Saved by an Iridium Satellite Phone

There are many stories out there about people getting out of 'sticky' situations by using their own satellite phone. Its these type of stories that show the real use and safety of owning a satellite phone.

South Pole adventurer relieved after close call:

A lot of people worry about whether they'll be able to get reception on their mobile phone. Ottawa adventurer Meagan McGrath was more worried about the issue than most last week, as she sat alone in the Antarctic at the bottom of the crevasse she'd fallen into.

McGrath, on leave from her Canadian Forces posting in Ottawa, has resumed her solo trek to the South Pole after a close call on just the second day of her planned 45-day trek.

Monday evening she spoke to the Citizen on the same Iridium satellite phone that she said probably saved her life.

"It was pretty scary in the crevasse," she said.

McGrath fell about six meters. Her sled was on the surface, but she was able to work her way toward her backpack. Then she managed to reach up with her ski pole and make a hole in the snow.

"I was able to collapse the snow from below and make a small hole in the surface of the snow from which to call through," she said. After eight hours in the cold crevasse, rescuers were able to get her out.

She said she learned from the fall, but there are still no guarantees.

"Oh yeah, I am worried it could happen again. I mean, this is not a ride at Disneyland," she said.

Source: The Ottawa Citizen