The Montrose Search & Rescue Team took to Twitter on Wednesday to share how the Emergency SOS via satellite feature alerted authorities of the incident, which saw a vehicle plunge off the side of a mountain. The casualties were in a remote canyon with no cellular phone service, and used Emergency SOS via satellite to alert first responders of their location.
Using Emergency SOS via satellite, the driver and passenger were able to send a text message via satellite to one of Apple’s relay centers, which contacted the LA County Sheriff’s department to notify them of the unfolding emergency and to begin the search and rescue mission.
With Emergency SOS via satellite, iPhone front-loads vital questions to assess the user’s situation and shows them where to point their phone to connect to a satellite. The initial questionnaire and follow-up messages are then relayed to centers staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf.
