A Girl Scout suffered a concussion after falling into a canyon during a hike in the remote Los Padres National Forest, California, but was rescued within hours thanks to innovative satellite technology. The incident occurred on June 22, 2023, when members of a troop of seven teenage girls were exploring the rugged terrain of Pico Blanco, a mountain rising to **3,694 feet** (1,126 meters).
The hiker’s leaders used a direct-to-cell satellite service that enabled them to contact **911** despite the lack of terrestrial cell phone coverage in the area. Since late **2022**, owners of the latest iPhones have been able to send emergency texts through satellites orbiting the Earth, but a recent partnership between **T-Mobile** and **SpaceX’s** Starlink has expanded this capability to all cell phones less than four years old.
This crucial service automatically shares the caller’s location, making emergency responses more efficient. According to **John Snapp**, Vice President of Technology at **Intrado**, the Nebraska-based public safety communications provider, this technology is particularly beneficial in remote areas where cell service is unreliable.
“The rescue operation was significantly expedited by satellite technology,” Snapp noted. “In the past, rescuers would have to rely on someone hiking out to find a signal, which could take hours or longer.”
The Girl Scout troop had embarked on an adventurous overnight hike, but the situation turned serious when one girl fell and lost consciousness. Intrado’s Emergency Call Relay Center (ECRC) received the **911** text message from the leaders shortly after the accident.
Rapid Response Enabled by Satellite Technology
The rugged terrain of the Los Padres National Forest has long posed challenges for emergency communication. As **Jason Davis**, ECRC Manager at Intrado, explained, “When people are lost in remote areas with no knowledge of their location, pinpointing a **911** caller becomes extraordinarily challenging.”
In this case, the satellite technology allowed Intrado’s ECRC team to quickly identify the precise location of the injured Girl Scout. The rapid response meant that the first helicopter was dispatched within minutes, followed by a second helicopter to ensure the safety of the rest of the troop.
Historically, only about **80%** of the U.S. territory has reliable terrestrial cellular coverage, leaving vast areas like the scenic slopes of Los Padres National Forest off-grid. This recent advancement in satellite communication technology, however, has transformed emergency response possibilities in these challenging environments.
Future Implications of Satellite Communication
The satellite-enabled emergency messaging service is part of a broader initiative to integrate such technology into the U.S. nationwide next-generation **911** (NG911) system. This system allows people in distress to send text messages instead of making voice calls. Snapp emphasized the significance of this technology for outdoor enthusiasts and sailors in international waters, areas typically out of reach of cell networks.
“These services now work seamlessly on mobile devices,” Snapp said. “The satellite acts like a cell tower in space, providing coverage wherever people are.”
With **over 500** of its satellites supporting this direct-to-cell text messaging service, Starlink aims to connect remote areas globally. Other mobile operators, including **Vodafone** and **AT&T**, are also exploring partnerships to enhance satellite connectivity.
The successful rescue of the Girl Scout not only highlights the life-saving potential of satellite technology but also underscores the need for continued innovation in emergency communications, especially in remote and rugged terrains.