Emergency Texting - Part 2

The previous post (http://www.securitydawg.com/2007/08/cell-phone-overload-during-emergencies.html) reminded us that sending text messages during emergencies (when there is heavy cell phone use) will get your message through faster than a voice call. This is because text messages are smaller and don't take up the bandwidth that a voice call makes.

We recommended that you learn how to send text messages on your cell phones, perhaps enlisting your children or one of the teenagers nearby to teach you how to send text messages.

Most phones have just a numeric keypad. Sending text with these phones requires pressing one key up to three times to select a letter. For instance, press the "2" key once for "A", twice for "B", three times for "C". Sending a detailed message will take quite a few keystrokes.

Of course, if you have a cell phone with an actual keyboard it's easier. But with standard cell phones (numeric keypads only), 'texting' is harder.

Some phones have some built-in text messages; and may allow you to create your own. That might be useful as you get more familiar with texting. And there's abbreviations you can use.

But I propose something quite simple. Start with some standard 3-digit codes. Here's some ideas; you can think of your own. Just make sure that your family knows what the codes mean. (And make sure that you are in text mode, not in phone mode.)

111 - All OK here
411 - Will call later with more info
911 - Emergency, meet at pre-arranged location (assuming that you have one)
511 - Stuck in traffic, all OK
777 - check in via the blog

Not very imaginative, but you get the idea.

That last one ('777') deserves an explanation, and a bit more planning. More about that in the next post.

Whatever technique and secret codes you use, spend a few minutes practicing. Remember that texting costs, so check out your calling plan. But if your family plans ahead, and if you take a few minutes practicing (there's nothing good on TV, so have a texting session), you'll be ready in case of an emergency.