Personal Locator Beacon

Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are compact, life-saving devices designed to summon professional search and rescue assistance in a genuine emergency. Operating on the internationally recognised 406 MHz frequency, PLBs transmit a distress signal via the government-funded Cospas-Sarsat satellite network, which provides true global coverage. Once activated, your beacon sends your unique identification details and precise GPS coordinates directly to a Rescue Coordination Centre, allowing emergency services to respond quickly and effectively. There are no subscription fees to use this system, making a PLB a dependable, long-term safety investment rather than an ongoing expense.

While often associated with boating and offshore sailing, personal locator beacons are just as valuable in the countryside. In fact, they are an essential piece of kit for anyone spending time in remote or isolated areas where mobile phone signal cannot be guaranteed. Walkers, hikers, mountaineers, cyclists, anglers, field sports enthusiasts and rural workers all benefit from carrying a PLB. If you suffer an injury, become lost, or encounter a serious medical emergency beyond immediate assistance, a personal locator beacon provides a direct link to professional rescue services, even in valleys, mountains, forests or moorland where traditional communication fails.

Modern PLBs combine multiple technologies to maximise rescue efficiency. Integrated GPS or dual GNSS receivers (often using both GPS and Galileo satellites) calculate your position with impressive accuracy, typically within around 100 metres or better. This location data is transmitted globally via the 406 MHz distress signal. As rescue teams move closer, a built-in 121.5 MHz homing signal allows them to pinpoint your exact location on the ground or at sea. Many models also include high-intensity strobe lights or infrared strobes, improving visibility during night-time or low-visibility recoveries.

Unlike EPIRBs, which are registered to a specific vessel, a personal locator beacon is registered to an individual. That means it stays with you wherever you go - on the water, in the hills, or travelling off-grid. Compact and lightweight, PLBs are designed to be carried on your person, clipped to a belt, backpack, or lifejacket, ensuring they are accessible when needed most. Long battery storage life, typically five to seven years, and a minimum of 24 hours of continuous transmission once activated provide reassurance that the device will perform in a real emergency.

For anyone venturing beyond immediate help, a personal locator beacon offers something invaluable: certainty. Whether you’re crossing open water, exploring remote countryside, or working in isolated rural environments, a PLB ensures that if the worst happens, your distress signal will reach the people who can make a difference. It is a simple, robust and globally connected safety solution designed to protect you wherever your adventures take you.

Where can I buy a personal locator beacon?

We stock personal locator beacons from the industry's most trusted brands including ACR, McMurdo and Ocean Signal. Our entire range is hand-chosen by our expert team, who are on hand to help should you have any questions - contact us today!