Anyone Used Adventure Buddy?

[whynotwalk]

Has anyone had any experience using the "Adventure Buddy" trip intentions system in NZ? http://www.adventurebuddy.co.nz/ This is the DOC-authorised web intentions provider.

The basics of it look sound enough: (1) Plan your adventure >> (2) Tell us about your plans >> (3) Sign Out Safe After ... with the promise that "We look after you". Presumably they also collect some emergency details from you (eg who to contact if you don't sign out). But how is it for users?

And a second question: Is there anything similar offered FREE in Australia?

cheers

Peter

[icefest]

I just use the AMSA PBL page, 

Then they have my full trip intention if I push the button, and have contact details too. Seems the best for me.

[GPSGuided]

Had a look at AdventureBuddy and it's hard to fault it as a free service. I agree that AMSA's service is great but one needs to purchase a PLB or EPIRB to access. Otherwise, it's a case of reporting to the local police station and/or NP ranger station before and after the walk.

[Earwig]

I usually just leave a note on the fridge for my wife.

[andrewp]

AMSA don't provide anything slightly similar to the Adventure Buddy system in NZ. There is no monitoring and raising of an alarm if you don't return on time.

There is http://www.tripintentions.org/, but all it does is allow you to enter trip intentions on a web based form and email it to your 2 nominated contacts. It is up to your contacts to raise the alarm in the event of not returning on time. I suppose it standardises the trip intentions form. It says the information on the form was based on Vic Police recommendations.

[walkon]

I usually just leave a note on the fridge for my wife.

Ditto

[Strider]

Email to my wife for me. Can't get lost that way.

[Ellobuddha]

I send a text message outlying route, number in party, safety equipment and brief gear list - as in we have 4 season tents, PLB, clothing for extremes and plenty food etc and ETA back to phone service (with plenty wiggle room) to three relatives. They are the same three emergency contacts registered with AMSA for my PLB.

Hopefully one of them will notice if I havent contacted them. Its also handy I think as if PLB is activated and AMSA ring them to check, they are ringing the people who have my walk info which could only help to locate me in the event of a "moment". It would also assist authorities that it is a genuine activation.

I know it seems like a lot of detail but it takes five minutes and I know how important that added information is for SAR purposes.

To clarify - thats for overnight/multi day trips in Mountains etc, not a day frolick near home.