Getting a cell phone can save your life
65Having one without using it...unless you need to
Most people see cell phones as an annoyance at the movies, a rude conversation interruption or lost time at meetings. But my view on them are a little different. I have one, everyone in my family has one, but i do not activate it or ever use it. Do I think I am cool or something? No, i don't think i am cool, but i know I am safe and smart and here is why:
Basic FCC 911 rules require cell phone providers to:
Transmit all 911 calls to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), regardless of whether the caller subscribes to the provider's service or not.
This means that from any location you have a right to the services of 911 even if your cellular phone is not active. Make sure to tell dispatchers your location as precisely as possible because unlike landlines (phones connected to telephone poles) they do not know your exact location. The FCC is making this a requirement but it still not applied yet, and may not be for awhile.
Also answer the dispatchers questions without argument because they are telling this information to medical staff en route to help you.
So I may not be cool or hip because I can't text or send dumb photos, but I know that if I ever need it, I have a device which may save my life, and the only cost was the price i paid for it. I don't have the budget for an activated cell phone, but I have the common sense to have one with me at all times. The same principal as having a fire detector in my home. I paid to have it, check to make sure the batteries are okay once in awhile. So I pay nothing to have this device which may someday save my life.
And the best part is, it was no more expensive than a good fire detector, and my wife and kids know they can use theirs in case of an emergency also. Probably the toughest part was my kids wanting to activate theirs, which i did not succumb to, and they learned in short time it was not going to happen.
Hope this helps any one whether solo or family to get their own and use it the same way i do, which hopefully we never have to.
Here are maps of some Cell phone towers registered by the FCC in the U.S.A.
cell phone
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NEW Black Motorola V3i Unlocked Cell Phone Basic TMOBILE/AT&T/SIMPLE MOBILE/H2O
Current Bid: $44.00
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Motorola W315 Cell Phone VERIZON Basic Flip CLEAN ESN No Contract 100% GUARANTEE
Current Bid: $19.95
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Nokia 2610 - Black (AT&T) Cell Phone - No contract Basic Phone - Slim
Current Bid: $14.99
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Sony Ericsson T250A (CRC) T250 Unlocked GSM Phone Basic Cheap Simple
Current Bid: $29.99
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Brilliant. There is one other thing everyone can do whether they use their cell phones or not. A paramedic friend told me everyone should add "ICE" to their contact list. If you have tons of names in your contact list, they won't know which one to call if you are hurt or incapacitated. They look for ICE..In Case of Emergency... to know who to call.
ICE...good tip Rhym, you've taught me something and i've added my brother as my ICE.
It is very common that people don't know the 911 fact, most of my friends didn't either. At first I would forget to bring it with me, but it's like my watch now even though I don't use it, kinda feel naked without it.
Great advice. My wife doesn't like cell phones but now all the extra ones lying around the house have a use. Thanks and welcome.
Does NOT NOT NOT work here where I am!
You get NADA if you have no service. Even WITH service during a drive to T.B. I lose service range for over 70 miles!!
privateye2500 it sounds like you may be in a dead zone. In these locations you may not be able to transmits a signal to a Cell site, Base station or Repeater. This can happen even in a city and is usually caused by tall buildings, hilly terrain, trees, excessive foliage or distance.
Judging by you mentioning losing transmission even with coverage it is probably a lack of transmission sites.
I have added a link to a list of cell phone towers in the U.S.A registered by the FCC at the bottom of this article.
Great hub yenseca. Full of very useful info about how cell phones can be helpful. I'm following your hubs from now on. :)
The list doesn't help when you live in the dead zones! LOL
Sure - it could *maybe* save your life...but that totally depends on the circumstances, doesn't it!?
The motives...are you being attacked?
Car-jacked?
Time to dial? Might not seem like long but it takes my cell several seconds to even bootup enough to punch in 911 & in a hairy situation...those keys are Pretty dern small.
I appreciate your hub...but there are *other items* - MANY!! that would do a better job in most cases.
Just my opinion - living in the dead zone! lol
Best regards, Melanie
Sally's Trove 4 years ago
I didn't know that...about 911 being available even if your phone isn't activated.
I never, never travel without my cell phone, precisely for the reason you and your family have cell phones. When I'm not traveling, my cell phone is turned off. It took a while, but now my friends and family know not to call me on my cell if I'm at home, because I won't answer it (unless the caller is my mother or my daughter).
Good info here. Thanks!