Press Release –
Stranded in Northern Quebec, Outdoorsman Rescued After Sending Location Coordinates and Distress Message From His SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger — Injured, without supplies and more than a two week walk to the nearest village, Rejean Able was located and airlifted to safety
Globalstar Canada Satellite Co. reported today that on July 25, 2008 experienced outdoorsman Rejean Able, who was on a six week wilderness trek in Nunavik, located in the remote Ungava Peninsula of Northern Quebec, was rescued using his SPOT Satellite Messenger after a canoe accident left him stranded without supplies.
As he was approaching a series of rapids, Mr. Able lost control of his canoe and capsized. Submerged with his feet caught under the seat of the canoe, he was able to free himself and swim to the embankment, but in the process lost his canoe and all off his supplies. He also lost his rifle which he had taken for protection against wolf packs known to be in the area.
Mr. Able had his SPOT Satellite Messenger in his pocket which he was able to use to send a 9-1-1 emergency distress message with his GPS location.
His GPS coordinates were immediately dispatched to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center who alerted the nearest Inuit Village to Mr. Able, along with his need for rescue.
A surveying helicopter in the area was able to assist local authorities and airlift Mr. Able to safety.
“SPOT literally saved my life,” said Rejean Able. “Without it I would be dead.” Upon rescue, Mr. Able learned that the location of his accident was at least a 15 day walk in to the nearest village.
After returning to his home in the Mont Tremblant region of Quebec, Mr. Able is recovering from his injuries and the trauma associated with the accident but is thankful to be alive.
“I am telling all of my friends who like to venture in the wilderness to make sure they take a SPOT Satellite Messenger with them. It is inexpensive and can save their life”.
Combining reliable commercial satellite and GPS location technologies, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is a lifesaving and affordable personal safety device, designed to provide users with a vital line of communication to friends, family, co-workers and emergency services, independently of cellular coverage.
The world’s first GPS-enabled personal satellite tracker, SPOT has won numerous industry innovation awards and assisted in the rescue of over 80 individuals around the world since being introduced just one year ago.
About SPOT Satellite Messenger
The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world’s first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer’s location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT provides lifesaving communications technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how SPOT is helping users live to tell about it – from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes – visit www.findmespot.com .
