According to a report from The New York Times, survivors of the catastrophic avalanche near Lake Tahoe this week used Emergency SOS. It’s the latest example of the life-saving impact of Apple’s Emergency SOS and satellite features on iPhone and Apple Watch. Don O’Keefe, Chief of Law Enforcement for the California Office of Emergency Services, says that the six survivors of the avalanche used Emergency SOS. “One of my personnel was communicating with one of the guides over a four-hour period, giving information back to the Nevada sheriff’s office and coordinating what rescues could be permitted,” O’Keefe told the press on Wednesday. The skiers were part of a 15-person group on a multi-day trip through the Sierra Nevada mountains. While six survived, eight were killed. One person is still missing and presumed dead, according to CNN. The user is then presented with a questionnaire that gathers information about their emergency. Their iPhone will guide them through process of where to point their iPhone or Apple Watch to connect to a satellite. The feature is free for two years after activation of an iPhone 14 or later or Apple Watch Ultra 3. Satellite connectivity on iPhone and Apple Watch can also be used to send iMessages and SMS messages, as well as to share location. We’ve seen countless examples of the Emergency SOS. Apple has a detailed support document on how to use satellite connectivity features on iPhone and Apple Watch. I recommend My favorite iPhone accessories:.