How to Keep Your Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) in Working Order

Keeping your PLB in perfect working order

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a last-line emergency device. It is designed to function after other systems have failed and when self-rescue is no longer possible. Because it may sit unused in your pack for years, proper storage and maintenance are essential. A PLB does not require daily attention, but it does require deliberate care. Storage, battery management, testing discipline, and registration accuracy all contribute to reliability.

Backpack storage: The do’s and don’ts

Backpacks are a common storage location for PLBs. However, how you carry it affects both accessibility and durability.

Beyond the backpack: Alternative carry options

In some situations, your pack is not the best place for a PLB. If you remove your pack during a break or short exploration, you risk separation from your emergency device. Consider:

• Waist belt or chest harness: Keeps the PLB attached to you at all times. This is often the most reliable option.
• External harness pouch: Improves access speed and visibility for others in your group.
• Dry bag: Provides additional moisture protection, but avoid overpacking the bag or compressing the device.

Accessibility matters. A PLB buried deep in a pack is slower to deploy under stress.

Battery care and servicing

PLBs typically use lithium metal batteries with a service life of five to ten years. Unlike rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, these are designed for long-term storage stability. To maintain reliability:

• Check the printed battery expiry date regularly.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat, such as inside a vehicle.
• Follow manufacturer servicing guidelines.
• Do not attempt unauthorised battery replacement if specialist servicing is required.

Even if a self-test light activates after battery expiry, this does not guarantee full emergency performance. Replace batteries before expiry, not after. For testing procedures, see: Testing your personal locator beacon (PLB).

Preventing false alarms

Accidental activation can divert search and rescue resources away from genuine emergencies. To reduce risk:

• Understand your beacon’s activation process thoroughly.
• Ensure the activation switch is properly secured during transport.
• Avoid storing it where pressure or movement could trigger deployment.

If your beacon is accidentally activated:

• Turn it off immediately.
• Contact AMSA on 1800 641 792.

There is no penalty for accidental activation, but prompt reporting prevents unnecessary escalation.

If circumstances change after activation

If you intentionally activate your PLB and your situation improves: Do not switch it off immediately. Instead, attempt to establish two-way communication via mobile phone, satellite communicator, or 000 if available. Confirm directly with authorities that rescue is no longer required. Only then switch off the beacon. This prevents confusion within the search and rescue system.

Registration and system readiness

A PLB’s reliability extends beyond the device itself. Registration is a critical part of the system. Ensure your beacon is registered and current with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Registration allows authorities to quickly identify you and contact emergency contacts. You can also review: Preparing your PLB for your next hike. A maintained PLB is a reliable one. A registered PLB is a faster one.

Final note

A PLB is not complex equipment, but it is critical equipment. Keeping it protected, serviced, and ready requires very little effort compared to the consequences of failure. Your PLB is a safety net, not a strategy. Maintaining it properly ensures that if you ever need it, it will perform exactly as designed.

Additional resources

• Registration: Register your PLB with AMSA
• Testing: How to test your PLB safely
• Maintenance guide: PLB Tips Guide (AUS/NZ)

Reference: Australian Maritime Safety Authority