BackcountrySOS: An interesting application

Screenshot of the BackcountrySOS app.
Screenshot of the BackcountrySOS app. 

You can call 911 from a phone without service or sim card - carriers are required to comply in the United States -, but the problem when traveling in the backcountry is the lack of connection to cell towers to make calls. 

The good news is that sometimes calls don't go through in remote places, but texts can because they require less bandwidth - we've experienced this many times. In those cases, this app may help if you are in an area where 911 monitors texts. 

BackcountrySOS communication is monitored in some counties of Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. For someone, the app already worked in an emergency - check this report. 

Of course, this app is an add on and not a substitute to carry satellite communication. 

All the details of BackcountrySOS in this page. 

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