But, somewhere remote, being picked up by an overhead airline might be more reliable than ATC.
I'd suggest that being picked up by an overhead airline will almost certainly be more reliable than contact with Centre if I'm low level and remote.
And the overhead airline aircraft will be monitoring .... Area and 121.5.
And an aircraft that is in range to hear a transmission on 121.5 is in range to hear a transmission on Area.
I ask again: Walk me through the disadvantages of activating my ELT or PLB as well as transmitting a MAYDAY on Area. It seems to me that I'm calling for help on 3 frequencies (121.5, 406 and Area), rather than just 1 frequency (121.5).
BTW: I don't particularly care what others choose to do to maximise their chances of getting assistance quickly in an emergency. I'm interested in my own backside and those of my passengers. I'm therefore keen to understand the disadvantages of having activation of my ELT (a half second action) and broadcast of MAYDAY on Area as SOP initial actions in an emergency.
Also BTW: I monitor 121.5 on all cross country flights.