When technology works as designed, it can be helpful, and the police in Sault Ste. Marie say the free What 3 Words app helped save a lost hiker over the weekend.

The police said they received an emergency call around 5 PM Sunday from a hiker lost on Voyageur Road, north of Line 6.

Dispatchers with 911 were able to pinpoint the exact location of the person using the information provided by the app, which divides the world into 3-meter squares each containing a unique combination of three words.

The police said in a Tuesday morning press release, "The hiker was asked to stay put and wait for officers."

"Two members of the Emergency Services Unit attended the area using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and were quickly able to locate the lost person and return them safely."

While Northern Ontario is full of wildlife to explore, police remind adventurers to stay on marked and approved trails, follow routes according to skill level, and make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

The police said, "Carry a cell phone with you and make sure it is charged so that you can call for help if you get lost."

The app will still work even if you are offline. The app’s website says, "Without cell signal, the app works as if you have no data connection: you can view the location of any 3-word address you enter. You can also navigate to it using compass mode."

"To share a 3-word address via phone or text message, you need cell signal. To load maps or share in other apps or social media, you need a data connection."

Editor: Yusra Bamtraf