What To Expect When You Hit The SOS Button On The Garmin InReach
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2024
- Video Of My Idaho Hike: • Pushing The SOS Button...
00:00 Hey Y'all
00:54 What Happens When You Push The SOS Button
03:18 From My Mom's (emergency contact) Perspective
09:04 Tips For Being Spotted By The Helicopter
11:06 When Search And Rescue (SAR) Arrives
12:38 It's Okay To Be Embarrassed
14:29 Waiting To Push SOS Makes Things Much HARDER for SAR
17:20 Options For Satellite Communicators
21:31 How Much Does It Cost?
25:21 Different SAR Plans
26:58 Clarifying A Few Things From The Video - Why I Kept Recording
29:35 How I Got The Outside Shot Of The Helicopter Flying Away
30:16 Confusion on How Far I was From The Trail Head
31:25 Why I'm Wearing This Heart Monitor
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Anyone that said you were selfish or a baby or weak has never had to do a search on someone. I spent years in a SAR team in the PNW during the 90s. These PLBs are amazing. I would rather someone push the button and sent us on a direct path for rescue than having to do a full blown search and end up on a recovery mission. Thank you for this video.
For qnyone unfamiliar with SAR vocabulary, "recovery" means retrieving the body of someone who didn't survive.
As another who did SAR in the PNW in the 80's and 90', this hiker did the right thing. I would rather have a person talking while having a cardiac incident than doing another recovery. These PLBs would have been a boon to SAR personal back in the day.
Anyone criticizing doesn't actually understand the toll to those who do the recovery. Cardiac incidents in the back country are not a joking matter. CPR while packing someone out is bloody hard and painful. Also rarely successful.
Anyone who would say that is just a troll anyway, the a-holes of the interwebs never sleep
The PLBs, Inreach Explorers, etc. make SAR so much easier. My grandfather flew PBYs in WWII searching for downed airmen in the Pacific. Although some used devices such as the Gibson Girl, many did not. In one incident my grandfather, being the pilot, and his crew flew around in an area of the Pacific for 8 hours, and found the downed airmen in their final pass.
This is a learning experience for all of us . . .
Since she did mention them . . . the only real *criticism* (or scolding) for Dixie was that she had no insurance as she said it was going to start in a few days(?) Why was there a laps in coverage?
As far as the decision to push the button . . . She pretty much had to call for help because trying to walk out alone she might have gotten too dizzy and fallen even if someone else was carrying her pack. Falls are the #1 cause of death for hikers.
Most SAR operations are not charged in the USA so I wonder if it had something to do wither her being a professional RUclipsr. As a professional you kinda also need to have LIABILITY insurance to do anything in this day and age. That fact that Dixie is not rich or even a homeowner might help get a better negotiated price for the helicopter ride
My own coverage is lapsed, I'm not backpacking right now so I'm reactivating my SAR insurance today because someone might talk me into a backpacking trip on short notice and I might not think about it in time so I better have it all the time at the price of a single dinner and beer in a restaurant.
Dixie, old retired fireman and SAR guy says you MUST take care of yourself and you shall feel no guilt for mashing the button. Those that criticize have a comfortable seat to sit back and share uninformed foolishness. Armchair Quarterbacks will always speak out. You are wonderful and we wish you a speedy recovery and back on the trail.
Bur she shall avoid some situations as well. Running trails at night, sliding down steep hills, ... maybe fun, but shall not be done at remote places.
She's not getting younger. She has to do shorter steps with her medical history. Who cares, if she needs one or two days longer. I watch her channel because of the great nature footages. Not because she is fast. She has problems to breath. This affects the heart rate. And the other way around. So she has to learn quickly what her body is able to do.
Accidents can happen. But you can avoid many of them. Especially if you are alone at remote places. Same for heart/breathing problems. Outdoor activities are a great therapie for them... if you set your targets well.
@@crumblethecookie6118 She has hiked already all of the longest hikes in US - and if she doesn't know her body by now - she never will....
There is only one unpredictable thing that affects us all - change....
@@istra70 you can be trained to ignore what you are hearing.
Great to get you out of such situations. But sadly it get you most of the time into them.
Hi Dixie, thank you for helping educate us from your experiences (even the really tough ones). Your original and this Garmin SOS update video is most helpful. Garmin, search & rescue and the hospital should assist and endorse your efforts to educate “we the people” using our state and national parks and how/when to best use their services when needed. I am planning to thruhike the JMT Aug/Sept 2024 (assuming proper permit approvals) and have looked into Garmin messaging and insurance. Sound advice. I think the only question I have is that (I think) Garmin search and rescue insurance requires an active messaging subscription from the same subscriber (one cannot buy the Garmin insurance and then use a friends active messaging subscription). I would appreciate any clarification you have on this as we plan to thruhike the JMT Aug/Sept 2024 (pending permits approvals).
@@crumblethecookie6118 do you like lecturing and trying to be right.....
I saw a video about a guy (Jon Conti) who pressed the SOS button when he was hiking in the snow. His location was near a frozen lake, with mountains all around and very deep snow in every direction. His route back to his starting point was all but impossible in his condition. He had plenty of supplies but had run out of gas to cook with, and there was no dry wood to burn. He didnt think he was able to make it out in his current condition so he called in SAR.
Garmin SOS, delegated to SAR, SAR delegated to the local country sherifs who drove out on snow mobiles to the nearest trail head that on the map was at the top of a VERY steep hill and looked all but impossible for him to get to on foot. They then walked down to him via a trail that wasn't clearly marked and proceeded to take the piss out of him. Took selfies, and posted his name and details on their facebook page shaming him for pressing the button.
When you watch the video from his perspective I think anyone else would have pressed it too. The local serifs were just total dicks about it.
SOS is not just a immediate life or death thing. It can also be psychological. It can also be pre-emptive. As you say, if you think you need to press it. Press it. Humans generally have a pretty good gut instinct about impending life or death situations.
I've seen the same video. He was found just down the hill from a trail.
@@rfcbass6810 but if you look on his map, the route from where he was to the trail looked like a significant slope. Traversing that in very deep snow, with no supplies to hunker down with if he runs into more issues, and no idea what conditions lay ahead, is foolish. He was also miles from his original start point in the other direction, so even if he made it to the trail he would still have to trek out without any food due to the lack of fuel.
Regardless, if he felt he was not capable of making it out then he was justified in pressing the button. They were not, however, justified in taking the piss out of him, and publicly DOXing him. They are supposed to be professionals.
