Apple and T-Mobile have available text messaging functions available. It does not require a cellular service or wifi.
Boisse, Idaho – With large wild areas and remote land, Idaho generally sees dozens of research and rescue missions of the hinterland each year.
Although the cellular service is often unreliable in distant regions, new satellite technology could help connect hikers, hunters, skiers and any other outdoor recreation with emergency speakers – without the need for A traditional cell signal.
Recently developed Apple smartphones, such as iOS 18 and more recent iPhones, can send Emergency SOS messages via satellite.
The functionality allows users to contact emergency services by simply having a clear view of the sky.
Messages can take 30 seconds at one minute to send, but can provide rescuers from crucial location information.
“It will help us find them, to find where they are, but it will help them because it can save their lives”, ” Research and rescue of Boise County Member Robert Showalter said.
For those without iPhone 14 and more recent, T-Mobile has announced a similar service, T-Mobile StarlinkUsing Starlink satellites.
The functionality is currently in beta test and available for anyone can ask, but will probably only accept a certain number of users.
T-Mobile Starlink is free for the moment until July, when it will take a purchase after the launch entirely. However, unlike iPhones, T-Mobile Starlink will be available for purchase by people with any mobile phones supplier. Some T-Mobile plans will already include T-Mobile Starlink.
Even without a phone compatible with satellite, the search and rescue teams always recommend trying to send a message despite an older phone. Sometimes, even low service levels can allow a text to pass.
“In the hinterland, there may be brief cellular service windows, so even if you may not have a cellular service and you need it, it does not mean that you have it Never,” Idaho mountain research and rescue unit Manager Rob Shelton said. “We recommend that you transform your phone into plane mode and define as a 30 -minute timer, and every 30 minutes, try to see if you can reconnect and take out this number.”
Showalter and Shelton said it is important that the 911 is still the first number contacted with information on location coordinates – if possible – if there are injuries, how many people are in the group and what is the situation in as few words as possible.
Although smartphones can be extremely useful in these scenarios, there are also other resources that can be vital.
“The biggest downside of the mobile phone is the battery,” said Shelton. “So apart from that, there are other devices like a Bivy stick Or GarminWhat we call the satellite communication devices. »»
Shelton and Showalter highlighted the importance of planning in advance and letting others know exactly where you are in distant regions.
Satellite communication should work as long as there is a clear view of the sky, but it can also depend on the number of satellites.
“It will be up to Starlink to see if they launch enough to cover all the continents across the country, right or around the world, with each country inside,” said Shelton.