Garmin inReach Mini success story

[AK Granola]

I’ll post a trip report separately, since the accident wasn’t actually part of our hike and we had a wonderful adventure! Returning from a weekend backpacking trip to a wilderness hot springs, my friend and I were hit by an oncoming pickup truck on slippery, fresh snowy roads, out in a remote area with no cell service. My friend was driving and did an incredible job of staying calm while we watched the truck zooming and then careening down a hill towards us, absolutely terrifying. My friend slowed and went as close to the right side guardrail as possible, and the truck smashed into the driver’s side front and door, pushing us up hard against the guardrail. Her driving saved us from a complete head on collision. And thank goodness it wasn’t a semi truck loaded for the north slope or I wouldn’t be writing this.

We checked with each other for injuries – both ok. She had to climb out the back of the vehicle because her door would not open, and went to check on the other vehicle which had gone into the ditch. I assumed that driver was injured and I activated the SOS on my inReach, while thinking about what might be needed to help him until emergency services arrived. He then drove out of the ditch and headed north (we were southbound) and didn’t even check on us!

After the 20 second SOS activation on my inReach Mini, I got a response from Garmin within 1 minute. I was able to use my cell phone app, Earthmate, to send texts through the inReach; my first one was “car accident, no injuries, disabled vehicle.” After a bit of back and forth with Garmin they notified local dispatch who texted me within about 20 minutes. I then texted directly with local dispatch while Garmin stood by. They had no one available to help us, we found out after about 20 more minutes. The weather was gnarly, between 27-32 with fresh rain/snow falling fast, and lots of accidents everywhere. I think our lack of injuries and still having a car with an engine running to keep us warm, made us low priority for any assistance. We managed to get the car to a pullout, so that we weren’t on the slippery highway.

We had friends in two other cars on the trip, but they were both ahead of us. The car directly ahead of us was too far ahead to see the accident, but they eventually stopped and returned to find us. The third car (the farthest ahead) in our party also returned and met us halfway to our rendezvous point after I texted one of the occupants of that car, and they had gotten far enough ahead to get cell service to receive the message. Things got really complicated after that  – it is so incredibly difficult to think straight when you are soaking wet (from our hike to the trailhead), very physically tired, hungry and thirsty, and just got into a scary accident. We managed to drive the broken car to a truck stop, and all got home safely in the good cars. As soon as we had figured out what we were doing, I was able to reach both dispatch and Garmin, apprise them of our circumstances, and to cancel the SOS.

Although we never did see a State Trooper or tow truck, and didn’t need medical, I was really grateful to have the inReach. Without it, our friends would have had no idea what happened to us. And if it had been worse, it would have been many, many hours for help to arrive because we couldn’t even summon anyone from where we were, nor could our friends. We were about 30 or so miles from an area with cell service on a dark, snowy highway.

I would guess that at least 3 semi trucks and probably 5-6 passenger cars and trucks passed our disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on, and NOT ONE stopped to see if we were ok. Not one person gave a damn about whether or not we were ok. That is so un-Alaskan in spirit I was really shocked. Perhaps someone did notify troopers, but that is not good enough. You check to make sure people are safe, warm and give them a ride.

Anyway, grateful to have the inReach, that it was so easy to use and will carry it henceforth. The happy hiker story will come later!

 

[Jerry Adams]

good it turned out well

after you press the SOS button, do they just send you text messages the same as when you send text message to your loved one and they reply?

[AK Granola]

Yes, as soon as the SOS is activated, you can see all their messages on the Earthmate app on your phone. The messages from the IERCC (International Emergency Response Coordination Center) appear in a different text line than those from your local dispatch agency. But it’s pretty easy on the phone. Basically once I was connected with local dispatch, the IERCC is just standing by until you close the SOS.

Although everything ended up ok (as ok as you can be after getting hit by a truck), I could imagine being completely stranded and no one for many hours summoning assistance, because no one would stop. The inReach would be vital.

[Richard N]

Glad you got home in one piece.

Unbelievable that nobody stopped. Perhaps it’s because I’m a motorcyclist, but I stop for anyone who looks like they might need checking on; a thumbs up and I pull back onto the road, a thumbs down and I’m walking over to see what they need. That goes double when outside cell service areas.

I keep my inReach clipped to my riding suit, not just for hikes: if I come off my bike and end up down a hillside, I will not be able to call for help using the phone mounted to the motorcycle…

[Bill in Roswell]

Glad you got out OK. Readers might find it helpful for you to give details on where you were. Alaska is so big that geographic details are relevant.

[Sam Farrington]

Re: “My friend slowed and went as close to the right side guardrail as possible, and the truck smashed into the driver’s side front and door, pushing us up hard against the guardrail. Her driving saved us from a complete head on collision.”

AK, congratulations to you and your driver on coming through such a close shave.  Last winter we also had some hair raising weather in northern New England.  The road was covered with a cement-like snow, topped by an icy glaze surface.  On February 28, was returning to NH from a pre-op in Portland Maine, and the ice had been accumulating all day.  The traction from my Toyota RAV4 hybrid was nil.  As it happened, just at the beginning of a bridge, the car began floating, and at the same time a heavy truck was coming the other way.  Stayed to the right of my lane, and held on for dear life.  We passed each other around the middle of the bridge without incident.  Just lucky I guess.  Had called earlier and they told me the doctor was in.  Next time, will reschedule the appointment.

[Author]

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