Garmin Releases 2023 Annual inReach SOS Report

Every year Garmin releases a look behind the scenes into the inReach SOS data and some of the interesting figures behind that. inReach devices are used by adventurers and commuters alike all over the world as they utilize the Iridium® satellite network and an SOS can be triggered globally.

Garmin Response is a leader in 24/7 emergency monitoring and incident response coordination services. Using a proprietary emergency monitoring platform that connects to a global database of first responders and emergency services, the dedicated team of skilled emergency response coordinators serves more than 200 countries and territories and supports more than 210 languages.

Just this year, dispatch responses varied from local police and ambulance services on major interstate highways to highly technical helicopter rescues on the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. Responses all over the world — from New Zealand to Norway to Argentina to Canada — were coordinated for plane crashes, grizzly bear encounters, sinking sailboats, skiers in avalanches, stranded divers, injured climbers and many more.

Hikers and backpackers were the number one utilizers of the service while campers were sixth (canoeists aren’t highlighted in the results). Although they don’t break down the statistics by province, judging by the image at the top of the blog post, there were quite a few Canadians who have triggered an SOS event in 2023.

The top reason that inReach users triggered an SOS in 2023 was for injuries. An injury can refer to issues such as broken bones, lacerations or blunt force trauma from a fall. Another top reason was medical issues, which can refer to concerns such as altitude sickness, heart problems and gastrointestinal issues, among others.

Read Garmin’s full break-down for more information as to how inReach was used this past year. Also interesting to note… Garmin offers Search and Rescue insurance here in Canada.