Hey all,
I've been watching the Coast Guard Astoria / Cape Disappointment series on youtube (coast guard rescues around the Columbia River in Oregon, what a nasty (and fun looking) place!). After watching the really easy rescues vs really hard rescues, it reminds me to prioritize a VHF radio.
Many of their distress calls come in from a VHF and the easiest rescues were ones where the victim talked the coast guard helicopter and guided them directly to themselves.
I've looked at some best-of lists but am wondering what radio people like and why? The comparisons make them all seem very similar.
Also, the FLIR camera is pretty awesome on the CG Helo's. This inspired me to look into a compact IR light. An IR light sticks out like a lighthouse from many miles away based on how the show makes it appear in the couple cases that had an IR beacon. They had some of their easiest searches when the victim had an IR beacon.
Im picking up 2 of these -
flashlight.nitecore.com/product/nu05mi ($27 on amazon)
They seem like a cheap, small and light insurance policy. I'm taking them with me hiking as well.