@@AdrianBawn It's real easy to say "oh you should have just walked out" when you've spent the last however many hours sitting in a heated office and you rode in on snowmobiles.
Heat loss is insanely debilitating to your cognitive functions, let alone your motor skills, so I don't think a single one of those guys would be laughing if they were in his place.
I was actually just thinking about that video when I saw this. Without being a quarterback. As far as I'm concerned what they did was it completely unacceptable. Even if it's not your emergency, it's somebody's emergency it should be treated as such.
@@AdrianBawn all I said was exactly what happened. He was found not far from a trail. That's it. Never inputted anything else.
"More compassion and less judgement" is a life time motto for how to live. Thank you Dixie!😘
Great motto!! Not over done, it's the way to live!! Thank you for this helpful (!) video!!! 👃✌️🥰🇨🇦
AMEN!
I cannot believe that anyone would criticize you for seeking help. You were having heart issues for god's sake, along with shortness of breath and fatigue. You did the right thing. Shame on anyone who thinks they know how you felt and what you should have done, for all you know you were saving your own life. They are the same people who would be super upset if it was them and SAR wasn't there in 5 minutes because they just know it all, right??
I was thinking the same thing. For anyone who has been in A-Fib, it is a very scary feeling.
My feeling is this. No one is making them watch. Unsubscribe and leave her alone. If one cannot say something positive, please walk away.
Having cared for someone who had a-fib for over a decade, I can concur - people who think they know what is best for you are the worst. You did exactly what you should have. And yes, the worry that you are bothering someone or embarrassed to ask for help before its almost too late is real, but never let it stop you fro pushing that button. It matters more than I hope you will ever know.
@@rifleshooterchannel208, you seem to be ignorant about cardiac issues. Rather to be rescued in reasonable condition than to be found unconscious or dead. Maybe you should study medical facts a bit more.
@@rifleshooterchannel208 Hey everyone, here's someone with zero experience with cardiac issues teaching us all about cardiac issues. Maybe you should read the comments from EVERY SINGLE paramedic and search and rescue person in here that is saying she did exactly the right thing and THANKING HER for doing so. Don't you think it's a bad idea to wait until you can't move or talk to call for help?
Garmin didn't publish this... but they should have. Garmin should be paying Dixie for the over-the-top content that is so valuable to anyone that goes out into the wilderness. Thanks Dixie!!
Dixie would be an excellent spokesperson. I guarantee after these videos, they are probably making big profits from her.
I bought my garmin because of Dixie!
@@travellingtash1380ditto!
You are so right
We are now in talks.
Two months ago, I had to use my ZOLEO to end a hike in Colorado after 5 days. After 50 years of hiking and backpacking I had to get out because of what turned out to be altitude sickness which contributed to rhabdomyolysis. Your experience was so familiar, down to the type of helicopter. Your video helped me stop beating myself up about bailing out. Thanks so much.
So glad you’re okay!
Rhabdo is no joke. Doctors thought I was in sepsis. Spent a week in the hospital.
Thanks for hitting that button searching for older hikers sucks
Rhabdo is extremely dangerous. I am so glad you called for help. Don't ever think twice again about this! God bless!
It is a brave and wise person who can set emotions aside and make difficult decisions. I hope I have the same wisdom and courage if/ when I am in need of help! You did the right thing!
As an active member of search and rescue you did the right thing!! Its sooooo much easier to find you if you can talk to us! 4hrs to hospital is GREAT response time! Those teams have got it dialed in! Good job all the way around!
It is ! I got my hand broken in a sky slope in the Alpes, I was in a town. There was a doctor who made xray of my hand. But it tooks 4 hours to go the hospital to go to the OR !
When Dan Becker got rescued earlier this year, he said something I wouldn't have thought of. His motivation for filming his experience was so that his family would understand what happened to him in the event he didn't make it out. Even though it would be absolutely devastating to watch, your family and friends would have appreciated being able to hear and see you talk about what you were going through. It would have answered a lot of questions for them. So, yeah, not that you needed encouragement about your choice to film, but just one more reason why that choice was the right one.
I just watched Dan’s video you mentioned. Another very scary situation that happened to someone that I consider am expert. As someone just getting into hiking myself these videos are valuable information.
I couldn't agree more, it also helps in cases that remain unanswered as to what some people face. It might not seem like it but it does help in cases. absolutely . thank you.
I do searches with human remains detection dogs sometimes months and years after someone disappears. After that length of time, we are finding scattered bones. Family are looking for any answers they can get. A note or video in that context makes total sense.
As a 20 year SAR volunteer, I can assure you that you did the right thing. I agree, if you are questioning whether to push the button, then it’s time to do it.
Sometimes a helicopter is not available and the team may have to hike to you. Also, most teams are volunteers. As result, it takes time to gather and start into the field. I don’t think most realize that it can take a lot of time.
absolutely, even to coordinate a helicopter take time.
Really good points. It isn’t like a cartoon where a Ranger drops in via hot air balloon. Real humans have to gather and arrange transportation.
Thanks for the insights. Do you also have an idea, why Dixie was changed the 60k for the helicopter lift? I know it is a highly specialized helicopter and they had to fly twice, but still it sounds like a lot.
It varies by state and I only have experience in New Mexico. If a helicopter is required, we try to get either the State Police, the National Guard, the Border Patrol or Army helicopter to respond. They will not charge the subject. If they are not available, the last resort is a commercial medical response helicopter. My understanding is that these charge a minimum of $10,000. Time and distance impacts the price. Helicopters are expensive beasts to operate.
@@jeeptrekker Thank you very much for the details! I did not thing about commercial available helicopters. But yes - I could imagine: this is a specially equipped helicopter with very expensive maintenance and highly trained specialists operating it. And they had to come twice.
$12,000 is still crazy, but so much better than $62,000. Thank you for sharing all the insurance stuff! So helpful!
I work on a medical helicopter and most people don't understand the billing, because nobody explains it. A small helicopter can cost $5 million. Salary for the Pilot, Mechanic, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic and management can cost $1 million per year, and maintenance and fuel on the helicopter can cost over $1 million per year. Housing, travel to work and ground vehicles can cost hundreds of thousands a year. Now the revenue: A helicopter can't fly if there are too many clouds in the sky at certain elevations or if there is fog, or certain rain and most snow conditions. There are weather issues, staffing issues and bill collection issues. Insurance often pays a fraction of the bill or refuses, then the Patient can refuse and now the bill is ZERO. So there is often limited money coming in and massive amounts of money going out as the crew doesn't take very many flights over the course of the year because of weather and no staff. And thats why so many helcopter bases are shutting down. Way more money to operate than there is money coming in.
