Get help when you need it, wherever you may be.
Millions of people take off into remote areas all the time for a leisurely hike in the woods or take on a sport like rock-climbing or mountain biking. But what happens when something goes wrong — if you or someone else gets injured? This is where emergency location tracking devices and other solutions really come into their own.
The tracking solutions smartwatches and smartphones offer can get people out of sticky situations every year — and sometimes save lives. Let’s look at multiple ways to get help using tracking technology if you’re in an emergency.
Signal for help using your phone or smartwatch
One of the best land-based solutions for tracking has to be via a smartwatch or smartphone with a 4G connection to the Internet. This means you can call for help directly or send a text message. Whenever you call the emergency services they can see your location at their end, thanks to GPS tracking installed on your device.
There are special SOS apps you can download in advance. Instead of searching for numbers in a panic, you simply open it and hit the SOS button. It will send out a location beacon to your friends, family, and any emergency services.
Even without your exact location, search crew equipment can pick up a signal coming from your phone or smartwatch to pinpoint you and send help.
Send an alert with a satellite phone
Whether you are in the jungles of Costa Rica or the middle of the Rockies, these specially designed phones work using satellites to place a call.
Many new models will automatically connect you to your nearest point of help, wherever you are in the world. Also, you won’t experience poor connection due to a weak signal. These phones can be pretty pricey, but the peace of mind they bring is second to none.
Satellite phones rely on multiple satellites to connect a call. This means that even if one satellite has difficulty sending a signal, any nearby satellites can fill any gaps and restore the connection.
What are emergency location tracking devices?
An emergency location tracking device is typically a small, hand-held that sends out an SOS signal if you’re in an accident. They give rescue services your exact location. When you activate it, a beacon triggers a homing signal that accurately locates your precise position.
Whether you want to track your vehicle, other assets, your new teen driver, or yourself, there is a wide range of emergency location tracking devices on the market today designed to let you know where something or someone is 24/7 to the nearest meter. These devices are usually no bigger than a phone and can provide an accurate location signal in an emergency.
Some tracking devices are specially designed for use at sea. If you’re wearing one and fall overboard, the device can alert the crew.
It can also force an automatic engine shut off, so the boat stays close to you. Many tracking devices require a monthly subscription price to maintain the satellite connection.
Personal locator beacon (PLB)
These clever devices don’t actively track your location wherever you go, but having one could very well be a lifesaver. They function using satellite technology. But unlike a satellite phone or regular smartphone, they don’t allow you to make a direct call or send text messages.
PLBs are helpful for one thing — alerting rescue agencies that you’re in distress using an emergency SOS message. PLBs are usually much cheaper than satellite phones, have long battery life, and give a strong satellite signal that works on a repeater to broadcast your exact location constantly.
Some of them even have a bright flashing light feature, too, so if you are lost in the dark, you can be seen from miles away.
Conclusion
We’d always recommend having your smartwatch with GPS capabilities or smartphone with you at all times should anything happen to you or one of your group. If you’re planning on visiting places where phone signal is likely to be an issue, then a small tracking device or PLB is your second best option.
However, if you have bigger adventures in mind and you know you won’t be near a cellular tower for maybe days or weeks at a time, investing in a satellite phone is your best option.
Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in such a situation, but it never hurts to prepare for the worst possible scenarios — even if you’re only looking to get away and decompress.
Interested in more ways to stay safe? Take a look at our recent articles such as finding your way home using your smartwatch or the top solutions for personal protection.
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A top of the line copywriter with more than a decade of writing experience with many high-end and diverse multinational clients. Lots of experience and interest in writing about and implementing technology. Scott manages the creation of content for us as a freelancer service and even though he is based in the UK, his writers can adapt and cater to our audience which is mostly US based.
Currently living a rural life in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom and devoted to work. Owner of Anglo Content writing services.