Today's Water Rescue ...

[aspeck]

Boat 65-1 was called for a search and rescue along the banks of Lake Raystown today. The caller was an Apple phone SOS message. Dispatch could not establish contact with the phone/caller and when they texted the number received a winking emoji in return. The Ranger boat and 2 Water Rescue boats were dispatched to the scene and a search ensued from land and water. It was ascertained that the cell phone owner was a 78 year old male.

I got a nice boat ride out of the whole deal. Our boat worked flawlessly and it was a beautiful day on the lake. Oh, the phone caller ... upon making contact with one of the boats that was fishing along the shore, we learned the phone was dropped into the water at a depth more than the older gentleman cared to try to retrieve it. Apparently the phone, realizing it was drowning, automatically dialed 911. We do not understand where the winking emoji came from! LOL! A successful search and rescue (well, for the gentleman, but not the phone) and a nice boat ride ... 2 birds with one stone ...

 

[jlh3rd]

lol...heading to raystown next friday

 

[aspeck]

lol...heading to raystown next friday

Don’t drop your phone in the water!

 

[FLATHEAD]

Interesting. I wonder if that is a default feature on all iPhones now? I could see where that could be problematic on a couple different levels. One being a rescue team being dispatched for no reason, another being the phone owner being billed by the rescue people. Around here they would send you a bill.
I spend enough time on the water I’d like to turn that off , if I have it.

 

[dingbat]

Interesting. I wonder if that is a default feature on all iPhones now?

How to Set Up and Use the Emergency SOS Feature on an iPhone

It's better to be safe than sorry. In case of an accident or emergency, you'll be glad you know how to use the Emergency SOS iPhone feature.

www.rd.com

 

[tphoyt]

I guess it could be helpful if it was in your pocket. It’s a double edged sword.

 

[aspeck]

We get a lot of automatic notifications of accidents from phones. The standard procedure is when an automatic SOS call comes in, Dispatch will call the number back and also text the number back. If no response, we are dispatched to the scene. We get dispatched to falls and auto accidents because a phone says it happened. Here is a recent dispatch like that:

INC TYPE: MVC - UNKNOWN
ADDRESS: 10258 MOUNTAIN RD, BRADY TWP
:
X-STREET: SAND PLANT RD / FINKLES LN, RITTER RD
40.4328374004009 -77.9189494758287
BOX#: HN-Mill Creek 20-5
UNITS: HNE2, HNR65, HNSTA20, HNBLS506, HNSTA500, HNPSP1
IPHONE CRASH WITH NO VOICE

I have fallen twice in the woods where my Apple Watch will say, “It looks like you have had a hard fall. Would you like me to call 911.” Talk about adding insult to injury … lol. I need to respond to the phone/watch or it will call.

 

[aspeck]

another being the phone owner being billed by the rescue people. Around here they would send you a bill.

We do not charge for services rendered. We have discussed billing insurance companies and taking what they pay only, or billing people from out of our coverage area. But as of now, our company does not bill. Our municipalities give us some $ and the rest we fundraise with meals, hall rental, special events, and our biggest event is coming up soon (July) … a meal and raffle 90 plus guns or cash and 7 cash prizes with the top cash prize being $20000! You don’t need to be present to win, but if you come to the event and enjoy the meal you will have lots of opportunities to purchase 50/50 tickets, rip tickets, and other games of chance. There are more guns to be won at the event plus a myriad of other prizes. It is a fun afternoon and the fire department makes around $100,000 if the weather cooperates.

 

[FLATHEAD]

We get a lot of automatic notifications of accidents from phones. The standard procedure is when an automatic SOS call comes in, Dispatch will call the number back and also text the number back. If no response, we are dispatched to the scene. We get dispatched to falls and auto accidents because a phone says it happened. Here is a recent dispatch like that:


I have fallen twice in the woods where my Apple Watch will say, “It looks like you have had a hard fall. Would you like me to call 911.” Talk about adding insult to injury … lol. I need to respond to the phone/watch or it will call.

Yes I have had that happen to me as well. Mostly when I use my fist as a hammer