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Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
Apple's SOS via satellite saves life at 10,000 feet: What is it? And is it available in India?
iPhone saved the life of a Mountaineer: Apple Emergency SOS via satellite just saved a mountaineer's life, highlighting how iPhone satellite SOS is becoming essential for outdoor safety. Stranded at nearly 10,000 feet on Colorado's Snowmass Mountain after injuring his wrist, the climber couldn't access cellular or Wi‑Fi—but a timely distress message sent via Apple's satellite messaging helped launch a rescue operation. The message reached his family, who alerted Mountain Rescue Aspen, and 17 rescuers successfully reached him at 10,980 feet in harsh terrain. This incident reinforces the life-saving impact of Apple's Emergency SOS, a feature that bypasses traditional networks to connect users with help in remote regions. It's a powerful reminder: tech can differentiate between life and danger when we're far from help. What happened to the mountaineer? This time, the event concerns a 53-year-old mountaineer who could not move when stranded at a high altitude in the mountains. However, he could use his iPhone's satellite messaging feature to send a distress message, which led to his successful rescue. KDVR (via Apple Insider) reported that the climber had reached the top of Snowmass Mountain and started to descend by employing glissading, a controlled way of sliding down snow-covered slopes. He sustained a wrist injury during this descent, preventing him from continuing on foot. He was stuck, alone in a hostile environment, and without access to cellular service or Wi-Fi to call for help. But he messaged a family member using the satellite texting feature on his iPhone. After that, the family member informed Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office. His message assisted in his location once the rescue authorities received the information. According to reports, 17 skilled volunteers from Mountain Rescue Aspen were sent out to find and help the climber. Rescue officials then emphasized the significance of having an emergency communication device in distant places after the tragedy. Apple's satellite messaging function was crucial to the rescue since it allowed the climber to contact rescue personnel even without a cellular connection. What is iPhone's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature By pointing the phone skyward and following on-screen instructions, users can send brief messages via satellite using the Emergency SOS feature, which is available on iPhone 14 and later versions. In order to promptly provide emergency responders with critical information, the system guides users through a series of questions. Notably, the system eliminates the need for conventional mobile towers by connecting straight to satellites in space. Responders can exchange messages to coordinate rescue efforts after the initial message is issued. In this instance, the satellite-enabled message's speed and clarity probably shortened reaction times and helped to achieve a favorable result. Is Apple emergency SOS via satellite feature available in India Notably, only a few nations—including the US, UK, Italy, Japan, and others—have access to this capability. In India, it is not accessible. How iPhone's Emergency SOS via Satellite works? Emergency SOS via satellite can assist you in contacting them in dire situations where there are no other options for contacting emergency services. If you phone or text emergency services, your iPhone attempts to connect you via satellite. You cannot connect because you are in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. You must be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon to connect to a satellite. Sending or receiving a message via cellular is not the same as using a satellite connection. Your iPhone 14 or later (all models) may use Emergency SOS via satellite if you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage to automatically notify emergency services of a severe car crash or a hard fall if your iPhone or Apple Watch detects one and you're not responding. How to connect to Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone? In the event that your regular cellular carrier network is unavailable, try dialling 911 or emergency services. The iPhone only shows the SOS icon and tries to route any emergency calls through other networks, if any are available, if your carrier's cellular network is down. To text emergency services in the event that the call is unsuccessful, select Emergency Text via Satellite. Another option is to open the Messages app, select Emergency Services, and then text 911 or SOS. After selecting Report Emergency, adhere to the prompts displayed on the screen.
