Spot LLC proudly announces that their family of SPOT messenger devices, including the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger and SPOT Connect, have initiated more than 1,900 emergency rescues worldwide. Since 2007, hundreds of hikers, snowmobilers, boaters, pilots, skiers, remote workers and motorists have been assisted by professional rescue personnel thanks to SPOT’s 100% satellite technology. These devices provide users with connectivity in remote off-the-grid areas, beyond the range of cell phone towers and VHF radio frequencies. SPOT allows users to check-in and share their locations with contacts back home. In life-threatening emergencies, users can send SOS messages with their GPS location to the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC). "SPOT devices can take the search out of search and rescue," said Russell Gubele, President and Command Officer of Mountain Wave Search and Rescue near Mount Hood, Oregon. "Being notified of an emergency with the location coordinates allows us to conduct our rescue efforts extremely efficiently saving valuable time and resources. As a result, more people are rescued from often life-threatening situations - saving lives, time and money."
After an SOS message is received, IERCC immediately verifies the incident and notifies the appropriate authorities including local Search and Rescue teams. Rocky Henderson of Portland Mountain Rescue said, "SPOT not only makes things easier for us, I believe it also helps prevent unnecessary search and rescue missions from happening. Being able to let friends and family know that you are okay is a big deal."
SPOT Rescue Highlights (2007-2012):
- A Scout troop leader was crushed by a falling horse in Mount Hood National Forest and airlifted to safety by the National Guard.
- The US Coast Guard rescued two people after their plane suffered a hard emergency landing on an uninhabited island southeast of Cordova, Alaska.
- An Arkansas photographer with a broken pelvis, collar bone and ankle was rescued from a steep ravine after falling 30 feet in Ozark National Forest.
- A backcountry skier was located and rescued after being trapped at high elevation in Norway during a severe winter storm.
- Grand Canyon hikers initiated an air rescue for a member of their party suffering from severe heat exhaustion.
