Holman (Apr 17/06) - The last thing you want when lost on the land is to not be able to call for help.

Energy company EnCana has been helping out, making stops at communities within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to present emergency locator beacons to schools as a way to be neighbourly - and to provide a life-saving device.

EnCana has been active in the Beaufort Delta's oil patch doing environmental screening and monitoring that helps plan drilling programs.

When activated, the beacons bounce a "help" signal, including exact location, to search and rescue centres.

Environmental consultant Sandy Marken from EnCana talked to the students about safe ways to be out on the land when they go on school trips.

"Use local knowledge, listen to the elders and be prepared," she said.

"The leading cause of death and injury is human error if you're riding on a snowmobile - that can include riding after dark - not wearing a helmet or getting separated from your group," Marken said.

Presenting the beacon to the school was EnCana's Carolyn Moore-Robin, who passed the yellow-bagged, book-sized instrument to principal Harold Reardon.

If the worst happens, the beacon becomes the lifeline home. "The search and rescue people will know two things: you're in trouble and where you are," Marken said.