No Way Out but One: A PLB1-Led Forest Rescue

1 lives saved

Crash or collision

Mountain

Off-road

What happened?

I ended up activating my rescueME PLB1 on October 26, 2025, while mountain biking deep in the forest behind Rotorua. I was riding in dense bush terrain when I crashed heavily, resulting in a compound fracture of my ankle along with a dislocation. The location was remote, with thick tree cover and limited visibility, and it quickly became clear that this was not something I could manage on my own.

We initially contacted emergency services by phone, but due to the dense forest, they had difficulty pinpointing our exact location using mobile GPS alone. After some discussion, they asked us to activate the PLB1 to provide a precise distress signal. As soon as the beacon was activated, everything became more straightforward from a coordination perspective.

Help arrived roughly 30 minutes later, and the sense of relief when fire and ambulance personnel emerged from the bush is hard to put into words. I have carried the PLB1 religiously for years, often hoping I would never need it, but in that moment it proved exactly why I never ride without it. Knowing that rescuers were on their way made an incredibly stressful situation far more manageable.

Unfortunately, the area was too risky for a helicopter winch extraction, so the rescue team made the decision to stretcher me out through the forest. It was a slow and careful process, but it was handled professionally and safely from start to finish. I am now facing a few months of recovery, but I am extremely grateful for the outcome.

The PLB1 worked exactly as it should when it mattered most, and it played a critical role in getting me out of a very serious situation.

Words of wisdom

You, don’t need it till you do…  

Thank you note to the Ocean Signal team

Great device, compact and easy to use and worked when we needed it