How 911 texting will impact search and rescue

I want to see a Spot device that does 2 way texting even if it requires
a smartphone like the current Spot Connect requires (but it only
handles 1 way texting now).

Sent to you by Roleigh via Google Reader: How 911 texting will impact
search and rescue via GPS Tracklog by Rich Owings on 10/22/12



Last week I posted about how 911 can’t even locate your mobile phone in
many parts of the US, so most folks shouldn’t expect to be able to text
911 anytime soon, but that will change early next year for some Verizon
customers. There isn’t a firm schedule for nationwide implementation of
this next generation 911 capability, but imagine the impact it will
ultimately have on backcountry search and rescue (SAR). After all, text
messages can often be successfully delivered where coverage is too weak
to place a voice call.

SPOT satellite communicators recently racked up their 2000th rescue,
and while some SAR personnel initially bemoaned them, others are
starting to see their value (although there are always going to be a
few idiots out there who will misuse any technology).

Yet the percentage of backcountry users carrying a satellite
communicator must be way less than 1%. Cell phones though? The number
is undoubtedly huge. Many GPS Tracklog readers have come across folks
on the trail who clearly weren’t prepared, had no sense of direction
and certainly didn’t have a map and compass with them. I suspect that
the number of SAR missions will go up dramatically once nationwide 911
texting is up and running.

What do you think? For those of you outside the US that already have
911 texting, how has it played out?

Image © Copyright John Chroston and licensed for reuse under this
Creative Commons Licence

Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to GPS Tracklog using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your
favorite sites