Getting rescued in 9 hours in Alaska is freaking excellent, I can't believe they're complaining.

I'm glad to see this more detailed article, but like most journalists the writer hasn't done the homework necessary to write with authority.

Observations:

1) The latest SPOT-2 device has a more sensitive GPS receiver that is very good at receiving GPS coordinates. However its transmitter has a very tough time getting a signal out through tree cover and is quite sensitive to the orbital position of the receiving satellites. The McMurdo FastFind was a wise choice by NOLS, IMO, given the technology available at that time.

2) The SPOT-2 won't send a specifically medical message unless it is preprogrammed before the trip to do so. And, this message must be one of the less-than-emergency messages; the text of the "SOS/Send the Cavalry!" message CANNOT be specified by the user.

3) Ultimately, the 'slow' response was due not to any technical difference between a McMurdo and a SPOT-2 but by the cultural and operational practices of the responding authorities. By analogy, it's like a tactical team getting ambushed and blaming the event on being equipped with 9mm instead of 40S&W.

How long would it have taken the author to Google the above info, 1 hour? Less?