Callout to Carrifran for injured walker via Satellite SOS

At 16:40 on Sunday 23rd June Police Scotland asked for Moffat Mountain Rescue Team to assist in the rescue of an injured walker in the Carrifran Valley in Moffat.

In a first for Moffat MRT, due to the lack of phone signal in the valley the walker used the Emergency SOS function via Satellite service built into their iPhone (iPhone 14 or more recent) to contact Search and Rescue services who were then able to direct the call to the appropriate team.

Some of our team members had not long left the base after a day training and others were close by allowing Moffat MRT to mount a quick response to the casualty.

Two members of the team were on scene quickly and were able to locate the casualty and their party before carrying out an assessment of their injuries.

The rest of the team assembled at the foot of the valley and gathered the equipment necessary to carry out a stretcher rescue.

Fortunately after some pain relief provided by the initial party, they made the decision to assist the casualty with an injured ankle to walk off the hill and meet the rest of the team at the vehicles. Here a further assessment was carried out by a team doctor and the casualty was advised to attend hospital for X-rays.

We wish them the best in their recovery.

In a remote or mountain emergency (medical or other), dial 999 and ask for the Police, then ask for ‘Mountain Rescue’ to get assistance. Where there is no mobile phone signal, Personal Locator Beacons, In-reach and some newer mobile phones can send text messages via satellite (subscriptions may apply). Mountain Rescue does not advise any particular brand. It is worth being aware of phone reception issues for any planned outdoor trip, and plan accordingly.

See https://www.moffatmrt.org.uk/heading-into-the-hills/#emergency for further information