If it's a matter of life and death, such as offshore fishing, you probably want a real commercial service.

Like Garmin (Iridium based texts back and forth) or Zoleo. These are physical units that may offer texts or just a simple "sos" button.

Or a recent iPhone will communicate with Starlink, or T-Mobile offers a similar system for Android phones and is also based on Starlink. These can exchange texts which is much more reassuring than a simple sos button.

Of course offerings outside the US may be limited or entirely absent.

If it's a matter of life and death, such as offshore fishing, you probably want a real commercial service.

Like Garmin (Iridium based texts back and forth) or Zoleo. These are physical units that may offer texts or just a simple "sos" button.

Prohibitively expensive, and also not available to 90% of the planet's commercial fishermen.

For them, an iPhone can be an entire year's profit.

The people in TFA aren't going to be featured on The Deadliest Crab.

These are essential for remote solo hiking.