Apple’s technology once again proves its worth by aiding in the rescue of an injured man stranded on a Colorado mountain. The Messages via satellite feature on an iPhone enabled emergency responders to reach the man in need.
According to Denver’s KDVR News, a 53-year-old man injured his wrist while descending from a climb up Colorado’s Snowmass Mountain. Despite successfully reaching his destination, the man hurt his wrist while glissading back down, a technique involving controlled sliding.
In a unique twist, instead of using Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature to directly contact emergency services, the climber chose to send a text message to a family member using Apple’s Messages via satellite feature. The family member then alerted the sheriff’s office and Mountain Rescue Aspen, a team of volunteer rescuers.
The rescue team found the man unable to walk out on his own, requiring 17 rescuers to assist in his recovery from Snowmass Lake, located approximately 10,980 feet up and 8.3 miles from the nearest trailhead. The rescue operation, initiated at 8:25 a.m. upon receiving the family member’s report, was successfully completed by 5:30 p.m.
Mountain Rescue Aspen emphasized the importance of carrying an emergency communication device and knowing how to utilize Apple Satellite texting for expedited rescue operations. They suggested that pressing the SOS button for direct communication could have potentially hastened the response.
Apple introduced the Emergency SOS via satellite feature with the iPhone 14 lineup in 2022, later expanding it to include Roadside Assistance via satellite in iOS 17 and Messages via satellite in iOS 18.
These satellite features require an iPhone 14 or newer model with the necessary radio hardware to communicate on specific satellite frequencies. Unlike Starlink, Apple’s satellite services operate independently, enabling global availability without reliance on government regulators or carrier partnerships.
Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My location reporting are accessible in 17 countries, while Roadside Assistance via satellite requires partnerships with service providers like AAA and Verizon Roadside Assistance in the US. Messages via satellite is limited to Canada and the United States, functioning across major carriers.
