There cannot be too many questions on this subject for me Pete, so fire at will
I am keen to understand what people feel they need to know and be aware of any concerns they may have, as my objective is to produce a very straight-forward guide, that anyone can access, using videos and information that can be downloaded, from this forums host website, in addition to writing about the subject in the popular press, so your questions are invaluable.
The simple answer to your questions is Yes: Mobile phones can be used in different ways to contact the Emergency Services, in addition to mobile phone voice calls and sending SMS texts. I have detailed them here:
VoIPThe third most common method of contacting the Emergency services is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which is Internet telephony, also referred to as VoBB (Voice over BroadBand) and broadband phone.
Last year 120,000 calls were made to OACs (Operator Assistance Centres) using VoIP, the most common of which was Skype – in strictest technical terms Skype is not VoIP, but for the purposes of this answer and because the term VOIP has become analogous for any communications that deliver voice communications over IP networks, such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks, we will include it.
All VoIP providers in the UK have to comply with an OFCOM (The Office of Communications - this regulates, amongst other things, telecommunications in the UK) requirement to allow 112/999 calling from any IP telephone device and route it through to an approved OAC. A similar arrangement is in place in the United States.
As a consequnce VoIP providers’ who operate in the UK route all 112/999 calls direct to BT’s OACs. However the system is not as resilient as voice calls made using the mobile phone network, as it will not work during an electrical power or broadband provider outage, or if your VoIP account has been suspended or terminated.
EmailCurrently there is no direct access to the OACs using email, but this is something the Home Office are investigating. The problem arises because current internet security providers are finding it difficult to keep up with the rising amount and complexity of inbound threats from malicious code and fraudulent messages, including spam, that circulate via email and the risk of mass hoax contacts are substantial.
I personally would recommend that you send a
distress email to a responsible person, whether this be a family member or good friend, who you have discussed the matter with in advance and ask them to contact the Emergency Services on your behalf.
Mobile phone lightsThe International Distress Signal
* can be employed using the mobile phone’s cameras flash:
• 6 quick successive flashes
• Wait one minute
• Repeat the signal every 5 minutes
• Keep repeating the signal until help arrives. This is important and helps those coming to you to actually find you
I was with an RAF Sea King helicopter crew that picked up the light from a mobile phone, at night, 3 miles away. This was possible because the aircrew use the latest generation sophisticated NVG (Night Vision Goggles). All the RAF SAR fleet of Sea Kings are fitted with a video/infrared detection pod, which is similar to the equipment used by police helicopters, to help search for casualties and all SAR crews are trained to operate using night-vision goggles over unfamiliar terrain.
There are also some apps for both Android and Apple smartphones that can turn the phones screen into a torch.
I learned of a terrific story, from a friend who is a member of the busy Lakeland Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, that took place in November. Three members of a family had become crag fast on a steep scree slope above Wast Water Lake. The team were mobilised at 18:00hrs and using their RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) reached the party, being guided to their exact location by the flashes from one of the casualty’s mobile phone cameras!
* Important note: In the USA and Canada the Distress Signal is 3 whistle blasts.