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I'm not exactly sure what point you're trying to make. However, as a member of one of those volunteer search and rescue teams, people absolutely do get themselv

by jonah 4y ago

I'm not exactly sure what point you're trying to make. However, as a member of one of those volunteer search and rescue teams, people absolutely do get themselves into trouble and need help whether it's through being unprepared or injury or etc. If someone is able to call for help when they need it using their cell phone or one of the various satellite based systems - PLB, inReach, the new iPhone or StarLink capabilities, etc. - then we are able to go directly to them and render the necessary aid. That is a rescue. The alternative is their spouse or friend or someone noticing that they haven't returned by the expected time and they then report the person missing. Hopefully the missing person has told someone where they were going and their intended route, but in any case, this becomes a search and we first have to find the person before being able to help them and this can add hours or days to the operation. Depending on the condition of the person that at a time can greatly affect the outcome. In this regard, broader access to communication outside of cell phone coverage is a huge benefit. Now, this isn't discussing whether people are more likely to push themselves further or do things they're not capable of or adventure alone or go out insufficiently prepared if they feel they can just push a button and get rescued if anything happens. that broader question is an important one but for the individual person being able to communicate can absolutely make a difference in whether you survive or not.

ghaff 4y ago
Your last point is pretty much the one I was trying poorly to make. Individually, cell phones are a safety feature [1] even if they lead some people to think too much in terms of make a call and someone will zip up the mountain and help them down. [1] In fact, I'd argue that while over-reliance on electronics generally is a poor practice, a cell phone (along with external battery pack) should probably be considered essential safety equipment in most circumstances.
- jonah 4y ago
  Your point about the external battery pack is a good one. Even if you have cell coverage, your phone will do you no good if it's out of battery. "Phone about to die" is a common refrain we hear. You're likely at the edge of coverage and so your phone is using high power and constantly searching for towers and been out longer than you were expecting and now it's dark and you're using your phone as a flashlight..
  - ghaff 4y ago
    >and you're using your phone as a flashlight And they've probably been using it as a GPS all day which can come pretty close to draining the battery all by itself. Modern smartphones are pretty wonderful but it's easy to put all your eggs in that one basket and have no realistic fallback.

by jonah 4y ago

ghaff 4y ago

Your last point is pretty much the one I was trying poorly to make. Individually, cell phones are a safety feature [1] even if they lead some people to think too much in terms of make a call and someone will zip up the mountain and help them down. [1] In fact, I'd argue that while over-reliance on electronics generally is a poor practice, a cell phone (along with external battery pack) should probably be considered essential safety equipment in most circumstances.

jonah 4y ago
Your point about the external battery pack is a good one. Even if you have cell coverage, your phone will do you no good if it's out of battery. "Phone about to die" is a common refrain we hear. You're likely at the edge of coverage and so your phone is using high power and constantly searching for towers and been out longer than you were expecting and now it's dark and you're using your phone as a flashlight..
- ghaff 4y ago
  >and you're using your phone as a flashlight And they've probably been using it as a GPS all day which can come pretty close to draining the battery all by itself. Modern smartphones are pretty wonderful but it's easy to put all your eggs in that one basket and have no realistic fallback.