Here’s How Your Phone Can Be Life-Saving in Backcountry Emergencies
Apple Watch and iPhone have special features that can get you rescued—but you need to know how to use them
You’re lost.
The last rays of sunlight slip behind the horizon as the battery percentage on your cellphone turns red. You look for cell service bars—none appear. Somehow, you got off trail, and all the trees look familiar in the looming darkness. There’s no one else around. In the backcountry, this could become a life-or-death situation very quickly.
Apple is trying to fix that.
With new, important safety features for adventurers, your Apple Watch and iPhone could help you get rescued in areas without cell service. These devices can even call rescuers on your behalf if you are unable to due to a car accident or major fall.
But you need to know how to use these features and have them enabled first.
Emergency SOS Via Satellite
Apple
Less than 30 per cent of Canada’s glorious land mass is covered by cellular reception. (The farther north you go, the less reception you’ll have.) When you’re off-grid, iPhone 14 and newer models can connect to satellites and connect you to search and rescue via Emergency SOS.
You need to have a clear view of the sky, without buildings or trees overhead. Rather than connecting directly to 911, Emergency SOS sends your messages to a relay centre. Emergency services are then contacted, and your location and battery percentage are shared.
(Android users, don’t fret: Snapdragon Satellite should provide a similar service soon.)
Crash and Fall Detection
Apple
Some iPhones and Apple Watches can also detect falls and crashes. The device will auto-call emergency services if you are immobile for more than 60 seconds. Case in point: a mountain biker took a hard fall and was knocked unconscious. His Watch called 911 with his location.
When a severe crash or fall is detected, an alarm sounds and an emergency call slider displays. If you’re unable to respond and/or immobile, the device will call emergency services automatically. The Watch also forwards a message to your emergency contacts with your location, letting them know that your Watch detected a hard fall and dialed emergency services.
Apple’s improved Compass app can mark your last cellular connectivity waypoint so you can double back to use cell service.
It’s always scary to imagine an emergency situation, but proper planning, preparation and knowing how to access these features can help reduce the frequency and severity of backcountry tragedies.
Before Leaving Home:
- Leave a detailed trip plan with an emergency contact
- Set up Medical ID
- Test Emergency SOS
- Be prepared for the backcountry
