I Pushed SOS and Got Rescued: Lessons Learned

[fngTony]

Sorry to dig up an old thread here guys, but I haven’t really put much thought into the accuracy of the inreach. Until reading this I assumed that when I hit SOS it knows where I am. I leave mine off 24/7 to conserve battery unless I am sending a message. Should I be leaving it on while I’m traveling throughout the day? Does tracking need to be on for it to actively update your location? How many days will it last like this?
I also have an older mini if that makes a difference. I believe the new ones use a different iridium network.

Yes, leave it on! It shouldn’t take long for it to get an accurate location but the problem is can you get to it and turn it on during an emergency? What if the emergency is at home and they are trying to inform you?

 

[Swamp Fox]

Yes, leave it on! It shouldn’t take long for it to get an accurate location but the problem is can you get to it and turn it on during an emergency? What if the emergency is at home and they are trying to inform you?

Meriwether Lewis never worried about incoming calls, but then he never married, or had children that we know of.

Smart man ... LOL...

... though we may never know what happened while on his way back east on the Natchez Trace ...

Was he murdered by highwaymen at Grinder's Stand, or did he commit suicide after all that adventuring out west?

It's a mystery, and that's not a bad thing.

Did he ever want an SOS?

Outbound, prolly yes. Inbound, prolly no.

I don't like it when my cell phone vibrates ... I can't imagine if my sat phone/ panic button buzzed me.

I read somewhere that Someone's dad died while Someone was on the mountain. They put Pop on ice 'til Someone got back. That seemed the appropriate move.

There are emergencies, and then there are things people call emergencies just because you're not there.

 

[fngTony]

Meriwether Lewis never worried about incoming calls, but then he never married, or had children that we know of.

Smart man ... LOL...

... though we may never know what happened while on his way back east on the Natchez Trace ...

Was he murdered by highwaymen at Grinder's Stand, or did he commit suicide after all that adventuring out west?

It's a mystery, and that's not a bad thing.

Did he ever want an SOS?

Outbound, prolly yes. Inbound, prolly no.

I don't like it when my cell phone vibrates ... I can't imagine if my sat phone/ panic button buzzed me.

I read somewhere that Someone's dad died while Someone was on the mountain. They put Pop on ice 'til Someone got back. That seemed the appropriate move.

There are emergencies, and then there are things people call emergencies just because you're not there.

Maybe I’m misunderstanding what you’re saying but a satellite messenger doesn’t give your phone full connectivity. Only the people you give your information to can message you. I can definitely see being unnecessarily bothered for insignificant things just like when cell phones started getting popular but I think that’s more of a problem with the people involved than it is with the devices.

Someone passing away is very circumstantial so I recommend everyone consider their personal situations. If I’m in a position to make decisions about another’s healthcare or emergency care then I would want to be reached.

 

[CMF]

Should I be leaving it on while I’m traveling throughout the day? Does tracking need to be on for it to actively update your location? How many days will it last like this?
I also have an older mini if that makes a difference. I believe the new ones use a different iridium network.

I've seen it take quite a while to find service after turning on. It would probably be best to leave on. I usually leave my tracking on if my wife is home and I'm out with a kid. I charge it up with my battery backup at night when needed. Can usually get two days out of it.

 

[jags]

As spring approaches I need to start thinking about getting one of these devices this year.