How a Digital Device Can Save You in the Real World

8 COOL AND EFFECTIVE GADGETS THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE [Video]

Video uploaded by TechZone on November 11, 2020

Phone to the Rescue or How a Digital Device Can Save You in the Real World

This is one for those still grumbling about the modern technology detaching us from reality, the current generation “living in a digital matrix”, wasting their life being glued to the screens, withering away in clutches of illusion… not. That is, those complainers, too, could do well reading on, if only to learn that damned device can actually come quite handy in quite physical (and vital, at that) circumstances. But, first and foremost, our goal here is, as usual, to inform our trusty and tech-loving audience of what their staunch digital companions – smartphones, in this case – can do for them, on top of their most commonly-known functions, such as making calls or playing music.

And no, we didn’t go for the words “rescue” and “save” in the title just for the attention-getting purposes. Your calling / playing / gaming gadget is indeed capable to get you out of most extreme situations whole-skinned, and here are some examples of why with them, you might be safer than you think even when a calamity is looming.

Now, by calamity we don’t mean just sudden bouts of illnesses when ringing a short emergency number or resorting to voice assistant’s help may – and does – prevent the irrevocable damage; useful as it is, this sort of thing has become such a commonplace, it would be a tad presumptuous on our side to suppose that any of you might still be unaware of it. We are talking full-on catastrophes or crimes here. Most of which befall you when you are out in the open – or as good as – be them of seismic, fiery, watery or windy nature. That’s when a simple call is mostly not enough, and it’s certainly not the best of ideas speaking to Alexa from a burning forest or when a tornado is approaching, or when the ground is shifting beneath your feet. But, amazingly, even then you still can quickly contact the first aiders, thanks to the text options and special applications. The SMS will reach those who can urgently help you much quicker (for starters, they are not stopped by the “busy line” curse), and, just like calls, they will inform rescuers of your location automatically. The Morse SOS applications (of which there are a whole range available, for any type of phone OS) will send a request-for-saving signal literally instantly, and quite a few of them are free, so even if you are out of minutes and data, there’s still a way out. Look for the Flashlight & More if you are an iPhone owner, and for Android users, there is Super-Bright LED Flashlight to turn to.

The Morse SOS applications (of which there are a whole range available, for any type of phone OS) will send a request-for-saving signal literally instantly, and quite a few of them are free, so even if you are out of minutes and data, there’s still a way out.

Of course, to use these life-saving resources, you have to do your bit and think some way ahead as well. For instance, when out of mobile network range (lost in a desert or in some other remote location), it is a wise move for anyone to switch your device to airplane mode and turn off other unnecessary yet power-draining services, thus stretching your battery life as long as possible. Then, you’ll have a better chance that your phone will still be alive when you reach the network-covered area, so the nearest mobile towers will allow the first responders to locate you. Also, before venturing off to such signal-unfriendly places, take our advice and download the map of your destination (seeing as there are enough apps for this as well: GAIA GPS is the first that comes to mind). With it, any smartphone will be able to find your whereabouts, signal or no signal. (Another sensible material to download in advance would be Wikipedia’s poisonous flora guide software and / or an application offering the map for whichever area you are travelling to: both can prove a valuable source for what is safe to eat once you get hungry).

The same, by the way, goes for some more regular situations, such as the aforementioned voice assistant-requiring medical problems. If by whatever reason making a call turns out impossible, your device would better be prepared to accept your verbal command to call emergency services, so setting up the Voice Match function via the home button (for Google-using Android gadgets) or switching on “Listen for Hey Siri” in iPhone’s Siri settings should be one of your first priorities. It’s not fun to remember that you haven’t gotten over to it – or to activating the fall detector in your Apple Watch for that matter – once an unfortunate disabling accident has already happened.

If by whatever reason making a call turns out impossible, your device would better be prepared to accept your verbal command to call emergency services, so setting up the Voice Match function via the home button.

As for precautions for the opposite kind of danger – namely, when you are not alone without a friendly helping hand to get you out of a rut, but in a vicinity of some dangerous individual/s who themselves are a rut (a shooter, a breaker-in and such) – immediate muting the sound, turning off the vibrations and darkening the screen of your phone is the way to go before you text the police or some unsuspecting bystanders in danger to warn them. Plus, make yourself aware in good time whether your place is covered by the text-to-911 services (you can learn that from the FCC). It’s a much quicker and discreet way of getting this kind of assistance.

And finally – or rather, to begin with – create a list of contacts you trust and can rely on in any precarious situation, give them constant access to your location (via the according applications, like Google Maps or Find My for iPhone, or across-the-platform-compatible Glympse) and put your medical data on your phone as well (and yes, there are specific apps for this, too, such as Personal Safety, for example). This is certainly the case of the more (you can call for help) the merrier (the outcome will be).