# Any emergency phone systems that can be reached from anywhere? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 6, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563 "2009-08-06T18:51:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/1 "2009-08-06T18:51:30Z")
An elderly friend recently passed out going to the mail box. Fortunately somebody was close by and got help. She has now recovered, but is interested in one of the emergency phone setups. My Googling came up with a huge number of hits. Most fall into two categories: 1. Those with a pendant that when pressed, has a live operator come on and the speaker phone is sensitive enough that a conversation can be held anywhere in the house. These all have a monthly fee of $30 or more. 2. The second type just lets a prerecorded message be made, and when the pendant is used to call for help, up to five neighbors or friends can be called automatically, and the message is sent to that phone. If the first number is busy or does not answer, it automatically dials the next and so forth. Obviously the friends have to be notified and given a key to the house so they can come to help if needed. No monthly fee is reqired. The trouble is, with both of these types, the pendant’s range to the home station is only 75-100 feet. I am wondering if there is any similar system but has a range that can be used anywhere. Obviously, the first thing I thought of was a cell phone where you could dial 911. Mine lets the #1 button be used for that if held down a couple of seconds, and I expect they all do. She does not have one and does not want one. Anybody had any experience with such a thing, or know of one? I don’t see how it would work, but my Kindle has a wireless system using EDVO with the Sprint network, so there is a slim possiblity such a system exists. If not, we will try to talk her into getting a cell phone small enough to keep with her all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/2 "2009-08-06T18:57:25Z")
A cellphone without a service plan (zero fee) is still capable of dialing 9-1-1. As long as she can keep it charged, that’s your cheapest option. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/3 "2009-08-06T19:34:02Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > A cellphone without a service plan (zero fee) is still capable of dialing 9-1-1. As long as she can keep it charged, that’s your cheapest option. Hmm, never knew there was such a thing. I’ll check it out, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/4 "2009-08-06T19:40:44Z")
Be aware though that if the phone has no plan I beleive they cannot be traces as accuratly as one with a plan ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/5 "2009-08-07T00:07:00Z")
[Jitterbug](http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/) used to make a cell phone that only had a couple of speed dial buttons on it and nothing else. They don’t seem to make it anymore. It looked like [this](http://www.20plus30.com/blog/uploaded_images/jitterbug-709324.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/6 "2009-08-07T00:35:06Z")
If you wanted something that really works everywhere on the surface of the Earth, you’d get an Iridium phone. And it’ll only cost you about $3,000 a month (based on the figures for the US DoD in the following article). > **[Iridium Communications | Present status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_Satellite_LLC#Present_status)** > > Iridium Satellite LLC merged with a special-purpose acquisition company (GHQ) created by the investment bank Greenhill & Co. in September 2009 to create Iridium Communications Inc. The public company trades on NASDAQ under the symbol "IRDM". The company surpassed one million subscribers in March 2018. Revenue for the full year 2018 was $523.0 million with operational EBITDA of $302.0 million, a 14% increase from $265.6 million in the prior year. > Iridium manages several operations centers, includ... ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/7 "2009-08-07T00:48:30Z")
You don’t need to do that - a locator beacon will work fine. They are available at any outdoor shop, will transmit to satellite and ground stations worldwide, require no subscription, and cost as little as $200. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/8 "2009-08-07T00:52:56Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > A cellphone without a service plan (zero fee) is still capable of dialing 9-1-1. As long as she can keep it charged, that’s your cheapest option. This is a good option, but older people often will be embarrased or reluctant to call 9-1-1. They’ll debate, "should I or shouldn’t I.’ So unless you’re sure your friend isn’t one who might do that, go with a cheap “pay as you go plan.” ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/9 "2009-08-07T00:54:39Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > You don’t need to do that - a locator beacon will work fine. They are available at any outdoor shop, will transmit to satellite and ground stations worldwide, require no subscription, and cost as little as $200. Their latency is rather poor, though - it can take up to 90 minutes for the signal to be detected. A cell phone with a pre-programmed emergency number seems like a better idea. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/10 "2009-08-07T02:21:05Z")
Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/11 "2009-08-07T02:44:04Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > If you wanted something that really works everywhere on the surface of the Earth, you’d get an Iridium phone. And it’ll only cost you about $3,000 a month (based on the figures for the US DoD in the following article). > > [Iridium Communications - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_Satellite_LLC#Present_status) Very poor comparison, as the DOD is getting unlimited access. Per-minute charges can range from $1-5 depending on plan, location and destination of the phone call. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/12 "2009-08-07T03:17:28Z")
The [SPOT satellite tracker](http://www.findmespot.com/en/) is a bit bigger than a cellphone, and costs around $150 (but a current promotion offers a significant rebate) plus $100/yr for service. It allows you to send an emergency message via satellite from anywhere; the message includes your position (lat/lon). For additional annual cost, it will track your position in real time (one report every 10 minutes). ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/13 "2009-08-07T03:52:45Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Obviously, the first thing I thought of was a cell phone where you could dial 911. Mine lets the #1 button be used for that if held down a couple of seconds, and I expect they all do. Are you sure that it’s holding down the “1” key that speed dials 911? In my experience (on North American phones), that’s usually pre-defined as whatever number you enter for voicemail, and it’s the “9” key that speed dials 911. The latter usually works even if the phone is locked. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/14 "2009-08-07T12:24:56Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > The [SPOT satellite tracker](http://www.findmespot.com/en/) is a bit bigger than a cellphone, and costs around $150 (but a current promotion offers a significant rebate) plus $100/yr for service. It allows you to send an emergency message via satellite from anywhere; the message includes your position (lat/lon). > > For additional annual cost, it will track your position in real time (one report every 10 minutes). that is cool! if you engage in activities where you might need this kind of device, this is literally a lifesaver. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/15 "2009-08-07T12:36:29Z")
It’s too bad it is so big; it would be terrific if it could be made into a medic alert-style bracelet for folks with dementia or similar illnesses where they tend to leave their homes. You so often hear of someone who’s gone missing from his assisted living or gotten in the car to go visit the grandchildren, only to veer horribly off course and be out of touch of days while the family is frantic. A tracker like this is, as **rbroome** says, a lifesaver. Make it smaller! ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-emergency-phone-systems-that-can-be-reached-from-anywhere/505563/16 "2009-08-07T14:41:58Z")
> [@Cerowyn](#): > > Are you sure that it’s holding down the “1” key that speed dials 911? In my experience (on North American phones), that’s usually pre-defined as whatever number you enter for voicemail, and it’s the “9” key that speed dials 911. The latter usually works even if the phone is locked. My old piece-of-sh-t cell phone (analog only) had “1” defined as a shortcut for 911 when I got it. I disabled that feature as soon as I found the instructions to do so. My current semi-decent cell phone does have “1” as a shortcut for voice-mail. Pretty sure it doesn’t have any shortcuts for 911, although as you said 911 works regardless of whether the phone is locked.