Cell Phone tip while hiking.

[QX]

I was recently chatting with folks from the local Search & Rescue
team.
They recommend starting out your wilderness hikes with a full charge,
and then turning off cell phones as soon as you reach the trailhead or
leave the service area.
Why?
While you are in a digital service area, your phone uses very little
battery power staying in contact with the network. As soon as you go
out of range, you phone is still trying frantically to establish
contact with the network, probably in analog mode. This uses
substantially more battery power than when it's in a digital service
area.
They advise to turn off the phones, and in case of an emergency, THEN
turn it back on and try to call for help. You will have a relatively
full battery charge.
Another tip. Even if you have unusable service, try texting all the
details of your emergency situation to a friend, and have then call
S&R out for you. Sometimes a text (burst) transmission has a better
chance of getting through.

[Tony S.]

"QX" <nom...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:inchc558tona902p8...@4ax.com...

Many cellphones have a mode which will turn off the phone service but
will leave the phone usable for other things, such as taking photos. On
my phone, this is called 'standalone mode'. When I hike or am in an area
where there's no signal, I put it in this mode so I can still use other
features. I also carry an extra battery for the cellphone when hiking.

-Tony

[Jim Janney]

QX <nom...@nospam.com> writes:

Wouldn't it be better if S&R could accept text messages directly?
Just a thought.

--
Jim Janney

[QX]

I asked about that, and at least here Las Vegas NV, all calls are
routed through the 911 center. From there they notify the S&R
personnel. I should have said text a friend and have them call 911 and
pass along the details.