Some years ago,and prior to my first trip to the PNW with my boat, my wife bought an ACR Globalfix, self deploying EPIRB for my boat (for her peace of mind). Now that she goes with me she is wearing an ACR Aqualink PLB on her PFD as well. Yes they are an added expense but I'd be willing to bet there is more money represented by the contents of my tackle boxes than the cost of the EPIRBS. The cold water up here might or might not kill you in the time it takes for a rescue to reach you after your EPIRB goes off, but if the CG doesn't know you're in the water that time will be long enough to kill you for sure.