@@adamr8628 thanks for this info. Curious, do you think there’s a way to cover the costs through membership? I bought helilift insurance $60/year and thought that was seriously reasonable. I’m curious if it just needs marketing/awareness to become a common sense tool for hikers to have. Best part, it weighs nothing in the pack.
I'm an InReach owner who carries it with me into remote (Sometimes about as remote as it gets) trips in Southeast Asia and I've always wondered how good Garmin would be about delegating a rescue. I'm sure it would be different communicating with SAR efforts in a different country, but it's great to know they're responsive and quick to arrange communications with rescue and your emergency contact. Glad you're ok!
I got really sick once, and probably would have died if I was alone. My condition deteriorated from laughing and hiking to expelling all the liquid in my body and loosing 100% of the feeling and function in my hands and feet within a minute or two, so anyone who's hating and saying you wasted resources has no idea what they're talking about.
I am only ~99% certain, but I believe that the Garmin inreach uses two different types of satellite signals, the first (and the reason you have to pay a subscription) is for commercial communication satellites, for the "friends and family can track you on a map" and the "honey I finished my hike, but my car won't start because the lights were on, and I'm out of cell range, so please bring some jumper cables" features, and a 406MHz Copas-Sarsat signal, for the "I'm really fucked, please send everything, and sent it yesterday" signal that every modern PLB, ELT and EPIRB uses.
I'm only 99% sure, because I haven't explicitly researched the inreach, and sometimes companies do stupid things in the name of cost cutting.
I was in SAR for 26 years. This individual did absolutely the right thing. And having the Garmin give exact coordinates is such a blessing for the SAR teams. Makes them much more efficient. I never hike or ski anywhere without mine! Shit happens.
Hey y’all!
After I get my heart monitor off and my testing is all complete, I’ll do a more detailed video of all the medical stuff that happened on trail and give y’all an update with my results. Thank you for checking in on me ♥️
Update: GOAL WAS REACHED! I can’t thank y’all enough 😭
For those of y’all who asked how you can contribute to costs of search and rescue, here is the link to do so: www.gofundme.com/manage/dixies-wilderness-emergency-fund
I'll pray for you 🙏
I'm from Auburn, AL, originally (shared connection with ya I guess Dixie) and my granddad told me if you don't have to be carried off the field on a stretcher then you better walk off or keep playing. I think this mentality is great in that it encourages us to be brave, dedicated and strong but also can be tricky if we don't use nuance. I have learned this myself with my health and not knowing when to go to the hospital bc I didn't have insurance and I made things much worse on myself. anyhow ty for making this series I have a garmin and I won't go outside without it, i even take it on road trips for times when I'm not in service and I need help. I'll be getting that insurance too for my wife and myself since we both adventure. GPS chips are gonna be in phones soon and I think that's great, I'm sure there will be an additional plan but it's well worth it. Also a note about GPS reception is that you need 3 satellites to triangulate your position so that ridge next to you we could see during the event probably was blocking a satellite which would definitely affect message transmission times. I generally think the garmin is slow AF in terms of messaging so it may just be a slower tech when we are used to gb of data but I'd say that tech via satellite is coming too. hope this helps someone out there. cheers.
I appreciate your vulnerability with all of this. I was shocked (not sure why) to hear that you were getting ripped on for the rescue. I watched my husband pass out in front of my from A-fib, turned out his CPAP settings were not right. He has emergency meds for that now. A-fib is no joke and for the people who called this a panic attack, that is entirely different. When he was in the ER they were going to shock him if his heart rate didn’t return to normal. I have panic attacks and no one suggested getting the paddles out for that. Thank you for you bravery and hugs to your mom!!
It's not as if you're an amateur. My God, you're a triple crowner 👑. I know you would have only used the SOS if you absolutely needed to. Don't listen to the haters Dixie.
Dan Becker here on RUclips also had to push SOS. There is no shame in any of this. I believe that you did the right thing. Your channel educates all of us and gives options for problem solving! PS. I somehow got unsubscribed from your channel. Human error 🤷🏻♀️🤣I thought it was odd that I didn’t see videos. The SOS video was in my recommended list of videos. Thank you for all you do 💕🙋🏻♀️🏔️
I had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter before. I did have insurance. Receiving the bill was still about $50,000 and insurance was only willing to cover $4,000. After about a year of talking with insurance and the helicopter company, I ended up paying about $8,000 out of pocket. I hope this information helps. Glad you made the decision to push the SOS!
I'm a nurse and think this is a fantastic video. You literally covered everything I wanted to know about this experience. Thank your mom for her imput, and so glad you are feeling better, and had some coverage for that helicopter ride!
From a backpacking guide and former fire rescue professional of 14years, good on you for handling this situation the way you did and for sharing this information with others. From my rescue experience I tell people All The Time that we’d rather be called for a “lower risk situation” than to not be called, or worse yet, called too late. From my backcountry guide experience I’ve learned that education and sharing of experiences, like you’ve done here, can absolutely save lives. At the very least it provides peace of mind for those heading out on their own adventures.
Yes it does ❤
As a 15 year firefighter/paramedic, and given her specific situation, pushing the button was the smart choice.
I don't think it was, she clearly panicked, but she knew the drug she was taking was the potential cause. She should have rested in the tent, stop the medication immediately, eventually regained her strength, and walked back the day after. She pressed the button because she panicked. She would not have pressed it, if she knew how much that would have cost her. Lucky for her, she is at least partially covered. What she did is legit, but not necessarily a smart choice.
@@biomorphic She was presenting a-fib with tachycardia and shortness of breath and fatigue. That's a 911 call and a paramedic transport in any situation.
@@biomorphic Perhaps you missed the part in the first video where she said her biological dad died in his 30s from heart disease. That adds quite a different dimension to the medical side. I don't agree she panicked; I think she was fairly thoughtful given the situation. As a person in a medical field, I can attest that it's much better to call early and not wait until it's starting to get dark and substantially add to the task for SAR.
I definitely missed that part to be honest.@@cynthiastandley5742
@@biomorphic two words, "don't watch" hope your not in the 911 field.
