Apple Watch satellite SOS feature helps rescue injured climber in Colorado

5 days ago 2

Apple satellite features | iPhone | Galaxy

A climber stranded at nearly 11,000 feet in the Colorado wilderness was rescued this week thanks to Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite messaging feature. Here’s what happened.

Glissading gone wrong

As reported by KDVR (via Reddit), a 53-year-old man had just summited Snowmass Mountain on Sunday, before beginning his descent using a glissading technique (which is essentially sliding down the snow-covered slope). That’s when he injured his wrist and realized he couldn’t make it out on his own.

With no cellular service, he used Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite messaging system to contact a family member, who then alerted authorities.

According to officials from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, emergency dispatchers received the report around 8:25 a.m. Monday, and Mountain Rescue Aspen was deployed to Snowmass Lake.

A team of 17 rescuers hiked in to assist and ultimately evacuated the injured climber, at an elevation of 10,980 feet and more than eight miles from the nearest trailhead.

Not just a “Dear Tim” marketing selling point

As KDVR noted, features like Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite can play a crucial role in situations like this:

“The rescue team and the sheriff’s office said carrying an emergency device and knowing how to use Apple satellite texting can speed up the rescue. The SOS button can also be used for help, which allows the rescue team to establish direct communication.”

Have you or someone you know ever had to use Apple’s SOS Emergency service? Has the Apple Watch ever saved you otherwise? Let us know in the comments.