Survivor stories

Luck favors the prepared.
Find out how ACR enables life-saving rescues across the world.

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Hiking

Backcountry Campers Assist in Dramatic Late-Night Rescue in Banff

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Ben

The two guys were wet, still in shorts, and did not have any food or shelter since they left everything back with their group to get help. Knowing that S&R would likely not fly out until morning light, we gave the guys some food, started a fire, gave them whatever layers we could, and let them sleep in our tent for the night. It was tight with four people and a dog in a three-person tent, but we made it work.

Climbing

Emergency Beacons and Team Spirit: The Heroic Rescue of Injured Canyoneers in Horse Tank Wash

Posted on June 28, 2024 by JJ

As soon as the anchor was weighted and both people were approximately 5 ft below the sloped lip and already over the edge, the anchor gave out. Person A and Person B dropped approximately 15 ft to the ground below. Person A sustained a compound tibia fracture with approximately a 3-in gash, actively bleeding but not arterial. Person B was crumpled on the floor four feet away with chest and left-hand pains. Person A immediately started yelling to activate the InReach SOS due to his leg fracture. The team joined the two injured parties to assess and help with injuries.

Off-road

Rescue Helicopter Reaches Injured Rider in 45 Minutes Thanks to Personal Locator Beacon

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Blair

As Blair rounded a blind corner, he suddenly encountered a car coming from the opposite direction. Unable to avoid a collision, his motorcycle struck the car head-on, causing him to smash into the windshield and roll over the vehicle.

Boating

Caught in the Eye: Key West Native’s Epic Survival at Sea

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Daniel Levesque

At one point, after taking multiple 4-foot breaking waves over the bow, center, and stern, we hit a wave that lifted the entire boat out of the water, leaving us airborne for what felt like an eternity, though it was probably only 3-4 seconds. For the first time in my offshore career, we were completely at the mercy of the sea, immobile and helpless.

Hiking

Rain and Wind Test Hikers on Stewart Island, Helicopter Rescue Ensues

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Sariska

As we started to move faster along the beach, using a hiking pole each for stability, my brother saw me disappear over a line of boulders on the beach. About two minutes later, he found me lying face down in the rocks. I recall waking up with my head jammed between two boulders, bleeding from the scalp and temple, with a hole in my trousers.

Fishing

Heroic Effort: Japan Coast Guard Rescues Fishermen from Burning Ship

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Yonabaru-Nishihara fisherman's cooperative association,

Despite the captain and crew's efforts to extinguish the fire, the flames and smoke intensified, making it impossible to stay in the engine room. The captain decided to abandon ship and move into the life raft, activating two units of our ResQLink 400 PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons).

Hiking

Surviving South Canyon: A Fractured Wrist, a Beacon, and a Lifesaving Helicopter Rescue

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Diane

Despite being highly experienced off-trail hikers, this was one of the toughest hikes we've ever done. The initial part of the "trail," which we had to follow back to the rim the day after the incident occurred, was extremely challenging. On the way in, it took us 2 hours to descend maybe 1 mile of trail with a 1000-foot vertical drop. It included numerous Class 4 climbing moves, where any slip could have been fatal

Hiking

Family's Relief as Beacon Signals Safe Return of Lost Hikers

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Marcus

The day started beautifully, with clear skies and no indication of inclement weather until around 4:00 p.m. By 5:30 p.m., we hadn't heard from the boys, so we decided to head to the park where they were hiking to see if we could find them. When we arrived at the trailhead around 6:00 p.m., we were greeted by steady rain and darkening skies. Just then, I received a phone call from provincial SAR—they had activated the beacon.

Off-road

Beacon Call Saves Life: Dramatic Rescue on a Quiet Day in the Saddle

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Dyan

I’ve had a few falls over the years off horses, so I knew to expect the initial pain and shock of hitting the ground, then usually you just lie for a minute or two after being winded and get back on your horse. The pain didn’t go away, only intensified, and it was agony to breathe.
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