Is there any way to communicate in an emergency when there is no cellphone reception?
Asked by
peggylou (
1141
)
September 23rd, 2009
My son, who is constructing roads in southern Missouri where there are lots of big hills and deep valleys, just cut his leg while cutting down trees with a chain saw. There is no cellphone service there. He was very fortunate and able to walk a mile or so to his closest neighbor’s, who rushed him to the hospital. Do any of you have any suggestions about how he could communicate with someone in case of another accident when there is no cell phone coverage for miles?
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17 Answers
On my cell phone I can call 911 even if I don’t have service. I thought that was standard?
@omfgTALIjustIMDu: I thought that only worked when you don’t have service because you haven’t paid for service. If there’s no reception, there’s no reception, so how can you dial out? What am I missing?
@peggylou: Does he not have a landline? Walkie-talkies are a very economical option, but you have to have a second person within range who’s carrying the other one.
Sailors sometimes carry airhorns, but sound carries much better over water than it does in a mountainous region. Perhaps carrying flares and a collapsible mortar would not be such a bad idea.
Kids who are going camping or hiking are given whistles, but that only helps when there are people nearby.
I think they need to work under a buddy system. It is crazy that he had to walk so far for help.
I don’t know, but just wanted to say I hope your son is alright!
@augustlan : Thanks for the good wishes! He has 38 stitches—but no tendons, muscles, veins or arteries were cut. He won’t be cutting down any more trees for at least 6 weeks, but he knows how very lucky he is! He’s Andrew’s brother Tony.
In remote areas you need to carry a EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). I carry one at all times when in remote areas. They have saved lots of lives. Most yachts and small vessels carry them, but so do people who hike or trek in remote areas. They can be obtained from Marine or Camping supply outlets.
When things go pear shaped you push the button and wait for a rescue aircraft. If they can’t land they will guide ground rescue services. If it looks bad they might parachute in or drop from a rotary wing aircraft.
@peggylou I’m glad it turned out so well… tell him to lay off the chainsaws for a while!
Flare gun or signal pistol.
Flare guns are only really of use when someone is already looking for you. They are a bit outdated nowadays.
a HAM radio might work, but you do need someone on the other side / in range.
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