Gps Saves Fishermen

[angelsmom10]

I don't have a link to the story, but on last nights news among all the high-lights of our bad weather and driving conditions.  I heard part of a story about some fishermen up on Lake Erie doing some ice fishing and the ice broke away.  They used their cell phone to call for help and with the help of their GPS, rescuers were able to locate them.

[birol]

One more reason to own one ! If only I had the money for it

I don't have a link to the story, but on last nights news among all the high-lights of our bad weather and driving conditions.  I heard part of a story about some fishermen up on Lake Erie doing some ice fishing and the ice broke away.  They used their cell phone to call for help and with the help of their GPS, rescuers were able to locate them.

[B-flat]

My cell phone is equipped with the tracking/positioning device.  A few months ago I was the 2nd car behind a man who was obviously having medical problems and he would not drive forward.  I jumped out and ran up to see what was happening.  I asked him if he was ok and he said I think I'm OK but in a lot of pain.  I said, where's your pain and he rubbed all across his chest.  I said is it ok to call 911 for you and he said yes.  When I got on the phone, I realized I did not know my exact location nor the street name....I could only tell the 911 folks the names of business on both sides of the street.  Then I stated that my cell phone has tracking set for emergencies only, and in a few seconds the dispatcher said, "OK, I've got it."  She said help was on the way and thanked me.  For 5 minutes after the call, the tracking device stays activated.  I am so glad I have that and it saved this man's life.  (Note: the woman in the car between me and the sick man was on her cell phone talking and didn't realize anything was wrong until I jumped out of my car!  She thought he was just waiting for traffic to clear at the intersection because we were at a stop sign.)  I have also heard of people being helped in threatening situations by using their cell phone and dialing 911, even when they were not able to speak into the phone.  

If you have a cell phone with tracking capability, be sure you have it set to deliver your location in emergencies.

[angelsmom10]

I don't know if I have it or not -- is there any way you can tell??

[NightOwl]

I don't know if I have it or not -- is there any way you can tell??

Nancy, my Verizon phone actually has the letters GPS at the back where the flip-top l;id is hinged.

[B-flat]

Check your manual that came with the phone.  Another was is to go into your set up.  If you have an older phone, it may not have the feature.  I have had this new one since around August of last year.  It's a Nokia with color screen.  You can get on the website for the manufacturer of your phone and email them to find out about the tracking, also.

[NightOwl]

I am sure that like B-Flat says, this feature should be explained in your manual.  If you have lost that, just call the local office of your cell carrier and describe your phone to them--model #, etc. (That info should be on your phone) They ought to be able to tell you.  

And as B-F says, it is something found on the newer models.  My Verizon color screen phone is exactly a year old and the phone I had before didnt have it.

(Also, several years ago, didnt law enforecement agencies ask for  a law or regulation requiring GPS  availability for cell systems after some tragedies where people on cells couldnt give their locations?)

[2manytoyz]

It's coming to a phone near you soon.  Here's the story: http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,80085,00.asp

[B-flat]

Yes, the FCC wants all cell phones to be 911 compliant as far as positioning location when the call is made......by 2005.

[Nick]

Yes, the FCC wants all cell phones to be 911 compliant as far as positioning location when the call is made......by 2005.

Oh boy, I can hear the conspiracy theorists already.

[B-flat]

Not to worry, Nick, with the phones you will have the option of settings for emergencies only or of being located at all times.  Mine is currently set for emergencies only which is all that is necessary.

[2manytoyz]

Boats and GPS...

Last Summer a number of us at work decided we'd all go to the USAF air show that weekend.  We all have boats, so we had planned on calling each other on the cell phone, and tying our boats together, share goodies, and watch the show.  That was the plan.

I have a pontoon boat, and I was a good distance away, so we were the last to arrive.  The closer we got, the more boats we saw in the river.  In fact, in my 20+ years in the area, I've never seen SO many boats.  I reached the first coworker, and he gave me his GPS coordinates.  Oops, nothing to write with.  My kids had a Magnadoodle onboard, so I used that!  I was then able to enter the coordinates, and immediately tell him how far away we were, and how long it was going to take to arrive, very slick.

As we got under half a mile, there seemed to be a million boats, all like what my coworker described his to look like.  Trust the GPS!  I slowly navigated around the sea of anchored boats.  The GPS reported we were getting very close.  Off in the distance, there he was, waving at us.  When I finally tied up, my GPS put us within about 30' of his coordinates given to us an hour before.  With the boat moving on its mooring, and us being next to him, that was about right.

Our other friend called us.  She didn't have a GPS.  She had a sailboat with a flag attached to the mast.  Yep, her and a million others.  Never did see them.  Guess what they're going to buy before we go on a journey together again?

I never go boating without my GPS.  I also never go camping without it either.