How to Relay Information About Where You Are

Transcription

1 How to Relay Information About Where You Are Gary Ataman Five Winds Backcountry Ski Club President

2 Where Are You? When you are in the backcountry keep track of where you are. When incidents (i.e. late to bus) or accidents (i.e. someone is hurt) happen, you might need to make a phone call and relay information about where you are. Four methods to identify your location; 1. Five Winds map 2. Phone with GoogleMaps and other Apps 3. GPS Device 4. Satellite GPS Messenger Beacon Rescue Services may want location information in different formats (UTM to Latitude/Longitude Conversation websites) Emergency Numbers

3 Map & Compass and Paper & Pencil It is always a good idea to keep track of where you are. and gauge your progress, in case you need to relay your position to others. Get agreement (if possible) about where you are. Make notes on the map.

4 Five Winds Map The Five Winds Map uses the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) format. The Five Winds Trails are in the 17T zone. The earth is divided into 60 zones east to west and A to X zones south to north

5 Five Winds Map

6 Five Winds Map

7 Five Winds Map You can also describe your location; We are at the northern most bay on Lone Lake Just south of Portage Jct. on Lone Lake Near the cottage on Lone Lake

8 Cell Phone with GoogleMaps If your phone has data you can use GoogleMaps in satellite view to figure out where you are. If you select map My Location the software triangulates the different signal strengths from different cell transmitters and determines your current location. You can describe your location to someone you are talking to. Map view provides road details Satellite view shows terrain details (lake, ponds, tree coverage, hydro lines, trails and roads, boat docks and cottages, etc.)

9 Cell Phone with GoogleMaps Open GoogleMaps on phone with data Touch screen and hold for a second or two to Drop a Pin Read Latitude and Longitude in text box You can Share this coordinate and attach to a text message

10 GoogleMaps GoogleMaps allows you to right click on your location. Select What s Here? This will give you a latitude/longitude coordinate, , Is usually described as N , W , N = North and W = West

11 GoogleMaps This coordinate can be relayed to anybody and put in their GoogleMaps as N , W to see exactly where you are. It can also be typed into a GPS device to see where you are.

12 GoogleMaps Latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees should be used to communicate to search and rescue personal. However degree, minutes and seconds can also be used if SAR has a map of the area available. The coordinates can be inputted to GoogleMaps or other mapping programs and GPS units to figure out where you are.

13 UTM to Lat/Long Conversion Websites

14 UTM to Lat/Long Conversion Websites Using the UTM to Lat/Long conversation website to obtain the latitude/longitude in decimal degrees Plugging into GoogleMaps we see the coordinate location in satellite view

15 iphone Compass App The iphone comes with a built in compass and latitude/longitude and altitude App. Relay 43 deg, 52 minutes, 57 seconds north by 78 deg, 58 minutes, 8 seconds west. Your altitude is 100 meters above sea level Other mapping and tracking Apps are available.

16 GPS The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a global navigation satellite system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites

17 GPS A typical GPS unit can provide latitude/longitude or UTM coordinates data about where you are. Go to page that shows your satellites and read off the coordinates. You need to set your unit up to be in decimals, or degrees or UTM and tell the person on the other end of the phone what you are giving them. Ideally in decimals if they have GoogleMaps or UTM if they are using the Five Wind Maps. coordinate You can switch the coordinate system in the GPS coordinates setting menu.

18 GPS Lat/Long in decimal degrees N , W UTM Zone 17T Easting , Northing

19 Satellite GPS Messenger Beacon SPOT GEN3 and Delorme inreach devices uses satellite technology to let you send and receive text messages anywhere even if cell coverage is not present. Use it on its own, or pair it with your iphone, ipad or Android device to download maps and access GPS features and send and receive text messages Pushing the SOS button launches a search and rescue operation to your GPS location

20 5 Winds Website Information

21 5 Winds Website Information Click on the Forms & Documents link in the footer the bottom of each page of the website.