Another save for the iphone:

A lost hiker in Maryland first calls for help and then signals to the rescue helicopter with the flashlight on his iphone. Two rescuers rappel down from the chopper to get him and his dog out.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/maryland...-rescued-010212

Interesting story, good ending. I wonder if his mapping problems came from a lack of clear GPS signal, and if he knew what to do to improve that. As no one goes anywhere without their phone these days, and smartphones become more popular, I hope more people learn how to use their features to self-help before calling for help.

Too bad he could not self rescue without requiring helicopter rappels, not the most inherently safe procedures around. Always carry good old paper maps as a backup! They also make good emergency fire starters, especially if waterproofed.

In a similar situation, hikers are better off carrying a paper map, a compass, the knowledge of how to use them, and a better flashlight than the one on the iPhone. Carrying a minimum of gear to stay warm and comfortable in an unplanned overnight would be a good idea as well.

My iPhone does exceptionally well at providing accurate GPS fixes. I wonder what went wrong in his case.

Sometimes phone GPS acts up. In one occasion when I was driving down the highway it showed consistently I was half mile east of it, like I was floating over residential area parallel to the highway.

Roger that!

rapelling = most dangerous maneuver in climbing

helicopter = highly dangerous air vehicle

(rapelling + helicopter) = lots of risk!

Helicpoter operations at night are even more risky, even with night vision gear for the pilot. I'm a bit surprised that the authorities would opt for that procedure, rather than sending in a ground team? Or, assuming no one was injured and conditions weren't severe, why not drop them a sleeping bag and tent from the helo, and have them sit tight until morning?

I've only been hiking once in Maryland, a short hike while visiting a friend years ago, so I certainly don't know anything about the area. But my general impression was that there aren't many places that would be too far from a road or trail. Perhaps one of our members fron that area will fill us in with more details.

I am with you on this one. It seems to me that choppers are used more and more frequently these days, which is often a good thing when appropriate, but often a ground team is just as appropriate and a lot cheaper and generally less risky.

The only SAR related funerals I attended were for two helicopter pilots whose bird crashed as they were returning from their final mission of the day, jsut after dropping off some of our volunteers.

On one occasion, we were working on the ground as a helicopter came into position above us to hoist a litter with an injured victim. One of my companions required, "Are those blades set on puree or blend?" - gallows humor

Agreed. DS and DD both had their cell phone GPS fail at the same time during a family trip outside of Ottawa last year. They were on 2 different major carriers, which added to the mystery. Thankfully we weren't in a situation where it really mattered. That incident reafg8rmed my faith in carrying a paper map and compass.

Smart phones and tablets have nice flashlight features but I'd never want to rely on them, for the same reason I don't rely on those devices to get me out of trouble. (I do use them as preventative tools though. Checking the weather and road reports before trips, for example.)