Absolutely correct my friend.

Cell Phone is preferable to licensed emergency radio use. I was considering the situation described above wherein a cellphone did not work due to presumably being in a mountainous area. (which might also limit EMS communications as well.

The problem with sat phone is the outrageous cost, which is not an option for most people.

The only reason I shied away from InReach, is the question of response time.. I am not familiar enough with it, or those who have used it to be able to offer much input on it.

The scenario reminded me of Bruce Willis in Die Hard, where he is using a police radio (talk about taking liberties with reality! and on a terrorist radio to boot!) and the female dispatcher is telling him it is a police frequency. . .

His response. . . "$%^&*+{: Arrest ME!" Too funny.