Emergency Phone Numbers

[SMARTY]

Doing some research for a trip and came across this:

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_telephone_number

Worth a read

 

[santaman2000]

Don't depend on the dispatcher's ability to locate your cell phone though. Even with "enhanced 911" (or whatever number) Unless you have a GPS equipped phone they can only pinpoint the location of the cell tower you're transmitting through; and that could be a mile away.

 

[EdS]

Actually, they triangulate your position from a number of mast. however, this only gives a vague estimate where you are, ranging from a few hundred metres to several km.

 

[santaman2000]

Actually, they triangulate your position from a number of mast. however, this only gives a vague estimate where you are, ranging from a few hundred metres to several km.

That's true in places with enough masts to triangulate. Over here there is usually only one or two masts within range at any given time; often only one.

 

[SMARTY]

Relying on your phone to get a position is not guaranteed, therefore having a GPS or map & compass so you can tell them your exact position is good practice, or bettter still carrying a PLB.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

It's bonkers, but a survey of UK 'youth' a few years ago resulted in the realisation that over half of them thought the number to be dialled for an emergency in the UK was 911 ! Lunatics. So that's why they decided to make 911 work in the UK too.