Being a nurse in cardiology, I do think that you did the best thing pushing the help buttom. When you know you've trained, you know your health status, you've been hiking for so long. Something was off. Take care of yourself and hope you'll be back on the paths real soon. Greetings from Switzerland. And yes, good insurance when you go hiking is a must, even if like me it's not in the wild.
Wow, what's up with people?? You have nothing to be embarrassed about, and shame on those folks who feel compelled to hate on you. Your video(s) are extremely educational and spot on. Someone such as yourself, who has spent time on the trail has accumulated a vast understanding of your body and how it responds to stress and recovery, so you know what feels right or wrong and wouldn't make an important decision lightly. Keep up the good work.....
So grateful I live in U.K. I am an experienced solo hiker, 70 years old and don’t carry an emergency beacon of any kind. However, I have been considering purchasing and now you have confirmed my decision. Before anyone comments thinking U.K. is a little country with no isolated trails, I have this year hiked a 180 mile trail and on one two day spell I spoke only to cows and sheep!
Why am I grateful I live in the U.K.? We pay for our health care through contributions taken from our pay whether we use the medical services or not. Now I am retired I don’t pay contributions but am entitled full health care of any sort. Also, emergency services are free in the U.K. Rescue by helicopter or any other device won’t result in a bill! 🇬🇧 I agree with comments that Garmin should use your video as an educational aid and pay. I also agree with comments criticising negative views which obviously have been made prats! Take care. Love your videos. Love to your mum.❤
I'm from the UK. Knowing that people from a developed and wealthy country like the US are hesitating to call emergency services out of fear of rescue/hospital bills is unbelievable for me. Hopefully they will have a better healthcare in the future.
America desperately needs a single payer healthcare system!
Agree totally. The only issue is that mountain rescue isnt funded and have to be carried out by unpaid volunteers, sometimes risking their own safety for ours and they rely on donations or fundraising for their kit. Whenever I see a collection box for MR, I always put some money in - figure I am 'paying in instalments' for a service that I hope not to need..!
@@robbrigham5926Despite healthcare being super expensive, search and Rescue teams (on the ground, not helicopters) are almost always volunteers in the US as well. They usually get some equipment funding from their county but the volunteers have to spend tons of money themselves in addition to volunteering their time.
Uk mountains are so hard even the sas have died!
THAT WAS SMART TO FILM YOURSELF. Murders have been solved because ppl had the foresight to take a picture or video. I am so glad you are okay and that you found ppl to stay with you. You had a medical crisis, never feel bad about asking for help.
Thank you ♥️
I'm a 70 year heart attack survivor I've been wanting to go hiking/packing again but have been worried about the risks or doing so. This video of your experience and the supporting information you provide has been extremely helpful and useful. As others have said, sharing your experience will probably save many lives. Please know that sharing your experience has made the world a better and safer place. Also, to all the SAR folks out there, thank you for doing what you do!
I was a SAR Pilot/Paramedic for over 24 years that has performed @1000 rescues in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Thank you for sharing for your experience and you should ignore the keyboard “experts”. In the remote wilderness a simple twisted ankle or illness can and will lead to the inability for self-rescue. We have taken many fit adults with reported “not feeling good” out of the mountains with the start of HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). Spot/PLP’s were a game changer for SAR, it eliminated countless hours of searching for the victim. From an aircrew perspective, it is still difficult to locating a victim even when we have their exact coordinates. Most of our victims assume we can see them from the air, we cannot, most people blend into the environment. I jokingly tell the victims it’s difficult to see them when they insist on wearing “REI earthen colors”. I would like to add a few recommendations: 1- always, always, always carry a signal mirror, learn how to use it. 2- Carry something bright, I carry a reflective nylon vest (like state troopers wear at traffic accidents), they are compact, light weight and reflect light. And/or carry fluorescent orange nylon streamers, you can tie them to nearby saplings and if windy they will move. From the air we notice colors and movement and the streamers will give the pilot important surface wind indications. More agencies are performing rescues at night using Night Vision Goggles. We can see light from miles away, keep as many lights on, or in strobe mode as possible. Safe future travels!
Hey Dixie, As a person old enough to be your parent, I am very glad that you pushed that button. I am so glad that there are so many keyboard warriors that know your body and medical issues so well that they can reccommend the proper response for your medical needs. Dont let all these fools bother you or slow you down. I have followed your channel since the AT, sharing your life through a camera is what you do. Please never stop, and always follow your adventurous heart. The best of luck figuring out the issues so that you can get back on trail. Keep smiling.
Very well said👏👏👏
Another father aged watcher here. I agree with pawpaw 💯
You will almost certainly save lives with these videos. As a fellow solo backpacker and inReach carrier, I thank you. People who are criticizing you here don't understand heart problems, period. Or empathy, or how to be good humans.
This. A-fib killed my boyfriend 5 years ago. He was fine until he wasn't and a few days later he was gone. He was in his 30s and relatively healthy. You think it cant happen, but it can.
I like how every search and rescue professional and every medical professional that commented both in the videos and here in the YT comments section all said "you did exactly the right thing." But a few keyboard warriors in their comfy chairs and air conditioned houses thought they knew better. Thanks for filming and sharing your experience, it teaches us all a lot. Glad you're OK, Dixie!
People who complained that you took search and rescue’s time when someone else may have needed them more really are underestimating emergency responders and their systems. They know how to prioritize rescues. They are professionals. I am so glad you are ok! My husband was on a solo backpacking trip at they time you posted your video and I was thinking at the time that if he had the same situation I would want him to press that button and I am not sure he would of … that really worries me.
I'm a full time Paramedic for my county, and you most definitely did the right thing. Pushing yourself harder could have caused some serious cardiac issues, possibly even an MI. Now, if someone had called me at 3am because they haven't pooped in 4 days then we'd have a problem.
Send them to a Taco Bell drive-thru if they ever do call.
Excellent video. Safety first !! As a cardiac nurse , Atrial Fib can be very dangerous. You could have thrown a clot to your heart , brain , lungs ect and that’s game over in the woods. I’m so glad you pushed that button. Showing us what happens when you do was excellent. Thank you Dixie.
Dixie, as a ski patroller, RN & sailor, you absolutely were right to "mash" that button. Afib is serious & a clot would have been either debilitating or worse. Great information. I hope many people watch and take this seriously. If one thinks they need emergency assistance, then do it. Be well & Happy Holidays.
