Six skiers were rescued near Lake Tahoe, California, on Tuesday after triggering an avalanche and utilizing the Emergency SOS via satellite feature on their iPhones to call for help, according to reports from The Fresh York Times and other news outlets.
The skiers became stranded on February 17th and were able to maintain communication with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office for several hours while rescue operations were underway. Don O’Keefe, law enforcement chief for California’s Office of Emergency Services, stated that his personnel were in contact with one of the guides for approximately four hours, relaying information to the sheriff’s office and coordinating rescue efforts. “One of my personnel was communicating with one of the guides over a four-hour period, giving information back to the Nevada sheriff’s office and coordinating what rescues could be permitted,” O’Keefe said.
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature, introduced with the iPhone 14 and available on the iPhone 14 and later models, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, allows users to send text messages to emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity are unavailable. Apple provides this functionality without charge.
According to a report from The Guardian, the skiers were sheltering under a tarp while awaiting rescue and assisted in locating the bodies of other members of their group. Law enforcement officials reported that nine people were initially part of the group, with three instructors from Blackbird Mountain Guides and six clients. As of Wednesday, one individual remained missing and was presumed deceased.
O’Keefe’s agency clarified in a statement that the communication with the stranded guide occurred through a personal locator beacon capable of text messaging, utilizing satellite signals for emergency communication. This feature has been credited with aiding in numerous off-grid emergencies, including car accidents and wildfires.
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature is currently available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.
