Apple has extended its free Emergency SOS service for iPhone users, and one driver is sharing his experience of how it saved his and his passenger’s lives. Ryo Lu, a driver from San Francisco, recalls an incident in January when he and a friend were driving in Banff and their rental Jeep turned over in a snow drift.

Lu credits Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite for their rescue. The service, initially available for two years, has been extended for an additional year for iPhone 14 owners. Lu urges others to be aware of this life-saving feature.

When Lu’s car flipped over, they were stuck in deep snow, without any cell connection. However, Lu remembered Emergency SOS via Satellite. He used his iPhone to point to the sky, and the feature gathered essential information for emergency responders. Lu describes the process as simple, with clear diagrams and the ability to answer questions and contact emergency services.

Though they had to wait for two hours in a passerby’s car before responders arrived, the initial call for help took less than ten minutes. Despite the car accident, Lu considers himself lucky as they narrowly avoided a cliff that could have been fatal.

Lu praises Emergency SOS via Satellite and emphasizes the importance of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances. He feels grateful to be alive and describes the existence of such technology as magical.

Apple introduced Emergency SOS via Satellite with the iPhone 14 in 2022. The feature is also available in the iPhone 15.