Safety and Philosophy Tips 
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Safety Tip - Should You Bring a Cell Phone for Safety?
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Philosophy Tip - Is there a Place for Cell Phones in the Wilderness?
Should you bring a cell phone on your wilderness travels? While I’m unaware of any Wilderness Areas that outlaw cell phones, most land managers warn hikers to not depend on them because service is notoriously poor in most Wilderness Areas.  The controversy about the use of cell phones in wilderness breaks down to two basic arguments;

1.       They are not appropriate in a natural area that promotes self-reliance
2.       They save lives

I share the philosophical concern and wouldn’t be upset if cell phones were outlawed in Wilderness Areas. On the other hand with the advent of the smart phone which, besides the phone, can include a GPS, map, compass, book collection, and many other handy applications all in one device, they are incredibly handy.  Some of these applications may require a cell connection while others may not. I have frequently brought a cell phone on my backcountry travels for its camera and HD video capability. I have also frequently used my cell phone’s GPS although I generally find it to be inadequate because it quickly drains the phone’s battery. I usually carry an extra phone battery. During hunting season I frequently use a cell phone to keep in contact with my hunting buddies. I do not bring it for safety purposes although I would use it for such if it happened to work when I needed it. When I hike alone, for safety, I bring a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). I bring a SPOT, which is a sophisticated version of a PLB. Whether you carry a cell phone (smart phone or otherwise) or PLB I recommend you keep the following in mind:

1.       It may not work! PLBs are much more reliable than cell phones with cell phone coverage notoriously spotty in remote areas. Both can fail when you need them most. Plan accordingly.
2.       Don’t let an electronic communication device take the place of a good emergency plan! Make an emergency plan as if you don’t have a cell phone. Utilize a Backcountry Trip Planner and carry an Emergency Backcountry Search & Rescue Report form. If you bring a cell phone into the Wilderness and it works for you, great; it may speed your emergency care. If it doesn’t work, your plan still will.
3.       Don’t expect to do something stupid and then count on a cell phone, PLB, or other electronic device to rescue you. They won’t. Electronic devices don’t perform rescues; people do and risk their lives in the process.

To See Tip #8 click here
To See Tip #10 click here

Adapted from The Camper’s Guide to Outdoor Pursuits by Jack Drury and Eric Holmlund published in 2006 by Sagamore Publishing

Additional readings on the topic of cell phones:
 


Comments

(klondike) kerry newell
10/30/2011 10:25pm

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(klondike) kerry newell
10/30/2011 10:42pm

choosing effective communication tools or choosing not to (potentially) communicate (giving or taking) while in the wilderness is part of the process we use to follow the 'rules' or make the rules for ourselves.
if leading a dependent group with some liability issues and resources are sufficient and need potential is sufficient, then, taking due precaution or avoiding unnecessary risk may include taking satellite telephone as the tool of choice. they also have their electro-mechanical limitations. if my own is the only life involved and it is important enough to want to preserve if possible then i might choose to take the tool with me just as i have chosen appropriate footwear, bugscreen, protection from the expected elements, and location equipment. k.

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Doug
10/31/2011 10:34am

With liability issues as they are in this country, I do not believe any regulating agency would ever ban electronic communication devices in wilderness areas.
In the backcountry, it is up to the individual or group to decide how to use all the electronic stuff out there. For example; a group may need to carry a satellite phone to arrange a pick up at the end of a wilderness trip, but they can decide to use it only for outgoing communication when necessary.
My tendency lately is to use fewer electronics in the backcountry, instead of more. When traveling in familiar areas I don’t bother with the GPS. It tends to be a distraction that I can do without.
There is no substitute for a real map and compass. They don’t require batteries and if you know how to use them they will not fail.

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Jack Drury link
10/31/2011 8:32pm

Great observations gentleman. I generally agree although ultimately I think the definition of Wilderness needs to determine the level of liability and not the dependency of the group.

I agree that ultimately the individual determines what her or she should and should not bring but the decision making gets much more complex as technology advances in terms of what is and is not appropriate in the backcountry. As a result management may start addressing the issue at some point. I have read essays about "no-rescue Wilderness Areas." We're seeing similar discussions regarding technology in the wilderness.

As a side point. One of the main reasons I bring a GPS is purely selfish. I like to plot the track on the map when I get home and print it for posterity's sake. I have a three-ring binder of print outs of many of my trips. It makes for a nice historical record.

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