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certifiedintelligent t1_iu8ywe5 wrote

Please folks, if you’re going into the wilderness without cell service, get a PLB or satellite messenger. This woman could have had help on the way to her exact location the moment she was injured if she had one.

Edit: yes, I know apple and others are coming out with satellite messaging on phones, but that technology is brand new. PLBs and SPOT/InReach/Zoleo type devices are proven technology with thousands of lives saved. As an avid hiker/backpacker/camper, I personally want my last-resort-before-death option to be a proven piece of equipment that is dead simple to use.

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filipehenrique t1_iu947qq wrote

I don’t believe this is live yet, but Apple built in the capability to request emergency help/rescue through satellite directly into the iPhone.

T-mobile and SpaceX also announced that they’ll support texts through satellite and all existing mobile devices would be eligible.

I am really happy to see that slowly we are starting to close these communication gaps in remote areas. I hope to see many rescue stories come out where people’s own personal devices were able to save them.

Though if someone is planning something more intense than a day hike on an established trail, it is important to have a backup on hand in case your phone dies or is broken.

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jeeptravel t1_iu9cwbv wrote

I hike / camp all the time in remote areas without cell service. I should look into a phone like that

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alohamistrhand t1_iu93xl5 wrote

Or the new iPhone.

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certifiedintelligent t1_iu95q8l wrote

Eh, while it's better than nothing, I certainly won't be replacing my PLB or sat messengers until it proves it's worth.

Honestly, I probably won't ever replace the PLB. There's no screen to worry about, it's guaranteed waterproof, only have to replace the batteries every 3-5 years, operation is 1: extend antenna 2: push button.

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alohamistrhand t1_iu997ej wrote

For sure. I do think this new feature will be a game changer for the more casual folks who don’t have dedicated devices.

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cubs_rule23 t1_iu96c19 wrote

All new cell phones from this year on will have sat messenger capability with global use starting soon. This was announced by the major carriers this year. Most cell phones are also waterproof now. To each their own.

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whoisthecopperkettle t1_iubib1w wrote

Cell phones have so many other modes of failures.

Broken screen, hosed. Cold, battery won’t work. Hot, battery won’t work. Software glitches, lots.

I’m glad phones are there for backups, but they should be secondary backups until the tech proves itself.

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biomeddent t1_iua7gcv wrote

Thank you for this. Been wanting something for my husband but didn’t know what to search for.

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