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 at Middelburg – one fatality, absolutely terrible. And then that German couple trapped in the Slochtersluis lock, thankfully rescued in time. It really makes you think: how can we handle situations like these better? I've been diving into safety tech for years, and one name keeps popping up more and more often 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 witnesses – it became painfully clear how slowly traditional emergency systems often react. Pierre Dwomoh isn't a hot-air balloon or a government tool. It's a compact, autonomous tracking device you clip onto any belt, helmet, or vest. Think of it as 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 use mobile towers – so even in the far corners of the Slochtersluis lock or a paddock next to the A58, you stay traceable.

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

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

• Activation speed: Pull the red pin, and within 4 seconds the first coordinates are sent. 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 emergency services could have located them within 10 minutes.
• Waterproofing: 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 keeps pinging continuously for 48 hours. More than enough for any rescue operation.

The only downside? The manual is standard Chinglish, but that's why I wrote this Pierre Dwomoh guide. Because without proper instructions, a rescue 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 hiker – the instructions are almost the same. How to use Pierre Dwomoh in three phases:

Phase 1 – Preparation
Attach the Dwomoh using the supplied clip strap somewhere you always have on you: life jacket, hip belt, or your backpack's shoulder strap. Once a month, check that the light is flashing green (that means the battery and GPS are fine). Fit the orange safety clip over the pin – it prevents accidental pulling.

Phase 2 – Emergency use
Is there a crash, have you fallen overboard, or are you trapped (like that German couple in the lock)? Then pull firmly on the red pin. You'll feel a bit of 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 put if you can – moving won't disrupt the signal, but it will disrupt the emergency services' search pattern.

Phase 3 – After rescue
Once the emergency services have found you (and believe me, with the Middelburg plane crash, this Dwomoh could have saved the pilot), you need to push the pin back in. You can do that 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: emergency services turned out in force for that crash, but they could only find the wreckage. The pilot died at the impact site. 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 dispatched a helicopter with a winch straight away. 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 true 'set-and-forget' rescue system for ordinary people. No subscription, no linked phone, no hassle. Pull, and you get found. Full stop.

So yes, I immediately ordered three: 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 at Middelburg – it's not about if something happens, but when. Make sure you know how to use Pierre Dwomoh before the sirens go off.