An Escondido woman's day of solo rappelling at Mt. Baldy's San Antonio Falls took a harrowing turn last Wednesday when she became trapped and injured during her descent – but her quick thinking and the technology at her fingertips may have saved her life. Utilizing a text-to-911 service, the 49-year-old hiker, who has not been named, was able to notify emergency services despite her precarious situation and a broken leg; this service proves invaluable for situations where a voice call is not feasible or safe.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Aviation and West Valley Search and Rescue teams were swiftly mobilized to the scene after receiving the text message at approximately 4:56 p.m., according to official press releases. A helicopter team located the victim and executed a hoist rescue operation transferring her to the safety of San Antonio Dam, where an ambulance was waiting the hiker was transported to a local hospital, reinforcing the critical role that our search and rescue units play in local emergency responses and nature accidents.

The text-to-911 technology is an integral part of modern emergency services, offering a silent lifeline to those in need; local authorities continue to stress the importance of this tool, especially for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in situations where making a voice call could place them in further danger. 

The successful rescue operation was handled without any injuries to the emergency personnel involved; the victim's resourcefulness in using text-to-911 is a poignant reminder of the need to be prepared for the unexpected when embarking on wilderness adventures. Further information on the incident can be found by referring to Deputy Chris Henry at the Fontana Station with case number 032401692, as noted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's Department.