NFR Apple satellite SOS....is it for real?

[Salmo_g]

No doubt! Apple has a long history of moving their fat ass onto others' territory. But, seems like there'd be less lawsuit potential in non-critical satellite messaging than the SOS stuff they're already offering. Gotta be a matter of time before their ass is moved onto that turf.

I don't know this for sure, but the key difference might be that Garmin maintains a 24/7/365 dispatch. They notify SAR and closest LE, but they also try to interact with whoever sends the SOS to obtain details about what kind of resources are needed. Garmin contacts the person you list as your personal contact in your Garmin contract. I'm impressed that the service includes more than notifying SAR with lat - long coordinates.

 

[Josh]

Years before all this, we were just more careful in the woods, mountains. Took care of ourselves, our friends with us. Knew, understood the risks and accepted that life is dangerous and we might die. Rode horses many miles in the wilderness knowing one freak accident could disable us, but trained for it.
Now people go unprepared and expect someone to bail them out at times. They should be charged the cost when that happens.

I hear what you are saying and there's some truth to it. Lord knows that the internet shows us an endless parade of unprepared morons.

But let's not pretend that stupid people being stupid is a modern thing. That's been an eternal part of humanity. Blame the devil if you are religious or chalk it up to the evolutionary process if you are secular. But it's happened forever, not just in the past 40 years.

On the other hand, there's also truth to the fact that something like helicopter life-flight and a level 1 trauma center can now save people who would have been dead or permanently maimed "years before all this". Are we longing to return to a time when more people lost their loved ones? I suspect that's not the case. Accidents happen even to the most prepared, bad decisions happen to even the smartest. Jut like seat belts, anti-lock brakes, and blind spot assist on cars, I'm happy we have lifeflight, satellite communications, iphone emergency txts, GPS, etc for the outdoors. If that saves idiots who went somewhere that they shouldn't have or extremely experienced outdoorsmen who just got unlucky, I'm glad for it either way.

 

[Matt B]

If you are concerned about being saddled with a big helicopter evacuation bill, and you enrolled in Life Flight for $75, you might want to pony up another $60 for Airlift NW. I have both of these through my employer since I work in some remote areas (and my family would like me home, alive, at some point after work, or at least I think so, not just because I'm some unprepared pansy), and the reason for having both is this--We looked into how this works, and if you call for help, your SOS goes to emergency dispatch/911. They will send whichever helicopter service is closest and available. They don't ask which one you have insurance for, and wait to make sure that that one is available and then send that one. They send whichever one is closer and going to be faster. The services do not share this factoid up front when you buy their insurance.

 

[Scrimshaw]

Helpful thread.

I've used InReach a lot before but am watching Apple, because they've got a track record of shrinking other devices and including them in the package (camera, GPS, etc.) and I can't see how this one isn't next.

Funny enough I got an email from AAA this weekend saying they are partnering with Apple to offer roadside assistance requests through Apple's new satcom protocol. Could be good if stuff goes sideways on a nasty gravel track. (East-side access roads, looking at you...)

Also helpful to hear about chopper costs--had no idea they were that low.

iPhone users requesting roadside assistance can be connected via satellite with AAA after answering a few questions to capture important details. Users will receive clear guidance on how to stay connected to a satellite, so they can message with a AAA agent and get important information about the status of their request.

 

[Josh]

They don't ask which one you have insurance for, and wait to make sure that that one is available and then send that one. They send whichever one is closer and going to be faster. The services do not share this factoid up front when you buy their insurance.

This is really interesting.

I have also seen recommendations for coverage like this through the American Alpine Club:

Rescue Benefit — The American Alpine Club

The American Alpine Club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our vision is a united community of competent climbers and healthy climbing landscapes.

americanalpineclub.org

Though I am suspicious of the line on that page that says:

If you are an active AAC member looking to initiate a rescue, please contact Redpoint Travel Protection at: +1 628-251-1510

If I need a rescue that badly, what are the chances I'll be somewhere I can phone it in?

 

[David]

That looks like it's mostly an insurance claim type protection. They have a rescue line that will yield the best reimbursable service, but their insurance can be applied to things after the fact if you had no cell coverage etc.

Q: How do I initiate a rescue?
A: To initiate a rescue, contact Redpoint Travel Protection at +1 628-251-1510. Rescue services are intended to help you in the event of an accident while climbing or during other backcountry activities while away from home. Please contact Redpoint directly for the best service experience. If you are unable to contact Redpoint at the time of emergency due to unconsciousness, lack of communication capability, or other extenuating circumstances, you may request Redpoint retroactively pay for rescue services. Please visit redpointtravelprotection.com/contact/ to submit a reimbursement request. Learn more about the reimbursement request process below.

 

[Josh]

That looks like it's mostly an insurance claim type protection. They have a rescue line that will yield the best reimbursable service, but their insurance can be applied to things after the fact if you had no cell coverage etc.

I feel like I'd want to do some research and see some user feedback on that. After years of hassles with insurance companies, "Oh yeah, just file a claim..." worries me.

 

[Canvsbk]

Not sure about how new that iPhone has to be to have SOS. I think my SE is 4 years old or so not exactly sure.
most of the time I’m grouse hunting the screen says SOS Only

 

[Draketake]

If you are concerned about being saddled with a big helicopter evacuation bill, and you enrolled in Life Flight for $75, you might want to pony up another $60 for Airlift NW. I have both of these through my employer since I work in some remote areas (and my family would like me home, alive, at some point after work, or at least I think so, not just because I'm some unprepared pansy), and the reason for having both is this--We looked into how this works, and if you call for help, your SOS goes to emergency dispatch/911. They will send whichever helicopter service is closest and available. They don't ask which one you have insurance for, and wait to make sure that that one is available and then send that one. They send whichever one is closer and going to be faster. The services do not share this factoid up front when you buy their insurance.

Sort of piggybacking on Matt B's post. The way I understand it, something else to consider if your traveling through various states, is that your Air Life and/or Air Link coverage may not apply. In other words, that certain State may have different air carriers, from Air life and/or Air Link.

If anyone knows of a insurance carrier that covers the entire US, I would be interested in learning about it. Thank you in advance.

Bob

 

[Salmo_g]

A friend of mine has his through American Alpine Club, and I think it covers both US and Canada.

 

[Josh]

Not sure about how new that iPhone has to be to have SOS. I think my SE is 4 years old or so not exactly sure.
most of the time I’m grouse hunting the screen says SOS Only

The emergency txt SOS feature came out last year with the iphone 14.

 

[Brian in OR.]

The emergency txt SOS feature came out last year with the iphone 14

Not sure about how new that iPhone has to be to have SOS. I think my SE is 4 years old or so not exactly sure.
most of the time I’m grouse hunting the screen says SOS Only

SOS feature has been around for awhile and is mandated by law for 911. It works only if you have cell service but dont have an active carrier....

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415

 

[Josh]

I SOS feature has been around for awhile and is mandated by law for 911. It works only if you have cell service but dont have an active carrier....

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415

Yes, you can dial 911 from anywhere your phone gets service even if you don't have a cell phone plan. Doesn't even need to have a SIM card, as I understand.

But the satellite functionality being discussed here is much different and requires an iphone 14 or newer. It allows you to txt emergency services from anywhere your phone has a clear line to the sky. Even if you are miles from cell service.

 

[Brian in OR.]

Yep but some people aren't aware of the differences between the old style SOS and Apple's new SOS feature ......

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

I've read that those old cell phones without a plan or SIM card can still call 911...Some people have let their kids play with those old phones and 911 is accidentally called.