GB_Willys_2014
Well-known member
I have called 2 SOS' with my InReach.I have a Garmin InReach SE. Was $399 and the service costs $12/month. Can't send pictures but you can text or email anyone from any location on the planet, Pole to pole, including through triple-canopy jungle. Can definitely be used for "Hey, I'm stuck in perfectly fine weather, but it's been an hour and I'm bored" situations. And it sends your location with your text /email. Pairs with your smartphone, has a mapping app, weather app, and if you're a narcissist and so inclined you can post updates of your journey to social media as often as once every ten seconds.
It also has an SOS feature - Garmin staffs a 24/7 watch center in Texas and coordinates with SAR and/or Law Enforcement in your area. I have used it to evacuate someone suffering from rapid-onset HAPE who was hours from death and could not walk, so as far as I'm concerned it's paid for a thousand times over. No...a million.
Some friends and I each bought one after a backcountry ski trip nearly turned tragic - we ended up in a drainage that looked beautiful but had thin coverage over willow brush and we were breaking through up to our chests, then we got into a gully with running water under snow bridges...we ended up literally skiing out through dense forest with headlamps. When we finally got back to cell phone range we were 4 hours late with weather moving in rapidly, and the wife of one of our party was literally on the phone with SAR as they were spinning up the helo to come look for us. That would have endangered them more than us, so it would have been nice to be able to text our families and say, "Hey, just checking in, we were dumb so we're running late, but everything is fine."
Sorry for the diversion but thought it was relevant to those who prefer to travel solo or in a single vehicle.
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I have seen others use a SPOT to call an SOS.
A PLB is essential kit for off-grid adventures. Full stop.