Garmin inReach provides satellite communication and SOS functionality

Since 2011, the Garmin Emergency Response Center has received inReach emergency calls from over 150 countries across all seven continents. Emergencies appear to be particularly common in mountainous regions such as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Alps, as well as in almost all areas of New Zealand.

Nobody expects a medical emergency or injury. However, when these two types of incidents are combined, they account for nearly half of all global emergency calls. This demonstrates how inReach assists all users in responding to unexpected or unforeseen events. Almost one in every five incidents was reported by kind individuals who purchased a device for themselves and were thus able to assist someone else in an emergency.

Traffic accidents are the second most common cause of emergency calls (12%). A traffic accident is not a fantasy. This demonstrates that emergencies do not only occur in dangerous situations. Many of these emergencies are simply the result of someone needing assistance while driving and not having cell service. Pet accidents, unexpected natural disasters, and even the happy reunion of a child and parent are examples of InReach Incidents.

Pilots can send and receive messages in the cockpit using the Garmin Pilot app on their smart devices. Garmin Pilot uses the GPS location of the Garmin inReach Mini 2 to display a georeferenced aircraft position icon on a moving map display.

In an emergency, inReach users can quickly make an emergency call thanks to a dedicated SOS button and the Iridium satellite network with 100% global coverage. When an emergency call is reported, the device sends an alert to Garmin Response, a 24-hour emergency response center. Garmin Response communicates with the person in distress, their designated emergency contacts, the appropriate search and rescue services, and any other available local responders. The emergency response center confirms that assistance is on its way, provides status updates on rescue progress, and remains in contact with the victim until the situation is resolved.