My son is a solo hiker in all conditions, seasons, places. Having an emergency device gives us BOTH peace of mind. Not a single person on this planet should have the ability to judge another’s actions during an emergency and make commentary. We are drawing on how we feel, life experience, how it affects OUR loved ones. I can’t imagine any of you have led identical lives. If you liken a life threatening heart condition to a broken toe, you have issues. I can even live without that toe.. your heart? Shut your ridiculous mouths. Speedy recovery, Miss Dixie. The education is priceless. Thank you. ❤
Thank you for this video and the way you’ve made the negative comments a teaching opportunity. I’m a physician and I can tell you we much prefer it when patients can speak with us about their health issues rather than being farther along and unresponsive. Best wishes with everything yet to come.
That’s maybe the best part, having people speak up before it’s worse than it needs to be.
( from Valerie E.)
Hearing Mama Mills get upset, is heartbreaking. Im glad everything is ok, and you had the garmin to begin with. Great video Dixie! This was extremely informative!
Oh, that was awful. As a mom, I got teary myself. Hard to watch, but what a great video!
This should be required viewing for anyone with or considering these devices! Props to the SAR team and to Justin at Garmin for being amazing at his job! Great video!
You are so sweet-remaining polite and respectful in addressing these trolls. This has been a very insightful and informative video, and why would you NOT have recorded this. As an In-Reach owner who has fortunately never had to press the SOS, I now know what to tell my family to expect to happen if I do. Glad you’re safe!
Thank you Dixie. I’m an older backcountry hunter with ongoing health issues and I’ve always had questions about what I could expect should I ever need to hit the button. You’ve addressed most of them here and I feel a lot better about things and many of my doubts are allayed.
My philosophy has always been that it’s always better to get help BEFORE you’re immobile or before your condition has progressed to the point where you can’t help the people who are trying to help you. You made the right choice.
Thank you for telling us about your experience and I’m sure as hell glad you got out of there ok
I, too, had a recent emergency requiring evacuation from the back-country. Garmin's team were wonderful at letting my family (my emergency contacts) know, step by step, how the rescue was being planned and executed. Their calm voices went a long way to keeping my family calm through several worrying hours. Having the capacity to call for help was the most crucial piece, but now knowing how the process unfolds we feel even more how valuable the service is.
I glad you are OK!
This video is sooo valuable. I am not an overnight backpacker/hiker that explores remote areas. But I am getting older, I am out of shape and I enjoy short hikes and kayaking ... both often solo. The kayaking I do is generally on State Park reservoirs that have decent traffic, but as soon as I disappear into a cove no one is likely to see or hear me if something goes wrong. The are a lot of scenarios that could leave me stuck/immobile. Even though I'm in densely populated Ohio it's VERY common for me to not have cell coverage on the water. I keep my InReach clipped to my life jacket (as well as my cell phone) in case I get separated from my boat. I hope to never have to use it of course, but it's good to know that it DOES work. THANK YOU for sharing your experience.
I think it took a lot of courage to share this video & I hope you know how much your fellow backpackers appreciate it. You are helping others make a decision to push the button when it could save their life. Thanks for sharing this video. Today we are putting our garmin in reach insurance on auto renew. Sending you love and good vibes from NC!
I'm a backcountry canoe camping in Canada. This and the previous video are absolutely invaluable! It's incredible Dixie was able to capture such an event. We often talk about it the what-if scenarios that could result in th eneed for an evac and what it would all entail. There isnt a lot of good info on this. From my perspective as someone who does this kind of activity, these video's are invaluable and incredibly helpful and in some ways maybe even life savings if not saving a lot of money. that added up to about $100k Canadian! Thanks for sharing everything Dixie!
Well said and I completely agree. Dixie is a treasure and the content she shares with us all is invaluable. Being prepared and having a good idea what to expect when "something" does happen can make it a better outcome and possibly even save a life!
You did the right thing. One suggestion…after you straighten out the insurance, make sure you call the hospital and the air ambulance company and try to negotiate the bill down to something more manageable. I had a couple of emergency room visits the last couple years and was able to negotiate the bill by almost half on both occasions.
Some hospitals will give you a "cash discount" or a "self-pay discount" but you HAVE to ask. The staff aren't allowed to tell you they have it unless you ask. I had one sort of coach me into asking and she sounded so relieved when I did- you could tell she wanted to tell me but couldn't offer the discount until I asked.
Yes! You are exactly right. Most people just don’t call. My wife has done this several times.
I can't think of a single RUclipsr I've learned from more than you. You're an actual inspiration.
Smarter everyday, tom scott, mark rober etc...
You and Dan Becker should totally do a collaboration on getting rescued on the Trail. Thank you so much for this video and for having the presence of mind to videotape the whole event and this follow up. It helps us all know what to expect. You absolutely did the right thing by pushing SOS.
My husband and I were trapped by a massive landslide in Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand in 2021 and despite a terrifying experience we still felt embarrassed about sending out an SOS. We had to wait out the night because it was a weather event and we chose not to put any searchers lives at risk but the relief when a very muddy fireman arrived in the morning to help us get out and the easing of the mental load was immense. So many people helped us that day it was truly humbling. In NZ the government pays for all search and rescue costs and we have a free hospital service. We are very lucky here and hey the hiking is great here too.
I can't believe how many negative comments you have recieved! All the implications that you are some sort of drama queen or attention wh*** are completely ridiculous! I have been watching your videos since you first hiked the AT and you are so genuine. I thank you so much for sharing your experience and your mom's experience too. You are a blessing, and anyone who says otherwise can just go... elsewhere.
brilliant idea i have never thought of using an emergency blanket as an emergency signal mirror.
That was an excellent follow up video! I’ve been an outdoor guide for over 40 years and I have trained thousands of people on how to handle emergencies like yours. A team of Hollywood writers could not have written a better script than you did for that video. Considering your video was a better public safety announcement than the government could produce, the cost of your rescue should’ve been waived due to special circumstances. Thank you for promoting safety in the great outdoors!
Thanks for giving us your mom’s perspective. It really helps with information we should share with our emergency contact (s).
My wife and I have had many wonder adventures in the backcountry, including the Sierras, thanks to the guidance and encouragement you provided via your videos over the past several years. I purchased a Garmin mini for backpacking after watching one of your videos. You really never know when an unexpected emergency will occur. Recently my wife fell and broke her arm on a XC course and on a different occasion I suffered a ruptured quad tendon on a local trail and was unable to walk. We both required emergency assistance. Thank goodness we were in an urban area and did not need to hike a day or more out. Glad you made it out ok. Thanks (again) for sharing. More lessons learned for all of us.
