After moving to Black Mountain, North Carolina, I purchased a ResQLink400 beacon for safety. Little did I know, I would rely on it for an emergency right at home during Hurricane Helene. A devastating mudslide blocked access to my property and trapped several people, including an injured individual and one who was unreachable.

After receiving an evacuation notice and assessing the impossible conditions, I made the decision to stay. Soon, I discovered the two people were trapped—one seriously injured and the other out of reach. With no phone service and no clear way to assess the full extent of the damage, I activated my ResQLink400 beacon to request a rescue.

While the beacon sent out a satellite signal, I worked to assist the trapped individuals as best I could. The most surreal moment occurred when we were driving Sam, the injured person, down the mountain. As we passed the landing zone (LZ), I noticed a Coast Guard Blackhawk hovering just across the highway. It was a perfect coincidence—about 10 minutes after I had secured Sam’s neck and made my way back to the pasture, the helicopter arrived for the evacuation. I later learned the Blackhawk had been stationed in Marion, 15 miles away, and flew in just in time to make the rescue.

This experience underscored the life-saving importance of having reliable emergency communication, particularly in remote or dangerous conditions. My ResQLink400 beacon proved invaluable, playing a crucial role in facilitating the rescue. I’ll forever be grateful for its timely assistance and the incredible response of the rescue teams.