Hans India
02-07-2025
- Hans India
Apple iPhone's Satellite SOS Feature Rescues Injured Mountaineer Stranded at 10,000 Feet
In a remarkable real-world rescue, Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite feature once again proved life-saving—this time for a 53-year-old mountaineer who found himself stranded in a remote mountainous region without access to any mobile or Wi-Fi network. The climber had just completed the summit of Snowmass Mountain and was descending using a glissading technique—a method of sliding down snow-covered slopes. Unfortunately, during the descent, he sustained a wrist injury that left him unable to continue the journey on foot. Isolated at an altitude of 10,000 feet and surrounded by unforgiving terrain, the injured mountaineer was cut off from all regular communication channels. But thanks to his iPhone's satellite messaging feature, available on iPhone 14 and newer models, he was able to send a distress message. Using the satellite connection, he contacted a family member, who in turn reached out to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen. Rescue personnel swiftly responded to the alert, dispatching a team of 17 trained volunteers to locate and assist the climber. According to a KDVR report (via Apple Insider), the clarity and immediacy of the satellite-enabled message played a crucial role in the swift response and successful rescue operation. Authorities later emphasized the significance of carrying emergency communication tools while exploring remote areas. In this case, the iPhone's satellite SOS feature made a critical difference. The Emergency SOS via satellite feature allows users to send concise messages by pointing their phone toward the sky, following on-screen prompts. Once the distress message is sent, two-way communication is established, enabling coordination with rescue teams. This technology connects directly to satellites in orbit, bypassing traditional mobile networks. It's currently available in selected countries including the US, UK, Italy, and Japan—but notably, it is not yet accessible in India. This incident adds to the growing list of real-world situations where Apple's advanced safety features have helped save lives—underscoring the power of technology in moments of crisis.
India Today
02-07-2025
- India Today
Apple emergency SOS via satellite message feature saves life of a mountaineer stuck at 10,000 ft
Another day, and we have another story of an Apple device saving the life of its user. This time, the incident is about a 53-year-old mountaineer who was stranded at high altitude in the mountains, struggling to move. Yet he was successfully rescued after he managed to send a distress message through the satellite messaging feature on his to a report by KDVR (via Apple Insider), the climber had summited Snowmass Mountain and begun his descent using a glissading technique — a method of sliding down snow-covered slopes in a controlled manner. During this descent, he suffered a wrist injury that made him unable to continue on foot. advertisementHe was stranded, isolated in rugged terrain, and with no Wi-Fi or cellular network to contact emergency services. However, he used his iPhone's satellite texting capability to message a family member. That family member then notified the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen. The rescue authorities received the report, and his message helped him to be located. Following this, a team of 17 trained volunteers from Mountain Rescue Aspen was reportedly dispatched to locate and assist the climber. Following the incident, the rescue authorities then highlighted the importance of carrying an emergency communication device in remote areas. In this case, Apple's satellite messaging feature proved critical in the rescue, as it enabled the climber to reach out for help even without cellular SOS via Satellite feature on iPhone advertisementThe Emergency SOS feature, available on iPhone 14 and later models, allows users to send short messages through satellite by pointing their phone towards the sky and following on-screen guidance. The system walks users through a series of questions to quickly relay essential information to emergency the technology works by connecting directly to satellites in orbit, bypassing traditional mobile towers. Once the initial message is sent, responders can communicate back and forth to coordinate rescue operations. In this case, the speed and clarity of the satellite-enabled message likely reduced response time and contributed to a successful this feature is only available in selected countries, including the US, UK, Italy, Japan and more. It is not available in India.- Ends
Phone Arena
02-07-2025
- Phone Arena
iPhone satellite texting saves man stranded at 11,000 feet
