One of the key features of the GO exec is its SOS button. When configured, pressing the red SOS button on the device, through the touchscreen, or in the GO exec App activates Emergency Mode on the device. This calls the designated Emergency Call Recipient.
Important Note: SOS using the GO exec will not work without configuration.
The SOS button on the GO exec has no default configuration. You must set this up before you head offshore. If it is not set up correctly and you have an emergency, when you press the SOS button, nothing will happen, and no one will be notified.
Set up is easy. Please allow 15 minutes to read this article thoroughly and complete the SOS setup on your device.
How to find the SOS button and initiate an SOS
The GO exec offers three ways to initiate an SOS:
Press the physical, red-coloured SOS button on the device.
Tap the SOS menu on the device's touchscreen, then long-press the SOS button.
Tap and hold the SOS button in the GO exec App on your mobile device when it is connected to the GO exec Wi-Fi directly.
Note: The operation of the SOS button feature is limited by any conditions affecting the Iridium. Using the SOS feature will impact calls in progress.
IERCC Safety Services
Iridium has contracted with IERCC Travel Safety Group to support the SOS feature to provide an emergency response coordination service for your GO exec at no additional charge. These SOS services are offered and provided exclusively by IERCC and not by Iridium, a separate, unrelated company.
Standard airtime charges will apply to SOS calls to the IERCC; a valid Iridium SIM subscription and online registration at https://ierccregister.inreachapp.com/ are required. Please click here to review the privacy policy and terms of use before using this service, as these are the terms that will govern your relationship with IERCC.
Set up the SOS function with IERCC on the GO exec
Each time you power up the GO exec until it is configured, you will be prompted to set up the SOS function. Please do this using the GO exec App whilst at home or where you have access to high-speed internet and a computer or smart device.
The SOS function can be set up to use the IERCC Safety Service or call a designated contact. PredictWind strongly recommends you register and use the IERCC Safety Service, owned by Garmin. It is staffed 24/7 with dedicated and trained operators who can coordinate with emergency responders in more than 200 countries and territories.
To decline the IERCC service and configure a designated personal emergency contact instead, please refer to page 34 of the GO exec manual.
To use the IERCC SOS service on the GO exec
Register your device with IERCC from a web browser on your computer or smart device.
Note: To register for the SOS service, you will need:
Your Iridium line 1 phone number
Your GO exec IMEI number
Both found using the GO exec App when connected to the GO exec Wi-Fi
To find these:
Tap the Settings wheel
Under the Basic heading, tap Device Settings.
Under Admin Settings, tap Admin Settings.
Swipe down and tap Device Info.
When entering your details on the registration page, it will ask for your personal details and emergency contacts.
Upon completing registration, IERCC will provide a 5-digit authorization code. To add this to your device through the App:
Tap the Settings wheel.
Under the Basic heading, tap Device Settings.
Under the Admin Settings heading, tap Admin Settings.
Swipe down, and under the SOS heading, tap SOS Settings.
Enter authorization code then on iOS tap Save, or, on Android tap the checkmark in the top right corner:
Tap Save again on the Admin->SOS Settings page or, on Android, tap the blue checkmark.
Power off your GO exec, wait 10 seconds, then power it on again. If you are not prompted to enter the SOS code again, your SOS settings have been saved to the device, and the SOS button action will be set to Call for the IERCC service.
Important Notes - SOS configuration on the GO exec
If the code has been entered incorrectly, an error will appear, preventing you from saving it. Your IERCC code is unique to your device and IERCC registration. You cannot enter and save a code from another device.
If you reopen the page to set the IERCC code, it will always be blank. It is not possible view the IERCC code you have set on the device.
The only way to know it has been set correctly is to power off your GO exec for 10 seconds and power it on again. If you do not see the warning to configure SOS then the IERCC code has been saved.
Testing the IERCC SOS safety service for use with the GO exec
PredictWind strongly recommends testing the SOS setting on your Go exec. IERCC asks that all tests be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance unless the Operations Team approves an earlier test time.
Please visit the IERCC test information page to submit an online submission form for scheduling a test.
When the form is submitted, IERCC will confirm the test via email.
For further IERCC Support, please contact IERCC directly.
Notes about using SOS with the GO exec
To activate an SOS on the GO exec from the:
GO exec Touchscreen
Tap the SOS icon on the GO exec touchscreen to display the SOS trigger screen.
