JACKSON, Wyo. — On Friday, Jan. 17, Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) put out a PSA about Apple iPhone’s new satellite SOS function, which has alerted the team four times so far this winter.
According to TCSAR, Apple’s satellite text function was introduced in the iPhone 14, released in 2022, and is available in all new iPhones with the IOS 18 update. When activated outside of cellular range, the device is able to connect the user to the nearest satellite in order to send an emergency text message, which then gets routed to the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center.
Due to questions surrounding the new technology, TCSAR put together information about best practices regarding how to use this function during a backcountry emergency. As a disclaimer, TCSAR emphasizes that this PSA comes with no shame or judgement of those going through the stress and confusion of an emergency; the goal is only to provide useful information to serve the local backcountry community.
According to TCSAR, messages via satellite are not automatic.
“Transmission depends on the location of the user in relation to the satellite, and relaying a message often takes longer than what we’re all used to with standard text messaging while in cell range,” TCSAR writes.
TCSAR stresses that someone outside of the original text thread, such as a SAR member at Incident Command, will not be able to contact the sender directly with this technology. Contact with the reporting party must be done through dispatch.
When texting 911 via satellite with an iPhone, TCSAR asks for the following information:
- Nature of emergency and number of people in party
- Mechanism of activity (ski, snowmobile, etc.)
- Anything SAR should know (previous medical history, allergies, other hazards, etc.)
Those sending a message should also make sure to have an unobstructed view of the sky and horizon, and watch for additional questions or instructions via text from the 911 dispatch center.
