Another Canadian hiker was mauled by a bear over the weekend, prompting officials to highlight the importance of carrying a in the event of an emergency in the backcountry. The attack on the 45-year-old man occurred in a remote area of Crowsnest Pass, southwest Alberta on Friday morning, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A news release says the man was hiking near Window Mountain Lake when the bear attacked him, but did not disclose whether the bear was a grizzly or black bear.
The incident took place just two weeks after another man was . Emergency services received the SOS activation at 11:19 a.m.
from a Garmin device, prompting officials to dispatch to the area where they discovered the hiker with "extensive" injuries. The hiker was airlifted to a hospital in Calgary where he is being treated. "No matter what your experience level is, while exploring the wilderness, SOS devices are an essential tool for anyone who may find themselves in an emergency situation," writes the RCMP.
"It is the most reliable way to call for help after sustaining an injury in an isolated area." The is a tiny device that's a potential lifesaver when you're camping and hiking in remote locations. It connects to your phone via the Garmin Messenger app (available for both iOS and Android), and lets you send and receive text messages via satellite, letting you stay in touch even when there's no cellular connectivity.
You can also use the device to send an interactive SOS to Garmin's cont.