EREZ,
Whoops there goes another typo. Sorry for the fat fingers. Its not EIPRB. It should read EPIRB. It stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio.

The EPIRB is the maritime version oft he ELB Emergency Locator Beacon or ELT Emergency Locator Transmiter if your in the UK. ELB/ELTs are a small radio transmitters installed in to aircraft's structures. They are automatically activated by impact or water immersion.

EPIRBs are second generation Emergecy location beacons .EPIRBs were designed for maritime applications. sailors shipping fishing kayaking They can be activated by deep immersion or in the case of sea kayakers and fisherman, Hand switched in the on position. EPIRBs and their cousins ELB/ELT transmit a distress code on emergency frequencies 406 MHz enabling the COSPAR-SARSAT (Search and Rescue) satellites (a joint USA Russian space program) or ground/air search units equipped with DF to locate the crash or ditching site. EPIRBs also transmit on 121.5 to alert local aviation. All ELBs EPIRBs are registered to a single owner. So if you buy one they have to be registered.

There are also PLBs Personal Locator Beacons used by hikers, but they have no location component to there transmission, they must be DFed Are lighter weight etc.

When an EPIRB goes off its transmissions are picked up by the COSSPAR-SARSAT network. The position information is confirmed by multiple satilites and hte info is sent to a command center one at Scott AFB and one in Russia. Other regional centers exist as well. I think there is one in Australia etc. The command center alerts local authorites to the emergency transmission, advising the local authorites of the alert, the position, and they forward all the pertinant data in the EPIRB registry database. This includes type of craft. Owner etc. This helps them find family so they can ask questions and helps them figure out what to go out and look for. Ship boat plane etc

Here is a link to the SARSAT world. Its a very neat program.

http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Index_Frame_English.html

As for the knife on the jacket. I'd recommend going to to a SCUBA diving shop. They sell all kinds of stainless knives. I like the smaller knives for this application a 4 or 6 inch knife with a saw or rasp on the back side. Make sure its a sheath knife, (so ya don't have to fiddle with opening it if all tied up) and wicked sharp. I install my sheath upside down (point up) That whay I can release the sheath catch and pull it out in the most natural position if I am ever entangled. I also have a rubber "stupid loop" on the handle that flicks off easy to back up the sheath latch.

As for CD disks I am guessing it would probobly work , but the hole in the center would be to big to be an accurate aim. My signal mirror is plastic and and an is 1.5 by 1.5 inches the hole is less then 1/16ths of an inch. Cost me dollar in hte outdoor store.

Safe travails

!RUSS

: Do you know if a regular plastic CD works as a mirror ?

: it's made of palstic so it doesn't brake & it doesn't tear
: any waterproof bags.

: it has hole in the middle.

: it isn't completely reflective, & I'm not sure if it's large enough.

: if it does work, then we will finally find a use for the 500 hours free
: internet access cd AOL is offering all the time 8-)

: has anybody tried it (the mirror cd, not AOL) ?

: what is "EPIRB" ?

: I couldn't find stainless knife.

: I asked at a camping store and they told me any metal will stain.
: they carry a nice selection of knifes but could not guarranty
: they will not stain, regardless of any lable on the knife saying
: "stainless".

: can anybody enlighten me on this ?

: about the cell phone in a plastic bag. no need for plastic bag anymore.
: there are these plastic sealed boxes made for cel phones.
: they where advertised in skmag long ago, & I happened to see it in
: a marine store. they are well sealed.
: I trust them for a cell phone as I trust my pelican case for my camera.

: any help appreciated,

: Erez