what you need to know
- Garmin released its 2023 InReach SOS report on Thursday, detailing situations in which Garmin users need emergency assistance.
- Users most often need SOS assistance while hiking, driving, motorcycling, boating, mountain climbing, or camping.
- Garmin uses Iridium satellites and 24/7 Garmin Response emergency service centers to provide services in more than 200 countries and 210 languages.
- As of 2022, Garmin has responded to more than 10,000 SOS requests.
Garmin has released a report on when, where and under what circumstances Garmin InReach users issued SOS warnings in 2023. Garmin says its emergency response teams respond to requests from 100 countries and three oceans.
The 2023 SOS Annual Review report explains that their response spans “plane crashes, grizzly bear encounters, sailboat sinkings, skiers caught in avalanches, divers trapped, climbers injured” and other incidents on six continents. Garmin Response Services coordinates with local EMS teams in more than 200 countries.
The chart below shows some interesting insights into when Garmin users need to save backgrounds. For example, while about a third of incidents occurred while hiking or backpacking, nearly as many occurred while driving, riding a motorcycle, or boating. For people who live in areas with poor cellular coverage, the Garmin InReach can also come in handy in non-gym or camping situations.
Unsurprisingly, “injury” or “medical problem” were two of the three most common reasons for seeking help, with car accidents coming in second. Calls for assistance are also made when users are lost, stranded, seeing wildfires or trying to find another missing person.
On that last point, Garmin also explained that less than half of the reports were for calls made by InReach users alone. Just like many are targeted at fellow travelers or other groups the user finds to be at risk.
After improving the data report, Garmin helped facilitate helicopters, ambulances, search and rescue, police response, vehicle towing and fire response, but the report also explained that it helped users perform “self-rescue” 10% of the time, avoiding the cost of search and rescue. . Currently, Garmin charges $39 per year for SAR insurance in addition to the InReach fee.
While Garmin declined to disclose the specific number of SOS triggers, it did report in 2022 that, 11 years later, it had responded to 10,000 SOS incidents, with the number likely to increase each year as time goes on.
SOS capabilities and satellite connectivity have become more popular features over the past few years, with brands like Apple boasting in ads about how many lives they’ve saved. But its necessity is not always clear. This Garmin SOS report provides data to help you decide whether you need InReach access or other satellite services.
Garmin watches often feature fall detection instead of satellite data, with the ability to send messages to emergency services or emergency contacts via a connected smartphone. But if you go beyond the cell range, you’re out of luck.
What prevents most people from using InReach is cost. We’ve tested devices like the InReach Messenger and GPSMAP 67i, which are very useful in emergencies but cost quite a bit upfront and then require activation and monthly fees. They also allow you to send messages to others outside of emergencies, or allow family members to track your location in real time in case you are injured but unable to send a distress signal yourself.
Still, by looking at reports like this, you’ll find that if you’re planning an outdoor trip somewhere with unreliable cell service, you’d rather choose an option that’s available than one that’s not.