SPOT - Impressive Response

Until you test any particular subscribed service, you just don't know for sure what to expect. And, then it happens. You need help! Help as in the backcountry and off the grid when you inadvertently lock your keys in your truck. Or, thought you did. About every 6 years or so, I do something like this. And, have my whole life.

Steve and I had just finished rigging up our rods and were ready to go separate ways on the stream last week, when I asked him, "you want me to lock up the truck?" As soon as he said that's okay, I hit the lock button on the door and shut it...without thinking. Not a good move. I felt my pocket. Nothing there. We looked all around the truck on the ground and in the truck bed. No luck. So, I said let's go fishing since we're here. We were into fish from the beginning and it was nice being on the steam in trout heaven. But, I was concerned. And, rain clouds were building with some faint sounds of thunder.

With the storm getting closer, I walked back to the truck and decided to break into it. I tried to break the side window with a rock to gain access. That window would not break! I tried several rocks, but to no avail. So, I pushed the "Vehicle Emergency Button" on my SPOT Messenger device. After about 30 minutes, I bent down for another big rock and that's when my eyes locked onto something in a weeds. Oh my gosh. My Keys! Talk about feeling some joy. No more emergency, so I cancelled the emergency message on the SPOT Messenger. Yup, all was good and off I went to the stream for some more fishing before the storm arrived. Wait, there is more to this story....

As I was driving out of the national park, we saw a Sheriff's SUV approaching us. I've never seen a Sheriff in here? As he drove on by us, I wondered aloud to Steve, "he may be looking for me if my canceled message didn't go through with the SPOT?" The officer didn't stop as we met him, so I drove on, out of the park gate, and then stopped down the highway at the cowboy saloon in the village. I was needing a cold one.

While sitting in the saloon rehashing the day with Steve, I got a call from California. A very nice service agent asked if I was Michael Adair and that they received my Vehicle Emergency message. I replied I was okay and mentioned that I canceled that emergency message and asked if they received it. She said they had, but since they could not reach me by phone their policy is to send someone out to verify the sender is okay...even when they cancel the message for help. Yup, that explained the Sheriff driving into the back country. Once she confirmed I was okay, she wished me a great day and we said our good byes. Now that is what I call follow-up from a company.

I'm impressed, to say the least with SPOT Messenger!!! I now know they do not stop searching for you until they confirm you're okay or until you're rescued...and, I have full confidence if I was hurt and had to use their SOS function, they would be there for me!