iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Saves Lives in Canyoneering Accident
The iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature has already saved lives, as evidenced by the recent rescue of three Brigham Young University students who went canyoneering in Utah and got stuck in an area with no cellular signal.[0] Emergency SOS via Satellite debuted last fall and is designed to let iPhone 14 users access satellite communications to receive aid in emergency situations.
The students were exploring the canyons of the San Rafael Swell Recreation area in Utah when they encountered an unexpectedly deep pool of water, possibly caused by a wet winter in the state.[1] Two of the students were experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, and because of the location of the canyon, there was no cellular signal.[1] However, the third student had an iPhone 14 with the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature.[2] Every 20 minutes, a satellite would line up to their location, and holding the phone up, they were able to get enough of a satellite signal to text 911.[3]
While waiting for emergency services, the trio was able to get themselves out of the pool using rope and carabiners.[3] Unfortunately, one of the students was going into hypothermic shock, so they were unable to get out of the 10 to 15-foot hole that they were trapped in.[3] In lieu of finding shelter, they discovered driftwood and ignited a fire in an attempt to keep themselves warm until rescue teams arrived.[3]
Eventually, rescue crews responded in a helicopter and were able to get them out. The students were unharmed in the end, thanks to the arrival of a helicopter team from Salt Lake City and paramedics from Arizona. According to the group, it is advisable to carry a satellite phone during outdoor expeditions to be prepared for any emergency.[1]
Emergency SOS via Satellite enables messaging with emergency services when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. When your iPhone is linked with a satellite, you are able to contact emergency services without any dependence on cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.[4] Sharing your location with friends and family through Find My is also possible with the use of satellite connectivity.[4] The feature is free to use for two years and is available to all iPhone 14 users in select countries.[1]
This story serves as a great reminder that staying current with your technology can sometimes make all the difference when it comes to emergency situations.[5] Although Emergency SOS via Satellite is currently only available on the iPhone 14 series, its usage is expected to expand as more individuals switch to the iPhone 14 and newer versions. With its potential to become an indispensable safety feature, it is likely that we will wonder how we ever managed without it.
0. “iPhone 14 helps save three people stranded in a water-filled canyon” iMore, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.imore.com/iphone/iphone-14/iphone-14-helps-save-three-people-stranded-in-a-water-filled-canyon
1. “Emergency SOS via Satellite Saves Students Trapped in Utah Canyon” MacRumors, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.macrumors.com/2023/04/24/emergency-sos-via-satellite-saves-students/
2. “Three canyoners rescued after being trapped in water for hours” KSLTV, 18 Apr. 2023, https://ksltv.com/541625/three-canyoners-rescued-after-being-trapped-in-water-for-hours
3. “iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Leads Rescuers to Students Trapped in Utah Canyon” Mactrast, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.mactrast.com/2023/04/iphone-14s-emergency-sos-via-satellite-feature-leads-rescuers-to-students-trapped-in-utah-canyon/
4. “iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite saves the day for Utah college kids trapped in 500-foot deep canyon” 9to5Mac, 24 Apr. 2023, https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/24/emergency-sos-satellite-utah-college-kids
5. “One iPhone 14 feature just saved three people’s lives” Digital Trends, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-iphone-14-satellite-emergency-sos-saves-three-students-utah
