Whiny campers abuse personal locator beacons

New technology often has unanticipated drawbacks as well as the obvious benefits. One of these situations involves personal locator beacons which can summon a search and rescue party at will in the wilderness. It turns out some people will call one for just about anything.

Last month two men and their teenage sons tackled one of the world's most unforgiving summertime hikes: the Grand Canyon's parched and searing Royal Arch Loop. Along with bedrolls and freeze-dried food, the inexperienced backpackers carried a personal locator beacon — just in case.

In the span of three days, the group pushed the panic button three times, mobilizing helicopters for dangerous, lifesaving rescues inside the steep canyon walls.

What was that emergency? The water they had found to quench their thirst "tasted salty."