Man hits SOS on his Inreach, and is treated poorly.

A recent event where someone was injured and pushed the button:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClwMWr1pGIu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

And another, but doesn’t look like any injuries: https://www.reddit.com/r/socalhiking/comments/zjjb5o/pro_tip_if_youre_out_hiking_all_day_and_want_to/

But a helicopter would be easier for him, plus his belly was empty for at least a day, so for sure helicopter would be best..

What would have been best would have been for the police to not have told him to move and went to find him. 🙃

It concerns me that PLBs are becoming exit ramps instead of ejection seats.

Too many people thinking it’s OK if I get in trouble I can just push the button.

PS. It would be easier to take this kid seriously if he didn’t have 53 affiliate sales links in the video description on YouTube.

I now carry an inReach, but it hasn’t changed how I plan my trips. I still plan from start to finish, have all the navigation I need, the right equipment for the hike, check the weather before starting and sometimes mid-hike, and I hope never to have to activate SOS. I do whatever I can to avoid it. I almost pretend I don’t have it. (although I test it before setting out) It’s not really insurance in case I did a bad job of planning.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use it if I a)were seriously injured or had a medical emergency that prevented a safe hike out  b) someone else were injured, etc. c)had gear failure to the point where I couldn’t safely hike out or stay put until a change occurred (freak weather, lost all my cold weather gear in a fall/river, a wildfire coming my way and no exit, etc.). I wouldn’t use it if I were scared or tired or hungry; that happens every hike at some point! I’ve had to hike 1.5 days without any food over mountainous terrain. It sucks but I own my error. And the post hike pizza was amaayzing!

I still wouldn’t film my rescue; no, I’m not a videographer but it just seems disrespectful to me to do that, but maybe that’s just because I’m old. I also don’t take photos or videos of people who don’t want to be in my picture and I resent those who film me when I’m on a trail. Honestly, I can’t use the language here that I would to address unwanted photography, which is an invasion of my privacy, morally if not legally. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way; when I see videos on YouTube of some hikes, I can see the discomfort of some around the fire, who really want to hang with the group, but have no interest in being in someone’s film.

And I’d still feel a bit embarrassed to have to be rescued, although there’s nothing really embarrassing about a broken leg or a stroke. It just seems weird to publicize it and want the jury of internet trolls to take my side. If this guy had put away the camera, would his rescuers have been more friendly?