Using your InReach for two-way messaging

Device Types Overview

The following InReach devices have supported messaging capability through the SafetyAware platform. Due to the age of certain devices, behavior and messaging capabilities will vary between models.

Gen 1 Devices – InReach SE+ & InReach Explorer+

These devices contain two different configuration types within SafetyAware; Forms configuration or preset messages configuration. To determine what type of configuration your InReach Gen 1 device is using (Preset Messages or Forms), the top icon on your InReach main screen will display either option.

Forms configuration:

When powering on the device you will see a “Forms” icon as the upper most icon. When selecting forms you will see a list of SafetyAware functions that will automatically send to the platform in order to set and update your corresponding status. 

Functions:

• Sign-on (with varying options to select a Shift time value up to 12 hours)

• Sign-off - will disengage your working alone session within SafetyAware

• Hazard (with varying timer settings)

• Assist

For reference: the InReach forms message codes are listed below with their corresponding action within the SafetyAware solution.

This configuration utilizes preset messages to set and update your status within the SafetyAware platform. Not all standard alert types / features within SafetyAware are supported.

Functions:

• Sign-on (Listed as “Begin Monitoring”) – will utilize the “One-way shift time value” set within the assets escalation plan that the InReach device is associated to

• Sign-off (Listed as “End Monitoring”) – will disengage your working alone session within SafetyAware

• Check-in (Listed as “Check-in”) – will reset your safety timer

Gen 2 Devices – InReach Mini2, Garmin 67i, Montana 710/760, GPSMAP 86, Tread

Gen 2 device types must have been purchased with “InReach” technology in order to send messages and operate with the SafetyAware platform. All Gen 2 devices that contain InReach technology are only supported using the preset messages configuration. 

Preset Messages Configuration: 

This configuration utilizes preset messages to set and update your status within the SafetyAware platform. Not all standard alert types / features within SafetyAware are supported. 

Functions:

• Sign-on (Listed as “Begin Monitoring”) – will utilize the “One-way shift time value” set within the assets escalation plan that the InReach device is associated to

• Sign-off (Listed as “End Monitoring”) – will disengage your working alone session within SafetyAware

• Check-in (Listed as “Check-in”) – will reset your safety timer 

Broadcast Messaging 

There are three separate options available for broadcast messaging within the SafetyAware solution: App message, text message, and email message. 

Users must have either the “Client administrator, asset group view only, or asset group administrator” permission to utilize the broadcast messaging feature within SafetyAware. 

Broadcast Message Type Support: 

Mixed device Gen type deployments: 

If your organization has a mix of device generations deployed out in the field (eg: InReach SE+ & InReach Mini 2), when utilizing the broadcast message feature, you may receive up to three duplicate messages each time an “App message” broadcast type is sent. 

This is due to the satellite rate plans available by generation of device type which determines the “Master InReach Account” your InReach is activated under. 

Replying Back to Broadcast Messages Received: 

When you receive a broadcast message from your organization administrator or a monitoring operator on your InReach devices it will display in the messages section of your device as an email message (with a mail icon beside the message). 

The email address referenced should be added as a contact so you can easily identify that it is your organization administrator or monitoring operator sending messages to you. 

You can directly reply to the message received on your InReach device, or via the associated smartphone applications (Garmin Messenger, or Earthmate). 

Replies will be received within the SafetyAware Control Center web portal as “Comments” associated to you. Your administrator or monitoring operator will see these within the “Activity Feed” associated to you.

Unit-to-unit Messaging 

For unit-to-unit messaging with the InReach devices, the behavior varies based on device type and whether a BLE paired smartphone application is associated. 

InReach Addresses 

For all InReach devices, unit-to-unit messaging is supported by using the devices “inReach address”. The inReach address is a unique address assigned after activation. The inReach address utilizes the email address that is associated to the Garmin device when activated by Aware360. 

Upon receiving your inReach devices, your inreach address(s) should be provided to you by the Aware360 customer success team. You can also access your inreach device directly on the device 

Gen 1 Devices – InReach SE+ & InReach Explorer+ 

Finding your InReach Address:

Navigate to settings > about this device 

Gen 1 Unit-to-Unit Messaging

The only way for unit to unit messaging to work with a Gen 1 inReach device is to utilize the devices inreach address. 

Individuals who have a Gen 1 InReach device can download the Garmin Earthmate app to make messaging easier. The Garmin Earthmate app allows individuals to send emails, text messages to mobile phone numbers, and inReach to inReach communication.

You must have an InReach device in order to use the Earthmate app. 

Gen 2 Devices – InReach Mini2, Garmin 67i, Montana 710/760, GPSMAP 86, Tread 

Finding your InReach Address (for Garmin 67i, Montana 710/760, GPSMAP 86 & Tread):

Navigate to inReach utilities followed by scrolling to the ⓘ icon which will display your plan details and your inReach address below. 

Finding your InReach Address(for InReach Mini 2):

Tap the “ok” button, scroll down to “Service Plan”, select plan details 

Gen 2 Unit-to-unit Messaging 

Gen 2 inReach devices introduced the ability to pair them with the “Garmin Messenger” smartphone application. The Garmin messenger application allows inReach users to “link” their mobile device number to a Garmin messenger account. This allows you to send a message to the individuals traditional mobile phone number, and they can receive the message over their inReach device when out of service. 

In order to send a message to an inReach user through the Garmin Messenger app, the following requirements must be met:

• The inReach user must have a device that is compatible with the Garmin Messenger app. For a list of devices, see - Garmin Messenger App: Compatible Devices

• The inReach user must register their cell phone number in the Garmin Messenger app and pair their inReach device with their phone.

• You must have the inReach user's cell phone number saved in your phone's contacts, or the inReach user must send you a message first. 

When setting up the Garmin Messenger app on your phone, you will be prompted to enable permissions so the app can access your phone's contacts. Once permissions are enabled, the app will sync with your phone's contacts to check for other Garmin Messenger users. 

Mobile-to-unit Messaging 

Gen 1 Devices – InReach SE+ & InReach Explorer+ 

You cannot send a direct message to a Gen 1 inReach device from your mobile phone. 

Gen 2 Devices – InReach Mini2, Garmin 67i, Montana 710/760, GPSMAP 86, Tread 

You may choose to use the Garmin Messenger™ app without a an inReach® satellite communicator for messaging purposes. 

After you download the app, follow the prompts to verify your mobile phone number. You do not have to create an account or sign in to send and receive messages using the cellular connection of your compatible smartphone. 

If you allow Garmin Messenger to access your phone contacts the app will check for other Garmin Messenger app users based on their phone numbers. 

Users of the Garmin Messenger app who do not have an inReach device, may communicate with other users that may or may not have one. 

When no inReach device is being used with the Garmin Messenger app, it will provide an option to compose a new message as well as searching contacts.

Reminders 

The reminders feature within the SafetyAware solution is not supported over inReach devices.

Additional Support

Sending a Message to an inReach Device | Support Center

Contacts and Sending Messages With the Earthmate App | Support Center

Using the Garmin Messenger App Without an inReach Compatible Device | Support Center