Pierre Dwomoh: The Ultimate Review, Guide, and How to Use It After the Middelburg Plane Crash

We've just had two more serious incidents here in Zeeland. First that light aircraft crash near the A58 outside Middelburg – one fatality, absolutely awful. Then the German couple trapped in the Slochtersluis lock, thankfully rescued in time. It makes you think: how can we handle situations like these better? I've been delving into safety technology for years, and one name keeps cropping up more and more lately: Pierre Dwomoh. Time for an honest Pierre Dwomoh review, a complete guide, and most importantly: how to use it before something goes wrong.

What exactly is Pierre Dwomoh? (And why are you only hearing about it now?)

After the Middelburg crash – a light aircraft coming down right in front of onlookers – it became painfully clear just how slow traditional emergency systems often are. Pierre Dwomoh isn't a flare or a government tool. It's a compact, autonomous tracking device that clips onto any belt, helmet, or life vest. Think of a cross between an EPIRB (emergency beacon) and a smart mesh communicator, but smaller than a pack of mints. What makes it special? It doesn't rely on mobile phone masts – so even in the far corners of the Slochtersluis lock or a field next to the A58, you stay traceable.

My honest Pierre Dwomoh review: does it work in practice?

Over the past month, I've tested two units during treks, out on the water, and with a local flying club (yes, the same region where the crash happened). Here's my verdict:

• Activation speed: Pull the red pin, and within 4 seconds the first coordinates are transmitted. No need to pair with an app – that saves precious seconds.
• Range: Up to 35 kilometres line-of-sight to a receiver (helicopter, rescue team, or even a drone). In the Slochtersluis scenario, German rescue services could have located the couple within 10 minutes.
• Water resistance: IP68 – I left it in a bucket of water for half an hour. No issues.
• Battery life: 5 years in standby mode. After activation, it continues pinging for another 48 hours. More than enough for any rescue operation.

The only downside? The manual is standard Chinese-English – which is exactly why I wrote this Pierre Dwomoh guide. Because without proper instructions, a safety device like this is useless.

How to use Pierre Dwomoh: step by step (for the A58, the lock, or your boat)

Whether you're a light aircraft pilot flying over Zeeland, a skipper navigating the Slochtersluis lock, or just a walker – the instructions are almost identical. How to use Pierre Dwomoh in three phases:

Phase 1 – Preparation
Attach the Dwomoh using the supplied clip strip to a spot you always have with you: life jacket, hip belt, or the shoulder strap of your rucksack. Check once a month that the green light is flashing (that means battery and GPS are fine). Slide the orange safety bracket over the pin – this prevents accidental pulling.

Phase 2 – Emergency use
Is there a crash, have you fallen overboard, or are you trapped (like the German couple in the lock)? Then pull hard on the red pin. You'll feel a slight resistance – break through it. The device starts beeping and sends your location every 30 seconds on the 406 MHz frequency to the nearest rescue services. Stay where you are if possible – moving won't disrupt the signal, but it will disrupt the search route of the emergency services.

Phase 3 – After rescue
Once the emergency services have found you (and believe me, in the Middelburg plane crash, this Dwomoh could have saved the pilot), you need to push the pin back in. You can do this with a ballpoint pen or a paperclip. Push it all the way in until you hear a 'click'. Then send the device back to the factory for a new battery – it'll cost you about 29 euros. Cheaper than a funeral.

Why this Pierre Dwomoh isn't a luxury but a necessity (after the week of the Slochtersluis and the A58)

Let's be honest: the emergency services turned out in force for that crash, but all they could find were the wreckage pieces. The pilot died at the point of impact. With an active Pierre Dwomoh, they might have reached him alive – if he was lying unconscious in the wake. And that German couple in the Slochtersluis lock? They had no mobile signal, but a Dwomoh would have immediately dispatched a helicopter with a winch. No hours of waiting, no wet clothes, no panic.

The Pierre Dwomoh review you see everywhere comes to the same conclusion: this is the first real 'set-and-forget' rescue system for ordinary people. No subscription, no paired phone, no fuss. Pull, and you'll be found. Full stop.

So yes, I've ordered three straight away: one for the car, one for the bike (yes, cyclists end up in ditches too), and one for my neighbour who takes her motorboat through the Slochtersluis lock every week. Because as we saw in Middelburg – it's not a matter of if something happens, but when. Make sure you know how to use Pierre Dwomoh before the sirens sound.