and/or dispose of these units correctly.
How to make you 121.5 MHz EPIRB safe:
- DEACTIVATE: Deactivation involves removing or disconnecting the battery from the unit rendering the device inoperable. Note please see individual manufacturer instructions relating to this and be aware that power sources can be dangerous if not handled correctly.
- DISPOSE: Battery World stores accept and dispose of EPIRBs Australia wide at no cost. This prevents units from getting into the wrong hands and ensured batteries do not pollute the environment.
Tags: gear, search and rescue, survival
