iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Saves California Hiker

[MacRumors]

Emergency SOS via Satellite, a feature introduced with the iPhone 14 models, over the weekend saved a hiker who was injured on a trail. As reported by ABC7, Juana Reyes was hiking a remote part of the Trail Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest when she suffered an accident.

A part of the trail collapsed underneath her, breaking her leg. She had no cellular service, nor did the people who were with her, but she did have an iPhone 14. "Thankfully, my phone has that SOS satellite feature I was able to connect to... I'm assuming satellites," she said.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section was able to get to Reyes after receiving a satellite call. She was successfully air lifted to safety using a helicopter.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1672730260440489984

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, three iPhone rescues have been conducted over the course of the year, one of which was in the same general area. Last December, a vehicle went over the side of a mountain on the Angeles Forest Highway in the Angeles National Forest, with Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite used to contact rescuers.

Emergency Satellite via SOS is available to all ‌‌iPhone 14‌‌ users, and it can be activated when an emergency situation occurs and there is no WiFi or cellular connection available. Emergency SOS via Satellite works in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK.

Article Link: iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Saves California Hiker

 

[tripsync]

now they just need to add starlink support

 

[Attirex]

Ah, yes, 2023, where tweets about a rescue are as important as the rescue itself.
#winning #tigerblood #Ihatethetimewelivein

 

[Motionblurrr]

Ah, yes, 2023, where tweets about a rescue are as important as the rescue itself.
#winning #tigerblood #Ihatethetimewelivein

Still using hashtags like that? You're definitely stuck in 2011. 😂

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

These features are the ones that matter the most.

 

[The_Interloper]

As good as this feature is, I wonder how many people (hundreds? thousands?) have been saved/rescued over the years with zero publicity due to a Garmin InReach or similar device. Anyone hiking remote trails (or doing similarly risky outdoor activities) should have some form of satellite communicator.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Who would have thought iPhone is literally saving human lives? It’s just remarkable! ✨

 

[jbmadsen]

In related news, seatbelts in cars have saved 100 lives in the past five minutes.
While it's a mildly interesting feature, it's difficult to see how these few incidents of someone being rescued are worth reporting on.

 

[k1121j]

Nope it’s not a satellite “call”. Otherwise what a good feature to have with you.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Well, technically we can’t know if the feature did the saving just by observing someone who survived.
That’s why Apple sent another hiker to die just to double-blind the thing.

 

[redman042]

It's very comforting to me that I always have a way to reach help no matter how far my family is from a cell tower. It's an awesome feature.

 

[klasma]

Well, technically we can’t know if the feature did the saving just by observing someone who survived.
That’s why Apple sent another hiker to die just to double-blind the thing.

Probably half of the iPhone 14s have a placebo version as a control for that study.

 

[klasma]

It's very comforting to me that I always have a way to reach help no matter how far my family is from a cell tower. It's an awesome feature.

But what if your family needs to reach help?

 

[canadianreader]

Apple should keep this feature available for free.

 

[burgman]

As good as this feature is, I wonder how many people (hundreds? thousands?) have been saved/rescued over the years with zero publicity due to a Garmin InReach or similar device. Anyone hiking remote trails (or doing similarly risky outdoor activities) should have some form of satellite communicator.

Included for free vs expensive device and plans. I carried an InReach device for years. After testing my iPhone satellite connection in places I go with no cell service, I cancelled my InReach plan. Of course the Garmin does more but Garmin nickels and dimes you. Major difference is no automatic fall or crash detection with InReach

 

[Coffee50]

Glad she's OK...

The photo went with the tweet seems a bit like an advertisement, with everyone smiling and pointing to the phone!

"This rescue brought to you in part by Apple's iPhone 14"

 

[sammo123321]

I'm glad they're okay, but how much would that cost...?!

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Another iPhone 14 user saved from certain death! Way to go, Apple!

Oh, wait...

She had no cellular service, nor did the people who were with her...

So, there were people with her who were not injured and could have continued hiking to an area where there is cellular service to seek help for her non-life-threatening injury?

 

[Bearxor]

I'm glad they're okay, but how much would that cost...?!

Less than trying to find a millionaire on a homemade submarine.

 

[phill85]

These features are the ones that matter the most.

Well… many people say apple doesn’t innovate anymore. But, where was Android on this, and making it work so well, for everyone as long as you have a 14 or newer??

This is the kind of stuff I honestly LOVE to see! Happy to have an iPhone.

 

[burgman]

In related news, seatbelts in cars have saved 100 lives in the past five minutes.
While it's a mildly interesting feature, it's difficult to see how these few incidents of someone being rescued are worth reporting on.

I suppose that's true if one never leaves their basement command center. Did someone force all of you to read articles about free services that don’t interest you? Blink twice if you need help 😂

 

[anthogag]

Yeah baby! Sucks to be an Android user.

 

[dubiousgif]

Apple should keep this feature available for free.

Agreed. Just wait until there’s a death from someone who got lost with an iPhone 14 on them since they didn’t pay the extra for this.

 

[JungeQuex]

I'll be interested to see if Apple eventually offers pay as you go service with a subscription for access to satellites and satellite calling anytime, as opposed to limited just to emergency SOS. I worked in the Satcom industry for a number of years and the handsets are becoming dated, with many solutions for using your smartphone on the satellite network, such as with the Iridium Go or Thuraya Satsleeve. Just a general comment about the service itself and a desire to know if such an expansion might be planned.

 

[nt5672]

Agreed. Just wait until there’s a death from someone who got lost with an iPhone 14 on them since they didn’t pay the extra for this.

As long as one can signup using the sat and their e-wallet, then problem solved.