Hopefully Lesson Learnt To Take A Phone

[nickyboy]

This is like I'm having a chat with my Dad. He was always a "why change things if they've worked ok in the past". I'm a "if I can improve things then I will do".

Sure, I could go out with a paper map and no mobile phone or Garmin. If I got lost I could navigate using the map. If I had a mechanical I could walk to a train station I guess (could be a 10 mile walk mind you). Have to take the shoes off and walk in my socks but I guess it's doable. If I had an accident and it wasn't too bad I could walk or maybe flag down a passing car. Hopefully if I had a nasty accident someone would see me whilst passing and help me.

Or, I could get my garmin to navigate the route for me. And any problems I could call someone to pick me up, be that family/friend or emergency services.

 

[ufkacbln]

3) Program someone into your phone as your “ICE” person (in case of emergency). Should you be unconscious, the emergency services should look in your phone for a person to contact and are advised to look for “ICE” (obviously this wont work if you have a passcode).
ICE- on android phones go to 'Settings' - 'Security' , then 'owner info' . Add ICE number and name and it will scroll across your locked screen.
4) Consider something like this http://www.theidbandco.com/Helmet-ID-System-with-Card-2317

The emergency services are NOT trained to look at a phone for contacts, that is simply an urban myth

 

[NorvernRob]

Sometimes having a working method of communication is pointless, because the person at the other end simply doesn't listen.
I've already pointed out that I often ride in areas WITHOUT A MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL. There have never been any phone boxes in these areas either. Did no one ride a bike before mobile phones were invented? If I have a mechanical I fix it. If I couldn't fix it I'd just have to walk.

How do you know there's no signal?

Tbh I don't see any good argument NOT to take a phone. Just keep it turned off if you don't want bothering, then it might as well not be there - but it might come in really handy.

 

[Mr Celine]

How do you know there's no signal?

I do home visits for work reasons and often have to make phone calls on behalf of clients. I have a mobile provided by my employer, but lots of places are completely dead for mobiles or will only work with one network and not others.

 

[snorri]

Must admit my views are partly formed from coming across two cyclists broken down at the roadside quite recently. On offering assistance they tell me they have a puncture and are a few miles from home but "It's ok I've phoned the wife, she'll be along shortly".
Blinking heck, don't wives have anything better to do nowadays than look after pathetic husbands?

 

[Dogtrousers]

The emergency services are NOT trained to look at a phone for contacts, that is simply an urban myth

And anyway ... even if they were, and even if I had programmed ICE in ... my phone (and very many other people's) would be locked and would allow only emergency calls anyway.

I always carry my phone wherever I am anyway. It's none of my business whether others do.

 

[gam001]

So, for the sake of carrying something that weighs 100g and can fit in your back pocket, you'd rather rely on the luck of flagging down a passing motorist who you then expect to (a) allow you to use their phone, (b) fit you (perhaps slightly bloody or dirty) and your bike to a location of your choice or (c) bum you.

Sounds a sensible reason not to carry a 100g phone.

Haha - I nearly choked on my baguette as I read option (c)
(No euphemism intended for those who find option (c) funny )

 

[Kookas]

Haha - I nearly choked on my baguette as I read option (c)
(No euphemism intended for those who find option (c) funny )

I can't think of any meaning for that besides the euphemistic one.

 

[fossyant]

I only take mine to inform my wife I'll be late back. It's handy for that when you add on extra miles. I've only used it 'properly' once when I exploded a rim on the way home from work - I'd gone the long way, and was about as far away as I could be on the route.

 

[hobbitonabike]

No, it's a feature of my Samsung S4.
I also put a wallpaper on my phone which I made using the notes function, and lists my emergency contact and allergies.
That way someone could look at it and get the info without having to access my phone.
Edited to add that they would also find a contact number on my helmet sticker

I have an s4 mini...I wonder if it has this function?? Could you tell me what it's called please? I will have a hunt round.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I have an s4 mini...I wonder if it has this function?? Could you tell me what it's called please? I will have a hunt round.

Look in Settings>MyDevice>Safety Assistance

 

[hobbitonabike]

Look in Settings>MyDevice>Safety Assistance

Thanks ScotiaLass

 

[hobbitonabike]

Yep it's there!! Will get that set up!! Thanks for the heads up on that one

 

[jefmcg]

No, it's a feature of my Samsung S4.
I also put a wallpaper on my phone which I made using the notes function, and lists my emergency contact and allergies.
That way someone could look at it and get the info without having to access my phone.
Edited to add that they would also find a contact number on my helmet sticker

If something exists in the world of mobile phones, there will be apps that copy it. A quick google found several, here's two that a similar, without the photo function:
Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.becemergencysms.smsalerts
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/send-help-emergency-sos-panic/id517707164?mt=8 (does twitter and facebook updates as well!!!!)

 

[jefmcg]

I always carry a mobile; but really, how remote can you be in most of the UK? There's usually people about, a village with a Londis a few miles away, and a hotel/b&b/train station. If you are prepared to walk a few miles, you can get out of most trouble.

I think they are more useful for the first part of this equation: finding separated ride partners.