Long-press and hold the SOS button for at least 3 seconds. The exec will play the pending countdown timer and show a 10-second countdown on the touchscreen.
During the countdown period, the SOS event may be cancelled by pressing the blue Cancel button without alerting the designated Emergency Service Provider. If the call is unsuccessful, the user will get an option to redial or cancel.
Use the device microphone and speaker to converse with the emergency contact when connected.
Physical red-coloured SOS button on the GO exec
Press and hold the physical SOS button for at least one second.
The Device will play the pending countdown timer and show the countdown on the touchscreen.
Important Note - Triggering an SOS on the GO exec will wake it up.
The GO exec can be on or off when triggering an SOS event via the physical SOS button. If the GO exec is off, it will power up and continue to start the SOS event. When the countdown timer expires, the SOS will enter the active phase and dial the designated Emergency Service Provider.
Activating SOS using the GO exec App
Make sure the GO exec App is connected to the GO exec Wi-Fi.
Tap SOS in the GO exec App menu bar.
Long press the red SOS button in the app for 5 seconds until the countdown timer starts.
Aborting an SOS on the GO exec before it is activated
To abort an SOS event without contacting your designated Emergency Service Provider, tap the blue Cancel button on the touchscreen or in the GO exec App before the countdown timer expires. An SOS activated using the touchscreen or physical red button can only be deactivated on the device; it cannot be deactivated using the app.
SOS Active
When an SOS event is activated, the GO exec App will automatically initiate an outbound call to your designated Emergency Service Provider and show the current Latitude and Longitude. The Emergency Service Provider operator will assist you with your emergency. When they ask for your location, please tell them the Latitude and Longitude numbers on the touchscreen if available or from your Chart Plotter.
You can only end the current call to the Emergency Service Provider from this screen.
Important Note - The SOS event on the GO exec remains active until Cancelled
The SOS event remains active even after the call to the Emergency Service Provider is concluded or if it is disconnected. You must explicitly press the Cancel SOS button to close an active SOS event.
If you are in the United States or Australia, you can also dial 911 or 000 emergency number, respectively, whether you have a valid SIM card or not.
Phone calls on the GO exec while SOS is active
To ensure the SOS call reaches the emergency contact, triggering an SOS voice call terminates all non-SOS voice calls in progress on line 1 and/or line 2 to allow the SOS call to get through. The SOS call uses line 1.
The user cannot initiate a new emergency call while an SOS call is in progress.
To ensure user safety, initiating an emergency call such as calling 911 or 000 shall terminate all non-emergency voice calls in progress on line 1 and/or line 2 to allow the emergency call to go through. The emergency call shall use line 1 or line 2.
Cancelling an SOS on the GO exec if assistance is now not required
SOS events can be cancelled from either the GO exec touchscreen or the GO exec App. The GO exec can only cancel an SOS triggered in the GO exec App.
To cancel the SOS event, from the:
Touchscreen of the GO exec
The GO exec user must explicitly cancel the SOS via the Cancel button on the SOS active screen, as shown below.
Physical SOS button on the GO exec
Press and hold for at least one second. The GO exec will display the SOS active screen as above. The SOS can be cancelled by pressing the Cancel button.
Cancelling an SOS via the GO exec App
Press Cancel SOS.
A message will appear "Are you sure you want to cancel SOS?", press Yes.
There are two ways the GO exec App signifies an active SOS event:
The Title bar will be displayed in red, normally it is white text on a black background.
The SOS tab in the bottom tab bar will have a red dot next to it.
Important Note: The GO exec Complete Package and Antenna Kit from PredictWind include an Iridium satellite antenna only; these do not include an external GPS antenna.
When SOS is activated, to ensure the SOS function reports a GPS latitude and longitude, if available, from the internal GPS antenna, it is critical the GNSS antenna setting is set to Internal. By default, the GO exec GNSS antenna settings is set to Auto. How to configure this is explained in Step 10: Configure the GO exec to use an external antenna.
Move on to Step 7
You are now ready to move on to Step 7: Optimize your GO exec and prevent bill shock/data overages.
Important Note: If you deactivate your GO exec SIM, its phone numbers will be lost.
When you reactivate your GO exec SIM you will get new phone numbers, so you must let IERCC know your phone numbers have changed after a reactivation.
Contact IERCC for more information: plan-support@garmin.com