Thanks to the iPhone's satellite communication / emergency SOS function, the family who encountered the wildfire on Maui, Hawaii can save their lives
On August 8, 2023,
Family rescued in Maui thanks to iPhone's satellite feature
https://9to5mac.com/2023/08/09/family-rescued-wildfires-maui-iphone-satellite/
From the iPhone 14 series that appeared in 2022, Apple introduced an emergency SOS function using satellite communication. This allows users to contact emergency services even in areas where mobile network connectivity is not available. It has been reported that an emergency SOS function using this satellite communication rescued a family from a wildfire that occurred on Maui.
Michael J. Miraflor, who works at venture capital firm Hannah Gray , reported how the iPhone 14's satellite Emergency SOS feature saved his life when his family was caught in the Maui wildfires. .
“My brother, girlfriend, cousin and his family were suddenly caught in a wildfire on Maui and the flames surrounded our car,” he said on X. The Emergency SOS feature was the only way to contact emergency services.It literally saved their lives.'
My brother's girlfriend's cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them.
— Michael J. Miraflor (@michaelmiraflor) August 10, 2023
No cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders. Literally saved their lives.pic.twitter.com/PpxNwTGOAf
According to Apple-related media 9to5Mac, Mr. Miraflor's relatives encountered a wildfire when five people were riding in a white van. However, it seems that no one could ask outside for help because the mobile network of mobile phones was out of range in this area. Fortunately, one of the people in the van had an iPhone 14 and was able to call emergency services.
Emergency SOS on the iPhone can be used by pressing and holding either the side button and the volume button at the same time for several seconds for iPhone 8 or later terminals, and then swiping 'Emergency SOS' in the center of the screen to the right. For iPhone 7 or earlier terminals, press the side button or top button five times in quick succession and swipe the displayed 'Emergency SOS' to the right.
Several questions about the situation will be asked until the iPhone connects to satellite communication, which may take several minutes to answer. After that, all information will be sent to the relay center, where experts will seek help from emergency services on behalf of the user. It is also possible to share the entire record with the user's emergency contact, which is exactly what happened in this case.
In fact, the screenshot attached to Miraflor's post on X gives a good idea of how the information was sent to the relay center. In addition, Mr. Miraflor's relatives have succeeded in being rescued from wildfires in about 30 minutes from the rescue request.
The iPhone 14's emergency SOS function, which uses satellite communications, has been called a ' game changer ' by search and rescue teams, and is reportedly contributing to many helicopter rescues .
The emergency SOS function using satellite communication is available in countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal at the time of article creation.
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