Key Takeaways
- Name emergency providers on Android or iPhone with out unlocking the display screen by swiping up and deciding on “Emergency” then dialing 911.
- Use emergency apps and offline maps to entry necessary data and talk throughout disasters, even with out web or mobile protection.
- Make the most of your telephone’s GPS to supply instructions in Airplane mode and obtain survival data for numerous emergencies.
A telephone is greater than a instrument for making calls or killing boredom on the web. It may be a lifesaver in instances of misery, however you need to know find out how to use it. Android and iPhone supply an SOS characteristic that, when activated, will robotically ship alerts to your contacts throughout an emergency. However there are much more methods you should utilize your telephone to make sure your security.
Not each technique for utilizing a telephone throughout medical emergencies and pure calamities is clear. For instance, do you know your telephone might nonetheless find you by way of GPS with none web or mobile protection? I will share inventive strategies when utilizing a smartphone to get you assist or out of hassle.
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1 Name or textual content for assist
Use useful shortcuts to make calling for assist simpler
In most emergencies, utilizing your telephone to name for assist must be the very first thing you take into account. Nevertheless, it’s best to solely do it if it is completely secure to take action. Throughout home violence, for instance, the quickest technique to alert authorities, a good friend, or shut relative is by putting a name. Nevertheless, it’s essential transfer to a secure spot earlier than putting a name in an emergency.
Admittedly, putting a voice name is not at all times splendid or secure. As an illustration, if an attacker is prone to hear you on the telephone, take into account sending a textual content message as a substitute. In actual fact, you’ll be able to even textual content 911 to get assist in the USA. Texting additionally helps to cut back community congestion throughout an emergency or pure catastrophe, so when mobile networks are slowed down, textual content messaging must be your default type of communication.
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The FCC maintains a spreadsheet that lists all of the native companies that help Textual content-to-911. Though Textual content-to-911 isn’t supported in every single place all through the US, its help is rising. To verify in case your native emergency response middle helps texting, go to this page, scroll right down to the Textual content-to-911 Registry part and search for the hyperlink to the Excel spreadsheet. Open the spreadsheet, then use CMD+F/Management+F to seek for your metropolis or county. It is up to date as soon as a month.
You may name emergency providers on Android and iPhone even when the telephone display screen is locked. Merely swipe up and, when requested for a password, faucet “Emergency”, then dial 9-1-1 or any emergency quantity in your area, and you will be related.
2 Use your iPhone’s satellite tv for pc connectivity to name for assist
You may want an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15
In case you have an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, it does not matter which mannequin, do your self a favor and test out its built-in Emergency SOS by way of Satellite tv for pc characteristic proper now. Doing so will familiarize you with find out how to use the characteristic ought to you find yourself in a spot with no cell service and have to name for assist. We cowl all the main points it’s essential learn about utilizing the characteristic, in apply or in an actual emergency, so you’ll want to read our guide.
3 Keep updated throughout disasters
Emergency apps can ship well timed notifications earlier than and after disasters
You may rapidly entry data in your telephone about find out how to put together for or survive pure (and unnatural) catastrophes like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, and so on. Native authorities and the federal government use emergency apps just like the FEMA app to ship notifications about impending emergencies, the place to hunt shelter, find out how to get there, important contacts, and lots of extra.
However needless to say it’s essential obtain and setup these apps forward of time, and with the intention to talk with different individuals, they’re going to additionally have to identical app or service, in addition to be inside a selected vary.
If community infrastructure is affected by a catastrophe, you’ll be able to nonetheless use offline communication apps like Bridgefy to contact individuals and discover different emergency-related data on the telephone with none sign. However needless to say it’s essential obtain and setup these apps forward of time, and with the intention to talk with different individuals, they’re going to additionally have to identical app or service, in addition to be inside a selected vary. Bridgefy, as an illustration, has a spread of 330 ft.
One other app, SOS InfoCons, offers you with all of the emergency providers contact data you’d want based mostly in your present location.
4 Have a backup of your ID
Add your ID to your digital pockets, or take a photograph
If you have not carried any figuring out paperwork they usually’re wanted someplace, you should utilize your telephone quantity and saved photos of your identification paperwork as proof of identification. Or if you happen to dwell in a state that helps including your ID card to your telephone’s wallet app, that will additionally function a simple technique to have your ID playing cards with you always.
Comply with our instructions to add your ID card to Google Wallet or add your ID to Apple Wallet; once more, you will have to dwell in a state that helps the characteristic. Should you do not dwell in a single, it’s a good suggestion to have photographs of your identification for proof if you happen to want it. Test Google Wallet and Apple Wallet data pages for additional data.
