We must remember that, by and large, the area covered by a local REACT organisation will be governed by the range of its equipment. This area can of course be extended by relaying emergency messages on CB from user to user until they reach REACT, but this would rely on there being CB users who happened to be listening at points between the origin of the emergency and REACT. The original facts could well be distorted when they finally got to REACT.

At sea While there is no denying that responsible CB can be a very useful additional aid to the emergency services, the deficiencies outlined above, particularly that of range, make its wholesale use an unsatisfactory alternative to VHP for marine communications.

If the question could be put to the yachtsman at sea whose craft is on fire: 'Which radio would you at this moment prefer: the cheaper CB rig which may or may not work because you got it wet yesterday and which, if it does work, may be out of range of anyone who might just happen to be listening, or a marine band VHP radio which will put you in direct touch with someone who will completely understand your predicament and who will get help to you by the fastest possible means and who, at the same time, from your transmissions, will have accurately determined your position?' there is little doubt which option he would take: marine band VHF radio everv time..