GPS trackers with SOS alarms and two-way communication are often a vital safety aid for people who are at risk such as lone workers, elderly relatives and children. They are also popular with outdoor adventurers. The SOS button activates a call to the 24/7 GEOS emergency response centre in case of life-threatening situations. The device will alert emergency contacts that are saved to the default message profile. The SOS button The SOS button can be activated through the tracker's app or by pressing a physical button on the device itself. Once activated, a message is sent to GEOS who is standing by 24/7/365 to assist with rescues around the world. They will notify the State Rescue Coordination Centre who will then contact any emergency services that are relevant for the situation. They can also activate a longer track log interval on your device, which will help them narrow down the location. This is much faster than contacting emergency services themselves and can save lives. Unfortunately, some people use the SOS button by accident and this can lead to unnecessary delays for those who really need it. It's important that you and your family members understand how the SOS button works and only press it in an emergency. If you accidentally activate the SOS button, most devices will have a countdown timer that allows you to cancel the call before it is sent. Some will also have an audible alarm or visual indication so there is no mistaking that the SOS has been pressed by mistake. You can also enable an automatic OK message to be sent to your family and friends from the tracker's app, which can be a great reassurance for them in times of danger. GEOS If you’re in distress and activate the SOS button on your device (either through the app or the physical button on the device itself) a signal is sent to the GPS satellite network and the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC). This privately run organization, which has handled over 83,000 emergency incidents, acts as the backbone for coordinating rescues triggered by devices like Garmin’s inReach and SPOT satellite communicators. Once a satellite signal containing your GPS coordinates is received by the IERCC, they will notify state emergency officials and county officials who in turn will determine the appropriate first responder teams to send to your location. Depending on the conditions, this could include a helicopter or search and rescue ground team. GEOS will continue to text you as the situation evolves while you’re waiting for help. Before heading into the backcountry it’s a good idea to schedule a test alert with GEOS and your device. You’ll need to have an active subscription and your device will need to be powered up in order to do this, but it’s worth doing so you know how the SOS feature works. You can schedule a test alert by filling out this online form at least 72 hours in advance of your desired date. This service is free for all post-pay IsatPhone 2 customers, but GEOS will charge an annual fee for non-post-pay subscribers. Messages Most GPS trackers have a main alert button made specifically for emergency situations. It can be activated via the tracker’s smartphone app or by pushing it physically. The device will then transmit a distress signal to IERCC and send a text message with the user’s location to any contacts saved on that device. Some devices will also have a countdown timer that allows users to cancel the SOS call if it was accidentally initiated. If the SOS button is activated, the device’s track log will stop and the Message Sending light will start flashing. This will then switch to red as SPOT tries to latch on to GPS satellites and then to green once it has done so. If you have the option to purchase additional minutes, a counter in the user space will display how many minutes you have left. While carrying a GPS with an SOS feature is a good idea, if you’re going to be travelling in remote areas for extended periods and want to have the ability to communicate in case of an accident or emergency, I recommend investing in a satellite messenger like those produced by Garmin inReach, Zoleo, Somewear Global Hotspot, Ocean Signal rescueME and ResQLink View (all have monthly plans). These are two-way communication devices that rely on commercial satellite networks rather than the military network used by PLBs (and therefore cost more). They can send preset messages to pre-configured contacts, link your coordinates to social media and be used as navigation devices. lone worker monitoring system Calls Many GPS trackers come equipped with a call function that can send your location to a list of emergency contacts or 911 in the event of an accident. This is particularly helpful if you’re in remote areas where you might not have the ability to use your smartphone. You can also find some standalone GPS devices that can alert emergency services with a single button. These devices are ideal for lone workers who need to stay in touch with others while at work, like contractors and other field staff. For example, you can find a device like the Alphahom that allows users to communicate their situation through voice calls and texts. Apple’s iPhone 14 features a built-in SOS button that will notify 911 via satellite if a Crash Detection or Fall Detection is activated while the user is unresponsive, even without a connection to cellular or Wi-Fi. Garmin’s satellite communication devices, such as the SPOT Gen4, SPOT X, inReach Mini 2, ZOLEO, and Somewear Hotspot, all offer a similar feature by allowing users to activate SOS with a press of a button. The IERCC then receives a notification and communicates directly with the user through a text chain to gather more information about the situation, including severity, precise location (on a ridge, in a valley, etc.), and remaining battery life.
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