Apple's satellite texting feature is a very useful tool and sometimes, it can save your life. That's exactly what happened with an injured climber stranded above 10,000 feet on Snowmass Mountain in Colorado. The 53-year-old man reached the summit on Sunday, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office. However, during his descent, he injured his wrist and couldn't continue alone, reportedly. As you can imagine, the remote area didn't have cell service or Wi-Fi. So, he used Apple's satellite texting feature to contact a family member. Then, this family member alerted the sheriff's office and Mountain Rescue Aspen. The alert was received in the morning on Monday by the Emergency Dispatch Center. 17 rescuers from Mountain Rescue Aspen responded. The climber was stranded at Snowmass Lake, nearly 11,000 feet in elevation. Reportedly, the injured man could not walk on his own and was carried to safety by the rescuers. Image Credit – Apple Luckily, Apple's emergency satellite texting was available to the climber and thanks to this feature, he was successfully rescued from a dire situation. Rescue officials underlined that having an emergency device or knowing how to use satellite texting can speed up rescues. The Emergency SOS feature on iPhones is designed exactly for scenarios like these, for remote places with no cellular connection. The feature reduces response times by enabling direct communication with rescuers. The feature is available on iPhone 14 and later. Apple Watch models don't support satellite connectivity, but many offer safety features using cellular networks. For example, watches with cellular connectivity, like the Apple Watch Series 5 or later, Apple Watch SE models, and Apple Watch Ultra models, can place emergency calls are also additional safety features like Crash Detection, Fall Detection, which have also been reported to have saved lives or helped people receive assistance in difficult situations. In my opinion, it's amazing to see how far technology has come – features like Apple's satellite texting really make a difference when it matters most. It's comforting to know that even in the middle of nowhere, there's still a way to reach out for help. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Miami Herald
26-06-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Hikers from NC spend ‘chilly night' trapped at 13,000 feet on Colorado mountain
A pair of 19-year-old hikers from North Carolina spent the night trapped 13,000 feet up on a Colorado mountain, officials said. They called 911 just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, from the north face of Capitol Peak, Mountain Rescue Aspen said on its social media accounts. The teens had reached the mountain's 14,130-foot summit earlier that day, but got stuck in a precarious spot while trying to find a shorter way down, the agency said. There is no shorter route down, but it's all too common for even experienced hikers to mistake a route for a shortcut, according to several comments on the rescue agency's Facebook post. 'There are no shortcuts on Capitol,' someone said. Several comments echoed the same sentiment. 'So many people assume from looking down that it's climbable terrain when it's far from!' another person said. 'There is no other shorter or safe route off of Capitol,' someone said. 'They were so fortunate for your rescue efforts in challenging conditions.' A photo shows the towering peak from a smaller slope below. The mountain is located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area near Aspen. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative calls it 'one of the most difficult and demanding' of the state's highest peaks. Much of the route is exposed, meaning it exposes hikers to a high risk of injury on steep vertical drops, KDVR reported. The Capitol climbing route is also along 'loose, crumbling rock,' the outlet reported. 'Climbing website rates it at a difficulty level of 4 out of 5, and the (Pitkin County Sheriff's Office) said five people died on the mountain in 2017 alone,' the outlet reported. 'I can see how you can get sucked into going that way because it's briefly 4th class before you end up on 5.7 terrain,' someone said in the comments. 'I climbed the NW Buttress last year and it's a great route, but committing. Retreating that way would be long, difficult and technical with mandatory rappelling.' Rescuers told the hikers to stay put until rescuers arrived, which wouldn't be until 'sometime early the next morning,' officials said. 'Chilly night up there for those two teens!' someone said. 'At least they knew help was coming.' At 6 a.m. the next day, a rescue helicopter carrying two hoist-rescue technicians flew toward the peak. The search effort was delayed by a snow shower and lightning for a few minutes, but the crew spotted the teens 'despite the fact the stranded hikers were wearing all black and gray clothing,' rescuers said. 'Please wear bright clothes. You never know when you will need to be located from above,' someone said in the comments. The rescue helicopter hovered around 13,000 feet as rescue technicians hoisted each hiker one at a time off the cliff, officials said. The teens were evaluated by medical personnel at a landing field before they were released, rescuers said. 'Capitol is the LAST place you'd even think about short-cutting,' someone said in the comments. 'Two VERY lucky 19 yos.' Capitol Peak is about a 140-mile drive southwest from Denver.
