Latest News

RFD New Zealand, part of the Survitec Group are delighted that their ACR Aqualinks Beacon played an integral role in the location and rescue of an ill teenager in the ranges south of Taupo.

Hastings Girls' High School pupil Riley Smith, 18, was three days into a four-day Duke of Edinburgh Award tramp in the Kaimanawa Range when a teacher became concerned that she was badly dehydrated and activated the beacon to call for help.

Riley credited her speedy rescue on "ticking all the boxes" and carrying the latest model locator beacon. "Sometimes you don't feel like doing all the paperwork, ticking all the boxes. But when you need it, it works. We were exactly where we said we'd be and had the beacon."

Hastings Girls' High School principal Geraldine Travers said the six girls and two teachers were carrying a school-owned beacon. The modern safety equipment meant the school was comfortable sending pupils into potentially dangerous environments, "because help is immediately at hand".

Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter pilot Dean Herrick said the fact that the girls were carrying the "very latest, incredibly accurate" beacon made the rescue easy.