The BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) says not to change your voicemail with your last remaining phone battery if yousa国际传媒檙e lost or stranded, but rather, call 911.
This is in response to a recent viral post circulating around the internet that encourages people to change their outgoing voicemail message if theysa国际传媒檙e in trouble.
The viral post goes something like this, sa国际传媒淚f yousa国际传媒檙e ever lost while hiking, get stranded with a broken down car, etc. here is a tip that may save your lifesa国际传媒� change the voicemail on your phone to a message that gives your approximate location, the time, date, situation and any special instructionssa国际传媒hat way if someone calls you that is the message they will hear.sa国际传媒�
Dwight Yochim, Senior Manager with BCSARA says while the viral post may have been well meaning, itsa国际传媒檚 not the best advice.
sa国际传媒淚f yousa国际传媒檙e stuck and your phone is about to die - call 911,sa国际传媒� Yochim said. sa国际传媒淔irst off, you need to be in cell service to be able to change your voicemail. And if yousa国际传媒檙e using your last call on your phone, that last call should be 911. Donsa国际传媒檛 waste time and battery power.sa国际传媒�
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Yochim says that when you call 911 and speak to the operator, you will essentially give them the exact information the viral post suggests. BC SAR has explained before that when your phone makes an emergency call it will connect with any cell tower in range, therefore a 911 call may go through even if you cansa国际传媒檛 get cell reception with your provider.
Yochim also recommends that anyone headed out on an outdoor adventure make a trip plan.
sa国际传媒淎 trip plan lets friends and loved ones know where yousa国际传媒檙e going, what time you expect to return, and also ensures the person headed out knows their travel route, knows the terrain and conditions, has an idea of what the weather will be,sa国际传媒� Yochim said. sa国际传媒淭he weather can change quickly, especially if yousa国际传媒檙e in the mountains at this time of year. It might be warm when you leave but by nightfall it could become quite cold. Do you have a change of warm clothes? Are you prepared to spend the night if you injure yourself or get lost?sa国际传媒�
He repeated what many BC SAR groups advocate for which is the - Trip Planning, Training and Taking the essentials.
BC Adventure Smart has a that allows users to make a trip plan and send it to a friend or family member. The app is available for free.
sa国际传媒淲hile that viral post had good intentions, itsa国际传媒檚 important to know to call 911,sa国际传媒� Yochim said. sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e just trying to keep people safe out there.sa国际传媒�
corey.bullock@cranbrooktownsman.com
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