This system is worth its weight in gold, a true last resort life saver when everything else fails.
Great video. It gave me a few things to think about.
A trick for using a signal mirror:
Put you finger near the target and move the reflected light over it, back and forth, moving it towards the target. Or you can create a V with your fingers in a similar fashion, and place the target inside the V. Of course this only works when there is enough light.
You can use this aiming technique with a bright light or laser, if there isn't enough sunlight to get the job done.
Best take away from this video, besides bringing the SOS capable device, would be to always carry a bright, contrasting piece of material, to use as a signal. It can also be used to mark you trail, or campsite, should you have to deviate for some reason (i.e. using the Latree).
Great to know about the AAC and Garmin options. I was evacuated from the JMT a few years ago with displaced fracture in my arm and I felt stupid about calling for help. I kept saying I could walk, for crying out loud, and we were only about 15 miles from a TH. It's a huge macho issue for many, to be self sufficient and not need help. Lot's of mountaineering stories about suffering and toughing it out help perpetuate the feeling that you shouldn't call for help unless you are at death's door. Fortunately my brother in law made the call on his Garmin when I went unresponsive after the accident for about 10 minutes so by the time I was able to argue it was a moot point. I feel also fortunate that I was in a NP. I was very afraid of a huge bill for the helicopter, but never got one. My understanding (anecdotal) is that NP's would rather you call for rescue than try to tough it out because of the cost. Seriously bad situations are a LOT worse for S&R and they would rather do a bunch of routine transports than have to do a multi-day search for a body.
Glad you are OK, and best wishes on managing your A-Fib.
I think people are afraid to lose their lifesavings in America over health issues...that's why they try to toughen up, not to look macho on Facebook or RUclips...
When in doubt always push the button.any SAR member will tell you it is easier to rescue than search and RECOVERY
I always carry a EPRIB
I've experienced tachicardia on trail. Heart rate was north of 145bpm and I was nearly taken to my knees from it. I wasn't very far from my car so I chose to go for it because I didn't have a Garmin. It requires lots for discipline to remain calm and it's extremely stressful and frightening.
Dixie did a great job of containing her fear and using good judgement. It helped having other people come across her and remain with her.
Happy ending.......
Comments like this always put into perspective for me how bad my condition is... 145bpm to me is a pretty normal 'oh, I over did it a bit today, I should sit down.' rate.
I don't start fretting until it hits at least 160, and my record is 189... I've never been to the hospital for any of those incidents, because they clear up pretty quick... but this reminds me that I AM disabled. This is a serious condition. It isn't normal to have a heart rate of 120+ all the time.
Being alone on a trail with this condition makes it a more serious concern. At the time I didn’t know if I was about to have a heart attack. Tachycardia was diagnosed by a cardiologist after the incident.
A heart scan showed that I had a scar more likely from the AFib.
Two thoughts on this video:
1) This video is a keeper. That was a *terrific* walk-through* of what happens when you push the SOS button. I've carried an InReach for a few years on my hikes, but after watching this I'm going to update my list of procedures for my emergency contact folks.
2) I'm very pleased to hear you are doing OK and under the care of a good cardiologist!
This is why you have the SOS. I carry my inreach and have always thought that I would hesitate if I ever had to push the button. I'm 60 years old and hike all the time. Often times I have been more than a half days hike back to any civilization. If I got into trouble I would really have to use this SOS. So hearing your experience tells me that it's OK to do so. Thank you for an EXCELLENT video!
The part with your Mother really identified with me. 2011, I was on a date hike in the White Mountains and missed a turn down to my car. We were heading on the Garfield Ridge instead of turning down to the car. We made it to a trail junction at North Lafayette before I realized what happened. I had always told my mother to call Fish and Game if I was late in posting since this predated my Garmin. She did just that. F&G called her every hour. They even looked at my Facebook and discerned that I had a lot of experience. I was packed for at least an overnight and my mother knew this. They were going to wait until morning but I got us down to the main road (Route3). We started walking back to our cars at the trail head 5 miles away. Well, because my mother had enacted a plan, the State police were also actively looking. Contact was made and we got a ride back to the trailhead. I worried my mother and aunt in North Conway NH that day but, my mother knew what to do and had confidence in me. Now, it was November which meant ice and snow up there in NH. I had fallen a few times, cut up my back and bruised myself pretty good. I was exhausted after driving to my aunts house past midnight and of course they were too waiting for me. But, all is well because I had a plan and it was activated. Yes, always push the button or in my case alert someone. Your life is worth way more than the cost of S&R. We joke about it now but at the time it was pretty serious. I remember having soup at my aunts house at 1am. It was the best! I never saw him again.
I guess the bright side of the naysayers is that it allowed you to really explain in detail many of the things that help us understand exactly what happened and exactly what you did and needed to do during this situation, I think you did the right thing and I appreciate you showing us what you did and how you did it.
Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us Dixie. In my opinion you 100% should have called for help…I’m a registered nurse and I work in a hospital…we admit patients weekly for Atrial Fibrillation…it’s a serious heart arrhythmia and requires immediate intervention…if you had continued to hike out further stressing your heart it could have led to a rapid ventricular rate which is clearly a medical emergency requiring IV medications and electrical cardio version…and a risk of untreated A Fib is also blood clots…which the hospital staff mentioned. This experience while terrifying for you and your family has turned into a learning experience for all of your followers…thank you so much for sharing and also addressing the insurance coverage part of this as well. I hope your recovery and tests go well for you Dixie❤
Your mom is so relatable. It’s terrifying but you are so right and generous for sharing your experiences
I had a "cardiac event" 3/4 of a mile in, while bow hunting by myself, and no cell signal. I had no history or signs of heart problems. I carry a " O- SHIT " bag I kept emergency gear in. One of the items was a Altoids tin with misc. pills. The handful of baby aspirin i took, and not panicking, saved my life. A 4-1/2 hour walk, 30 feet at a time, got me to my truck. 4 days later, a triple bypass. Best wishes and a speedy recovery from S.E. Ohio and a few hundred yards away from the Buckeye Trail !
Omgosh. So thankful you made it! Scary.
