Pre-Trip SOS Checklist for inReach & Handheld GPS
- Send a test message: Use your inReach or satellite-enabled handheld gps to send a test to a trusted contact; confirm it arrives and they recognize the sender.
- Update emergency contacts: Add cell/email for primary and backup contacts, plus any local emergency contact that should receive SOS or check-in messages.
- Preset messages & instructions: Customize preset check-in messages and tell your contacts what each one means (safe at camp, delayed but OK, need pickup, etc.).
- Verify subscription & coverage: Make sure your inReach plan is active, auto-renew is set, and that the region you’re visiting is covered by your satellite network.
- Weather pulls: Practice requesting a forecast on your device so you know the button/menu flow before you’re in bad weather.
- Waypoint key spots: Mark trailheads, camps, water sources, bailout routes, and evacuation points in your gps handheld maps.
- Share your trip plan: Email or text your route map, GPX file, and expected check-in schedule to at least one trusted contact at home.
Power and Antenna Tips for Handheld GPS SOS Devices
- Give the antenna a clear view: Keep the antenna clear of your body and gear; use a pack strap, shoulder mount, or top of shoulder strap so your gps handheld device can see the sky.
- Carry backup power: Bring a small power bank and cable; enable Expedition or power-save mode when you only need breadcrumb tracking and occasional check-ins.
- Optimize tracking interval: Set tracking to 10–30 minutes for most trips; drop to 1–2 minutes in critical sections like ridgelines, canyons, or complex route-finding.
- Protect the battery from cold: Keep your handheld gps inside a jacket or insulated pocket during cold weather to slow battery drain and keep the screen responsive.
- Nightly power routine: At camp, top off your inReach or satellite GPS from your power bank and review the next day’s route while it charges.
Best Practices During an SOS or Emergency
- Stay put if safe: Once an SOS is sent from your gps handheld, move only if staying put is unsafe; rescuers use your last known coordinates.
- Reply to messages: Answer incoming questions from the emergency response center with clear, short replies (injury type, group size, shelter, nearby landmarks).
- Preserve battery: Dim the screen, shorten timeouts, and avoid unnecessary tracking changes while you wait for help.
See the full list of handheld gps units with inReach satellite SOS, strong battery life, and reliable antennas in our best handheld gps guide before your next backcountry trip.