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Waterproof iPhone saves owner's life after boat capsizes at sea
Despite her iPhone being drenched in seawater, Neal could still use it to contact the nearest emergency response team after first trying to use another phone to no avail.
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Waterproof mobile phones can withstand not only coffee spills but also being submerged in seawater as well. (Shutterstock/File)
Waterproof mobile phones can withstand not only coffee spills but apparently also being submerged in seawater as well.
Twenty-eight-year-old California Federal Disaster Management Agency (FEMA) worker Rachel Neal and her friends chartered a boat off the coast of Okinawa while vacationing in Japan. However, the boat capsized in rough waters, leaving eight passengers clad in life vests floating in the middle of the sea.
Fortunately, Neal had with her an emergency "go bag", in which the group stored their smartphones. Despite her iPhone being drenched in seawater, Neal could still use it to contact the nearest emergency response team after first trying to use another phone to no avail.
The rescue team arrived 90 minutes later, transporting the eight victims on a helicopter.
Read also: A how-to guide to fixing a water-damaged phone
As reported by kompas.com, the specific model of Neal’s life-saving iPhone was not mentioned. Chances are it was a recent iPhone model with an IP67 waterproof rating.
Phones with an IP67 rating can withstand being submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on Neal’s experience on his Twitter account. He said he was glad that all the victims were safe. (iru/kes)
Remarkable story — we are glad you’re all safe. https://t.co/ppSVttHcAV
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) December 15, 2018
