Hikers, backpackers make up majority of satellite SOS calls, says US company

According to Garmin, 39% of the 10,000 calls from the past 11 years came from hikers or backpackers. The next largest category was driving at 12%, followed by motorcycling, climbing/mountaineering and boating. — Unsplash

The majority of 10,000 SOS calls came from hikers and backpackers, according to data released by Garmin, which sells the popular inReach satellite communication devices.

In fact 39% of the 10,000 calls from the past 11 years came from hikers or backpackers. The next largest category was driving at 12%, followed by motorcycling, climbing/mountaineering and boating.