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Thinking About an SOS: iPhones and Sat Messengers

By

Jason Albert

Out of cell service but with an open unobstructed sky, within satellite range.

Out of cell service but with an open unobstructed sky, within satellite range.

Undoubtedly, I’ve been lucky. My luck relates to both avalanche avoidance and lightning strikes. This is to say that the slate of deeply saddening avalanche accidents of late has me thinking of my luck over the years and the truth that, in some instances, “this could have been me” applies. The dark and fickle thing…

Responses

  1. Central Park Ski Club

    Similarly, what about the strength of the battery on your X+ year old iphone? Recently, I’ve been thinking about cell phone battery life as a safety precaution. Does your phone hold a good charge… does your partners… does it seemingly die even in airplane mode? We’ve all had that friend whose old iPhone can’t hold a charge for more than a day (i was that friend). What sort of risk does below average battery life and one that especially can’t hold up in cold weather add when recreating in the outdoors? iPhone’s are increasingly more expensive, but thinking about it in this way helped me justify the upgrade from my old iphone 12 mini (great phone by the way).

    1. Jason Albert

      That’s a good point—justifying the cost of an upgrade if it means longer battery life. In recent years, the cell coverage in our local wilderness zone has become more reliable. It follows, too, that I should probably bring a small battery-block to serve as a backup for the phone which might be my backup for the inReach Mini.

      1. Travis

        You can also have Apple put a new battery in your phone for around $100. I did that and the battery life went back to as good as new. Once your phone’s battery health gets to around 80% of original capacity a new battery is a good idea.

        1. Jason Albert

          Thanks for that Travis——I’m learning new things, like how to check for my battery’s capacity compared to when it was new in the Settings.

          1. Slim

            Thanks Travis, I did not know Apple did that, and that I could check. I have also considered upgrading my phone at times, mostly for the battery. I also treasure my 13 Mini, since it’s the last time they made a “mini”. If I replaced it, it would become larger and harder to pack.

            1. Central Park Ski Club

              is the iPhone mini “fast and light”?!

              1. Riley Willetts

                I also have added a tiny portable battery to my repair and first aid kit. It seems like a simple addition as rescue becomes ever more dependent on batteries. I also now run almost all USB c devices, to streamline charging things. Even my emergency bindi headlamp is now USB C instead of batteries!

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