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Terms of Service

Last updated: June 2026

1. The TrailSOS service

TrailSOS provides a digital emergency medical profile system linked to a physical NFC card. When your NFC card is tapped by any device with NFC capability and an active internet connection, your emergency medical profile is displayed on that device without requiring a login or app download.

The card directs to a secure HTTPS website. Your medical information is not stored on the card itself — it is retrieved from our servers each time the card is tapped. An active internet connection on the scanning device is therefore required. This design ensures compatibility with all modern smartphones, including iPhones, which restrict NFC to secure HTTPS URLs.

2. The Stay Online subscription

Keeping your emergency profile live requires an annual Stay Online subscription of R99 per year. If you purchased your card through Go Hiking SA, your first year is included in the card price. A once-off R5 billing activation fee is charged when you set up your subscription — this covers payment processing costs. Your first annual renewal of R99 is then due one year from your activation date.

3. Billing and automatic renewal

  • Your subscription renews automatically each year via PayFast. R99 is charged on your renewal date unless you cancel beforehand.
  • You will receive an email reminder before each renewal.
  • Payment is processed by PayFast (payfast.co.za). By setting up billing you also agree to PayFast's terms of service.
  • To cancel auto-renewal, email TrailSOS.support@gmail.com before your renewal date. Your profile stays live until the end of the current paid period.

3a. Cancellation policy

You may cancel your Stay Online subscription at any time by emailing TrailSOS.support@gmail.com. Cancellation stops future automatic renewals. Your emergency profile remains live for the remainder of the current paid subscription period. No partial refunds are issued for unused time within a paid period.

To cancel, please include your registered email address and the subject line “Cancel subscription”. Cancellations are processed within 2 business days.

3b. Refund policy

Annual subscription (R99): Subscription payments are non-refundable once processed, except where required by South African consumer protection law. If a payment is charged in error (e.g. a duplicate charge), contact us within 7 days at TrailSOS.support@gmail.com and we will investigate and refund where applicable.

Physical NFC card: The physical card is non-refundable once dispatched. If your card arrives damaged or defective, contact us within 14 days of receipt and we will replace it at no charge.

3c. Card delivery

Physical TrailSOS NFC cards are sold and dispatched by Go Hiking SA, our authorised distributor, or directly by TrailSOS. Delivery is to addresses within South Africa only.

  • Digital activation: Your emergency profile goes live immediately once you have created your account and set up billing — no waiting for the physical card.
  • Physical card: Dispatched within 5 business days of purchase. Delivery timeframes depend on the courier and your location. You will be notified when your card has been dispatched.
  • If your card has not arrived within 15 business days of dispatch notification, contact us at TrailSOS.support@gmail.com.

4. What happens if your subscription lapses

  • Days 1–60 after expiry (Grace Period): Your full profile remains visible with an amber banner noting that information may be outdated.
  • After 60 days: Only critical fields (name, blood type, and primary emergency contact) are displayed. Your account is not deleted.
  • Your card is never automatically deactivated. Only the platform administrator can disable a card.

5. Service limitations

  • Internet required: Your emergency profile can only be displayed if the scanning device has an active internet connection. In areas without mobile network coverage, the profile may not be accessible. TrailSOS accepts no liability for inaccessibility caused by lack of connectivity at the time of an emergency.
  • NFC required: The scanning device must support NFC and have it enabled. Not all devices support NFC. TrailSOS accepts no liability for inability to scan the card on unsupported devices.
  • Platform availability: TrailSOS will make every reasonable effort to keep the service operational at all times. The service is provided as-is. The operator does not guarantee uninterrupted availability and accepts no liability for service downtime beyond circumstances within its reasonable control.

6. Your responsibilities

  • Test your card before use. After receiving your card, tap it with your own device to confirm your profile loads correctly before going on a trail.
  • Keep your emergency profile accurate and up to date. Outdated medical information could mislead first responders. TrailSOS displays information exactly as you have entered it.
  • Keep your account login credentials secure. Do not share your password. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
  • Use a profile photograph that clearly and currently identifies you.

TrailSOS is a data-display tool, not a medical service provider or emergency dispatch system. Calling emergency services (112 or 10177) remains the primary emergency action.

7. Limitation of liability

TrailSOS is not a medical service and accepts no liability for medical outcomes resulting from information displayed on your emergency profile. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide.

8. Service discontinuation

In the event that TrailSOS is permanently discontinued, registered users will be notified by email at least 30 days in advance. All personal data will be permanently deleted within 90 days of service termination. No refunds are provided for unused subscription periods in the event of discontinuation.

9. Rental wristband programme

TrailSOS offers rental NFC wristbands through authorised tour operators. If you are a tour participant receiving a rental wristband, the following applies:

  • Your medical information is entered into the TrailSOS platform by the tour operator on your behalf. The tour operator is responsible for obtaining your express consent before doing so.
  • Your rental profile functions identically to a standard subscriber profile — it is accessible to any person who taps the wristband. You consent to this when agreeing to the rental programme.
  • Your data will be deleted within 24 hours of the wristband being returned. You do not create a TrailSOS account and your data is not retained after the rental period.
  • If you wish to withdraw consent during the rental period, inform your tour guide immediately. The guide is obligated to remove your profile without delay.
  • Rental wristbands are not individually owned. You must return the wristband to the tour operator at the end of the activity.

For questions about your rental data, contact your tour operator or TrailSOS at TrailSOS.support@gmail.com.

10. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.