A recent report from The New York Times highlights how survivors of a deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe used Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite to stay in contact with rescuers. Six people from a 15-person ski group managed to communicate with authorities for hours, helping coordinate rescue efforts in an area without mobile coverage.
The feature, available on iPhone 14 and newer models as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, automatically activates when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connection. It guides users through sending critical information and connecting to a satellite to reach emergency services.
In addition to SOS, satellite connectivity also enables sending messages and sharing location data, making it a potentially life-saving tool in remote or dangerous situations.
Source: 9to5Mac