You don't owe ANYONE an explanation of your actions. You did what needed to be done to save yourself. I think a ton of people who watch you are under the impression that you had a filming crew with you on this trip, too. Probably most of the negative comments are coming from inexperienced backpackers; they seem to be the judgemental ones. Most folks who live trail life are peaceful souls. Thank you for the much-needed information that you provide to the hiking community. Your videos have been extremely helpful and informative over the years. I hope that you don't let trolls discourage you or make you second-guess yourself. There's no way any of those negative responses came from anyone with even half of the experience on trail that you have. Lol. Your momma made me cry too. 😢🙂 God bless her.
SINCERELY, thankyou for pushing that button. I have 2 heart conditions I was born with and I exercise to improve my heart health.(I love hiking) This could be me one day and knowing what to expect is amazing! Thank you thank you thank you x1000.
Glad you are safe and sharing your experience. One other thing to consider is if the helicopter cannot land and you need to be winched up you will most likely have to leave your pack behind.
Anyone who’s been watching your channel for long should know you’re not the scammy, clickbait, disingenuous type.
Thank you for the follow up. I’m glad you appear to be doing well. And I appreciate having a better idea of what a mountain rescue involves.
Also, calling Dixie a baby for asking for help is a hilarious thing to do really. The lady has a triple crown and has survived alone in the woods for years now 😂
I am an 84 year old hiker that has been hiking since I was 11. Thank you so much for updating us on your present health condition and be sure to follow your cardiologist advice on not hiking until you have had a complete work up. I recently had 4 stints but I am back to hiking 3 days a week on a local mountain. You did do the right thing by pushing the button. God Bless You.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Being 67 year of age and enjoy getting into the back country, I appreciate knowing how your situation was resolved because all of us may need help at some point.
I bought a garmin earlier this year because of you. I always have it with me when I'm out in the woods, hiking or biking. So glad that you are still hear with us, and never second guess asking for help. It's first responders jobs to help and we love what we do.
$60K?!?! Dear lord... How do they expect any normal person to be able to cover that 😓 I'm so sorry, Dixie. You certainly didn't deserve any of this, but I'm glad you're ok.
Omg that bill for the helicopter would have sent me back into arrhythmias! I’m so glad you got out safely. Don’t listen to haters. You made the right decision.
Hey Dixie, I've helped a LOT of people with similar transport bills. They are always enormous, but few people realize they will negotiate the bill dramatically. If you can show BEFORE the insurance kicks in that itnwill ne paid, likely you could lose the other $10K. At least get it Chopped substantially and work the rest in payments. Also with the medical bills, ask for the amount they would pay for insurance companies which ironically is generally about half. NEVER sign anything until you are sure you have the best that you can get. You will almost always hear NO from the first few people that you talk to. You have to go up the chain and show you don't have resources. Good luck. Great to have you still with us. This old man has an Itty bitty crush on you and a lot of gratitude for helping inspire me to find my walk again. ❤
Mechanical valve with lifetime usage of blood thinners and 3rd pacemaker (Tachycardia and Bradycardia) and 2nd set of wires. Lifetime backpacker and plan on doing more. Never hesitate to call for help. You might only get one chance. If you do get a pacemaker installed, have them put it closer to the center of the chest away from where your backpack straps go. Once in, just keep living life. Like you said anything could happen at anytime. Trip on a wet log, break your femur and your femoral artery could be shredded. Good job of filming it all. Thank you for the video and hopefully some people will look at it and stay as calm as you were. Speedy recovery!
PLEASE please please share this with as many EMS/Fire/ER staff/etc... out there around the world. Seriously, this is a wonderful education tool. Grats on being an amazing human!!! Your mom did a fine job.
In all of your videos of all you’ve experienced, I’ve not heard as much terror in your voice as that day.
I’m so glad you’re OK.
I had to be rescued by the Coast Guard many years ago, and am still so grateful. But I had the same guilt feelings. Like your rescuers, they were terrific. My accident was written up in three publications. And the only scathing remarks came from the writer who didn’t interview me. So ignore the trolls, they’ve always been there, and the rest of us appreciate you. I have more confidence in my InReach mini after hearing your story.
As someone who is a hiker (AT thru 2019) and also someone who suffers from occasional bouts of afib I can speak to how scary it is and how helpless you feel if you have symptoms in the wilderness. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if you were having symptoms for the first time and didn't know what was happening and were a really long distance from the nearest trail head. Thanks for sharing, you are awesome! I will buy the insurance next time I head out on a multi day trip.
I cannot thank you enough for sharing these last two videos, Dixie, even though they broke my heart. Your gentle admonishment to the armchair quarterbacks is the least that they deserve! 😡
I am so grateful for your wise decision to call for help; your videos are like spending time with a precious, irreplaceable friend, so you would be terribly missed were something to happen to you.
Please try to ignore those naysayers; they have no idea what they are talking about. Sending prayers for ultimately a good report. 💗
One thing AIr Force survival school impressed on me is always carry an orange cloth panel, an emergency mylar blanket, and a signal mirror. All three can be used to signal a rescue crew your location. A PLB is terrific, but a method to signal is a good backup. When I go I take both my PLB and my Zoleo, as well as a mylar blanket and an orange bandana. The PLB will bring them to your location, but the Zoleo allows back and forth texting as well.
You did right Jessica. SAR isn't always out and about, and idiots who troll you for asking for rescue, are the ones who get recovered, not rescued.
When something doesn't feel right, get out. Your 'justification' is absolutely valid, and sound reasons. Younger me would have tried to trek on, now I've learned to trust what my body is telling me. If something is not right, it's time to get out - whether that be planning to hike out, or SOS you do what's best for you. If whatever was causing you to feel unwell turns out to go away the next day, fine - but you're safe; I'd hate to think what could have happened if it only got worse and you tried to carry on. I'm glad all turned out ok!
I’m late to the comments party…
Dixie, this and the earlier video about your medical issue and rescue are both excellent. Your honesty, vulnerability, and sharing with us are all incredibly wonderful and informative. True character shows up under pressure and the Dixie we know in all the easy times is the one who showed up under the stress of this situation. You are the real deal!
SAR loves it when someone sends an SOS right away. It keeps options open, especially if bad weather and/or darkness are coming, or a medical condition worsens without warning. It also dramatically increases the chances of a successful outcome. First responders and SAR love a successful rescue (live person), and are torn up by having to do a recovery (body). (Don’t ask me how I know this.)
You did the right thing. If anything, one might suggest that you have sent the SOS even sooner, but you still did it timely, which is great.
Now for the trolls with their head up their @$$ saying you weren’t in bad enough shape to call SOS:
1. Anytime the outcome of the activity is in doubt, it is time to call SOS. Your situation CLEARLY met that threshold.
Is everything fine?
