At 10:46 a.m. on Friday, July 31, Teton County Search & Rescue received a satellite SOS activation originating from the Box Creek trail northwest of Turpin Meadows in the Teton Wilderness. The message did not include any details, leading TCSAR to investigate whether it was a false activation, possible bear encounter, or other emergency.

If you are in need of or expecting helicopter assistance, please help our team by making yourself visible. Photo: Teton County Search & Rescue during a training exercise.

After communicating with Garmin, through which the SOS message was transmitted, the team was able to get in touch directly with the reporting party. In the process, TCSAR discovered that a 23-year-old male was in distress due to a medical issue. He had been backpacking with a group of friends when the emergency occurred.

In response, TCSAR dispatched a short-haul helicopter team to the scene, with a ground team in vehicles as backup. While flying over the location, the helicopter team needed several flight overs before eventually spotting the reporting party beneath some trees. The ship landed and volunteers met the patient before helping him into the ship for a flight back to TCSAR headquarters. The team then transferred the patient to a waiting ambulance from Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.

This incident brings to light a few friendly reminders that can help our team:

If you are in need of help and are expecting a helicopter, please make yourself visible. Wear bright colors and wave your arms when you see the ship approaching (but do not approach the ship as it is landing). Do not ever wave at a helicopter if you don’t need help. Lastly, all rescue services provided by TCSAR are free of charge.

Our team was happy to be able to assist this individual.