There are many benefits to having a cell phone: the ease of communication, ability to get information fast, and entertainment value. One important benefit to consider is the important difference having a cell phone can make in an emergency situation. If you are in trouble and need help fast, your cell phone can be a life saver – literally. We’re going to show you how to set up and use your cell phone for emergencies.
How to alert others to your emergency
When an emergency occurs, the first thing to do is alert that you need help. If you are able to open your phone and dial a number, you will be able to call 911 or a friend or family member for help quickly. You can even utilize shortcuts on your phone to make that process even quicker. For example, if you hold down the side button and volume button on an iPhone, it will start a countdown to call 911 and emit an alarm sound. On an Android phone you can access emergency numbers and contacts by clicking “emergency call” on the lock screen. You may also need to hold down the power button until “emergency mode” pops up which allows you to access emergency services.
Emergency Assistance Apps
In some situations, it may be necessary to call for help more discreetly. One great app that is available for both iPhones and Android phones is bSafe. You can go into the app and press a button that notifies your emergency contacts of your location. bSafe also allows them to get video and audio of where you are. If you can’t discreetly press the button or touch your phone, you can set up a code phrase that will activate it instead. Another app, Kitestring, texts you at a pre-set time to check on you. If you don’t respond, they contact emergency services. This is helpful if you know you’ll be alone in an unsafe area. There are many other emergency service apps as well, so you can find one that you like best to help you use your cell phone for emergencies.
In Case of Emergency (ICE) Contacts
It is also useful to set up In Case of Emergency contacts (ICE). You can do this through the contacts app on an Android phone and through the health app on an iPhone. This allows you and others with you to quickly access the people you want notified in an emergency situation. Emergency contacts are especially helpful for medical teams who want to notify family if you are taken to the hospital. They can see these emergency contacts even when the phone is locked by clicking the emergency button on the lock screen. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can type the letters “ICE” next to emergency contact names and put those contacts on speed-dial for quick access.
Medical Information
In a medical emergency, it is important for health professionals to have access to your medical information. You will likely not be in a state to tell them yourself, so having that information accessible on your smartphone is a fantastic tool. On an iPhone, you will see an option for Medical ID in the Health app. Within the Medical ID you can fill out allergies, medications, medical conditions and notes, blood type, height and weight, organ donor information, and emergency contacts. Select “show when locked” at the bottom of the Medical ID page to allow access even when your phone is locked. On an Android phone, you will need to download an app to put your information in. Some good options are iMedAlert, MyID, and ICE: In Case of Emergency.
No one wants or expects to get into an emergency situation, but it’s important to be prepared. Your cell phone is almost always with you, and it is a great resource for storing important information and quickly contacting help when you need it. Now, set up and use your cell phone for emergencies!