Survivor stories

Luck favors the prepared.
Find out how ACR enables life-saving rescues across the world.

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Water-sports

Lost at Sea: How a Locator Beacon Reunited a Family After a Kayak Mishap

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Felix

Panic set in as I paddled frantically to find him. I searched in widening circles but couldn't spot him behind the big waves. Horrible thoughts raced through my mind—why did we go out in these conditions? The weather had turned bad. Had a shark attacked him, or had he hit his head and drowned?

Snow sports

From Adventure to Emergency: How a PLB Helped Save My Friend’s Life in the Wilderness

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Jordan

Unfortunately, things took a turn when my friend hit a hidden stump, launching him into the air. The impact resulted in a broken femur and a dislocated shoulder. He was in excruciating pain, and with only a few hours of daylight left, I knew we wouldn’t be able to get him out on our own.

Fishing

Near-Fatal Boating Accident in Marathon: A Father's Life Saved by Sons' Swift Actions

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Jason

Two of my sons immediately recognized how serious the injury was and fashioned a tourniquet from a dock line, placing it on my upper left thigh to prevent blood loss. My other son activated the GlobalFix V6 EPIRB and used the UHF radio to call for assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Hiking

Storm Approaches as Stranded Hikers Activate Emergency Beacon in New Zealand’s Tararua Forest Park

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Patrick

However, near the bottom of the spur, my knee gave way again, this time with intense pain, making it difficult to move. Fortunately, we had already navigated the steepest section and were close to the hut. With my friend taking on a lot of my pack weight, we managed to reach the hut before nightfall.

Hiking

Dramatic Rescue on Kenelty Mountain: Father's Near-Fatal Fall Saved by Son's Quick Action

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Doug

The trail was steep and slippery, and we soon had to stop to catch our breath. I sat on a convenient trailside rock, and I don't remember much of what happened after that. Apparently, I fainted and went rag-dolling down the steep mountain slope.

Water-sports

Caught in High Surf: Surfer's Terrifying Near-Drowning Experience in Oahu

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Vadym

However, all that experience did not help me this time. The short wave period kept creating more and more white water, reducing my buoyancy and ability to swim. The realization of helplessness while sinking in the low-density water, saturated with air bubbles, made me scared. Being so close to losing my life due to drowning triggered my brain to involuntarily play scenes of my family and friends facing the reality of my death. I was really scared.

Fishing

A Girlfriend's gift, a Viral video, and 5 lives saved: How a last-minute PLB played a critical role off the coast of Mississippi

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Easton

As the boat sank, Connor quickly activated the beacon. “I saw it react and then went into the water,” said Connor, noting the reassuring green light indicating a satellite fix.

Hiking

Backcountry Campers Assist in Dramatic Late-Night Rescue in Banff

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Ben

The two guys were wet, still in shorts, and did not have any food or shelter since they left everything back with their group to get help. Knowing that S&R would likely not fly out until morning light, we gave the guys some food, started a fire, gave them whatever layers we could, and let them sleep in our tent for the night. It was tight with four people and a dog in a three-person tent, but we made it work.

Climbing

Emergency Beacons and Team Spirit: The Heroic Rescue of Injured Canyoneers in Horse Tank Wash

Posted on June 28, 2024 by JJ

As soon as the anchor was weighted and both people were approximately 5 ft below the sloped lip and already over the edge, the anchor gave out. Person A and Person B dropped approximately 15 ft to the ground below. Person A sustained a compound tibia fracture with approximately a 3-in gash, actively bleeding but not arterial. Person B was crumpled on the floor four feet away with chest and left-hand pains. Person A immediately started yelling to activate the InReach SOS due to his leg fracture. The team joined the two injured parties to assess and help with injuries.
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