5 Utilizing your telephone’s GPS to search out instructions
You may even get instructions in Airplane mode
Your telephone’s GPS location characteristic will help you discover instructions when misplaced in a brand new metropolis or whereas climbing, which is one thing most of us use frequently. However, your telephone’s GPS characteristic additionally works when you do not have a mobile sign or entry to the web, together with when your telephone is in Airplane mode.
The key is to obtain an offline map of the world you are in, be it the place you reside or an space the place you are going to go on a hike. The GAIA app works with Android and iPhone, affords offline maps, and can discover your GPS location with none connectivity.
Google Maps also supports offline maps and directions for each platforms.
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6 Get necessary survival data
Have at the very least one emergency app in your telephone to maintain you knowledgeable
Whenever you’re stranded, your telephone is a useful supply of knowledge. Apps options like Google Lens will help you perceive symbols and even determine edible vegetation and fruits, however you will want an web connection to ensure that it to work. Nevertheless, there are many apps in each Google’s Play Retailer and Apple’s App Retailer that make it easier to determine toxic vegetation, comparable to this one for the iPhone and this one for Android
7 Use your telephone’s flashlight as an SOS beacon
Don’t know Morse code? That’s alright
Apple/Pocket-lint
The flashlight characteristic in your telephone is handy in all types of conditions, in fact. Nevertheless it’s additionally a fast and straightforward technique to ship an SOS sign that close by rescuers or first responders can see at evening. The best technique to power your telephone’s flashlight to do the correct sample for SOS is to obtain and use an app, such because the aptly named Flashlight app for the iPhone or the SOS Flashlight app for Android. Each apps have a devoted SOS mode that begins with the faucet of a button.
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8 Escape uncomfortable conditions
Making a faux telephone name can scare off stalkers
If a stranger is following you on the streets, you’ll be able to pull out your telephone and fake to be reporting the incident or calling for assist. It could postpone the aggressor, purchase you extra time to think about an escape plan, or report the incident to somebody close by.
Some helpful telephone options throughout emergencies
To finest survive emergencies, it’s essential know the telephone options that may be useful. They embody;
-
Name and messaging
: Lets you talk and ship details about your state of affairs -
Web connectivity
: Lets you use emergency apps (e.g., first support and messaging apps) and discover data on-line. -
GPS location
: Helps you with instructions and to be simply situated by rescue groups -
Emergency SOS
: Saves necessary contacts and knowledge that may be helpful throughout emergencies -
Google Lens
: Interprets textual content, identifies unfamiliar objects (together with vegetation, animals, and pores and skin situations), scans symbols, and so on. -
Chat and AI assistant
: Instruments like Google Assistant and Siri can reply questions and set off emergency SOS by way of voice instructions -
Digicam
: Captures photos and video footage to share -
Flashlight
: Helps in blackouts and with sending indicators
0:55
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Smartphone FAQs for emergencies
Which emergency apps ought to I’ve on my telephone?
First support and survival apps are essentially the most important emergency apps to have in your telephone. Should you’re in a area that is susceptible to pure disasters, you also needs to take into account native authority apps that can warn you about forthcoming threats and find out how to defend your self. Among the many apps that could be helpful are:
How can I keep secure throughout an emergency?
You may observe a few of these fundamental security suggestions throughout an emergency, relying in your circumstances.
- Discover a secure place away from hazard to remain till assist arrives
- Alert a number of of your contacts and the related companies for assist
-
Don’t panic
(keep calm) - Keep away from issues which will escalate the state of affairs (like a confrontation)
-
Guarantee your telephone’s
GPS location monitoring is turned on - Hold your telephone on on a regular basis to be reachable
-
Have your
first support package and emergency provides
with you if it is a pure catastrophe -
Guarantee your telephone has sufficient cost and
flip off power-draining apps -
Have a
portable battery pack
to maintain your telephone going - Keep knowledgeable by way of survival apps, disaster response pages, and media like radio
How can I add emergency contacts to my telephone?
You may add emergency contacts on Android by way of settings. Go to Settings > Person Accounts/Password & Safety > Emergency Info/ Emergency SOS. Afterward, add your emergency contacts (plus any further data) and activate the Emergency SOS characteristic. On iPhone, emergency contacts will also be added by way of the Settings part, the place you will discover the Emergency SOS menu and supply medical data and contacts on the Well being app.
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