- Yes? Good! No SOS.
- No? Outcome in doubt? Yes. Send SOS immediately.
2. Atrial Fibulation won’t kill anyone - directly. HOWEVER, a resultant blood clot will. That is the number one issue with afib. The nurses and doctors don’t mess around. Afib sets up a situation where there is an incredibly high risk (really, just a matter of time) of clots forming in the atrium. When a clot gets to your brain or lung… it ain’t pretty. Stroke or death.
Dixie did exactly the right thing calling SOS. Period.
--
A note about satellite communications. There are different networks with different coverage and different dispatchers. Know what you are getting as you evaluate devices.
Test your device if it has that capability. Test the actual network if it offers that capability.
With Garmin InReach, I scheduled a test with them (72 hours or more in advance), received approval, and at the appointed date and time I sent the SOS. I was under about 3/4 coverage tree canopy. It took a couple of minutes and I received the first message from them. A couple more minutes and we had completed exchanging a couple more messages.
Your times may vary. Be sure your InReach antenna is pointed straight up.
Then they called me (a planned part of the test protocol) and we had a short conversation and he asked if I had any questions.
I mentioned that I also had an ACR 400 mHz PLB. He said that was great because sometimes SAR has difficulty locating the person and will request the PLB also be activated.
The gentleman who called me was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable.
Happy Trails to you!
As an EMT and now a paramedic student. I am also someone who hikes. Thank you for pushing the button. If you had tried to walk out, things could get a lot worse really fast, possibly to you not being able to puch the button. You did the right thing.
I cannot emphasize enough how vital this video is for all outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you so much, and stay safe! And wow, those critical comments lacked thorough reflection. Heart issues are not to be taken lightly in an urban environment, let alone in the wilderness while carrying a heavy pack on uneven terrain. You definitely made the right choice.
It's not a major emergency, until it is. You did the right thing.
Nobody should be complaining. Thank you for sharing this great information.
Great video,
I'm a volunteer SAR team member in Australia and we are never sorry people push the SOS button when they need help. We prefer to bring people out alive rather than a body bag. In Australia we normally don"t charge for flights or help with recovery.
Also Aussie. I see a lot of judgemental comments on social media when people are rescued here (I'm in Qld) without ever stopping to consider how that impacts the next person who is considering pushing the button. I've always thought nothing less than a snakebite or catastrophic accident would make me push the button, and part of that is the public shaming that goes on. Friend of mine needed rescuing once after collapsing while trail running and the sanctimonious lecturing and pile on that happened on social media was appalling. Thanks for the work you do and the reassurance that it is ok to call for help!
Dixie, to hell with those trolls that found it necessary to make rude comments on your video. You did do the RIGHT thing by calling for help!! It’s better to be safe then wait to late to call. I always enjoy your videos so much. Thank you for doing what you do. Your in my prayers…
So glad you're okay Dixie! Thank you for documenting your experience as I believe it will help anyone who may be in your situation one day. ❤
Thank you so much for making this video! This summer I'm leaving on a 3 month road trip to camp and hike the lower 48 states. I just purchased a Garmin inReach mini 2 just in case and this is exactly what I needed to watch. I definitely overlooked the SAR insurance and will be adding! I'm sorry you had to go through this but you are helping so many others with your experience!!!
There’s nothing scarier then when your heart isn’t beating correctly. You feel weak, can’t move quite right, but you still aren’t sure if you need help. I went through all that too, and felt bad asking a friend to drive me to the hospital (instead of needing an airlift). The negative comments in your other video just have to be from people who have never experienced all that. Thanks for all this info and I hope your doctor can figure out the best way for you to manage whatever is causing your heart to misbehave.
ICU RN here. I hope that others can give a little as I have to help with your emergency expenses. I feel like all of the entertainment and knowledge you have shared with us over the last couple of years that I am thankful that I could send you a few dollars. I hope it helps.
Thank you so much ♥️♥️
I'm so sorry that you went through this. Thank you for your documentation of your experience. I hope you showed every current and future hiker just how important preparation before you go out there is. When we watch you hike, you look physically fit, very experienced, and prepared.and this showed that an emergency can happen to anyone, even someone with years of experience. The fact that you showed us all that you were going through really caught our attention. This is real, and it can happen to you also. Thank you, and I hope they find out what's going on with your health and get you back out on the trails.
Thank you for posting this experience with all of us as it is so instructive! You should never feel shame for asking for help, we all need it sooner or later. Wishing you a speedy return to good health, and I look forward to see more of your videos.
You know this is 21 century stuff. You can present content of actual events and be able to reflect and provide commentary is amazing. Looking forward to your adventures, reviews and thoughts. Prayers for your health and healing.
This is also reminding me of women's heart attack awareness. Women get weird heart symptoms and can go on for quite a while with heart damage and not know it. We need to be careful and go to the hospital! Don't wait until you're about to die to get medical attention, people! If you think the hospital is only for people who can't move on their own, that's why you're not a doctor lol
You're awesome for posting this! And the people saying it's your choice and somehow that means there should be no rescue make no sense. The search and rescue people choose that job because they want to help people who made the choice to enjoy nature, and people don't deserve to die of an injury or illness in the forest just because they like to be active. :P It's not like you're forcing random strangers on the internet to join the helicopter crew lol
Just want to say a huge thanks for producing this video, you have answered so many important questions. BTW You 100% did the right thing, always better to be brought out alive. Hoping all goes well with the tests. Cheers
Best video ever. I’ve been watching your videos for a few years and am so happy you are well and survived this. Your honesty and vulnerability are amazing. Sharing this is great. Thank you so much sharing everyone’s perspective.
Such good info! I'm 73 and carried my Inreach as a "security blanket" for years..so much better to have it and not need it than the other way around. So glad you're ok and thanks for sharing your story.
It's good you recorded the whole ordeal. While these things don't happen often, it's still important to learn from the unexpected and unanticipated.
Glad you came through all this in one piece. You probably educated a lot of people (including me) on a very unusual circumstance. As a helicopter pilot I would suggest carrying a small mirror as a signaling device. In daylight it can be seen over 10 miles.
Thanks for all your transparency. It was hard to watch you go through that but your honesty of what you were going through really helped me learn a lot. PLEASE IGNORE all the negativity & know you did the right thing & have helped a lot of people learn and prepare for emergency situations. Love ya & hang tough!