onX,an outdoor navigation platform for backcountry adventurers, announced the launch of onX SOS, a new in-app emergency assistance service powered by Overwatch x Rescue (OxR). onX SOS expands onX’s navigation and mapping capabilities to include safety services within the navigation app millions of adventurers already use.
For adventurers looking for an alternative to dedicated satellite hardware, satellite connectivity plans or separate rescue memberships, onX SOS combines emergency assistance and financial protection in one subscription for $49.99/year, delivering comprehensive rescue coverage for a value price. onX SOS connects users directly to a 24/7 professional emergency response team that coordinates the rescue and covers the rescue and evacuation costs directly, with no separate hardware to buy, no claims process to file, and no out-of-pocket expenses.
onX’s in-app SOS button is backed by the response from OxR, a service of FocusPoint International. With more than 15 years of emergency response experience, OxR has coordinated at least 15,000 rescues across more than 220 countries and territories, saving adventurers more than $10 million in rescue and medical costs.
“We designed onX SOS around a simple insight: nearly all of our customers consider safety to be a critical part of their outdoor experience,” said Preethi Ramani, onX Chief Product Officer. “So we built access to emergency assistance right into the app. Whether you’re finding a new perch to glass from, peak to summit, or trail to ride, onX SOS goes wherever you do. And if something goes wrong, even miles away from another human or cell service, a professional emergency coordination team is just a few taps away.”
According to the Government Accountability Office, the average U.S. air ambulance transport costs approximately $36,400, an expense most private health plans do not cover. onX SOS covers these costs directly, with no claims to file and no out-of-pocket expenses.
When activated, onX SOS generates a pre-populated SMS with the user’s GPS coordinates and account information, which is delivered to OxR’s 24/7 Crisis Response Centers via cellular or satellite connectivity. From there, a trained coordinator—OxR’s centers are staffed by former military, law enforcement and first responders—initiates two-way communication with users, coordinates the rescue and stays engaged with the person in distress until they reach safety.
“At Overwatch x Rescue, we believe going further outdoors should never mean facing the risks alone,” said Greg Pearson, CEO of FocusPoint International. “By powering onX SOS, our team brings decades of rescue coordination experience to the adventurers who rely on onX every day, so they can explore with confidence, knowing that an expert team is ready to respond if the need arises.”
onX SOS is currently available for onX Offroad and onX Hunt users on iOS and Android at all membership tiers and will be available in onX Backcountry later this summer. The subscription is tied to a user’s onX account, allowing access to the SOS button across all three apps with a single subscription. The feature is available on mobile devices with cellular and satellite SMS messaging capabilities.
