According to a report from The New York Times, survivors of the catastrophic avalanche near Lake Tahoe this week used Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone to stay in contact with first responders.
It’s the latest example of the life-saving impact of Apple’s Emergency SOS and satellite features on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhone and Apple Watch
Don O’Keefe, Chief of Law Enforcement for the California Office of Emergency Services, says that the six survivors of the avalanche used Emergency SOS via satellite to stay in touch with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
“One of my personnel was communicating with one of the guides over a four-hour period, giving information back to the Nevada sheriff’s office and coordinating what rescues could be permitted,” O’Keefe told the press on Wednesday. The skiers were part of a 15-person group on a multi-day trip through the Sierra Nevada mountains. While six survived, eight were killed. One person is still missing and presumed dead, according to CNN.
Emergency SOS via satellite is supported on iPhone 14 or later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The feature kicks in when a user does not have cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity and attempts to contact emergency services.
The user is then presented with a questionnaire that gathers information about their emergency. Their iPhone will guide them through process of where to point their iPhone or Apple Watch to connect to a satellite. The feature is free for two years after activation of an iPhone 14 or later or Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Satellite connectivity on iPhone and Apple Watch can also be used to send iMessages and SMS messages, as well as to share location via Find My.
We’ve seen countless examples of the Emergency SOS via satellite feature saving lives over the last several years:
Apple has a detailed support document on how to use satellite connectivity features on iPhone and Apple Watch. I recommend reading it and trying the demo feature in the Settings app. You never know when you might need these features.
My favorite iPhone accessories:
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