Calling 911 from Your Cell Phone

There are so many cell phones out there these days, it makes it very easy to call 911 for many reasons. There are still numerous places in the United States, probably in your own community, where 911 operators are unable to track your call to a location when you really need help. It is extremely important to keep this in mind when calling 911 from a cell phone in an emergency.

It is important to know where the emergency is, and to make sure the 911 operator is given the correct location. It is also important to tell the 911 operator what type of emergency it is, so they can send the correct personnel and equipment to best assist in the emergency. They will also need to verify the cell phone number you are calling from and be told if the number cannot be called back if the connection is lost.

There are thousands of people that carry cell phones that can only call 911. These phones cannot receive incoming calls, so the caller needs to make sure the information is correct before terminating the call with the 911 operator. This can happen inadvertently if you are calling and traveling at the same time. The chances that you'll be connected to the same 911 center, let alone the same 911 operator are slim when trying to call back. The chance that you can be located after being disconnected if you have not given a location is also slim.

Most callers, in a true emergency, do not listen to which department they have connected with, they just hear "911 where (or what) is your emergency," and do not focus on anything else. They know that they have made contact with someone from 911 and will get help. The time delay without the correct information given to the 911 dispatcher can literally be the difference between life and death.

You need to be aware of where you are when you call 911. If you are traveling, you need to be able to give the direction of travel and the road you are on. Try to look for landmarks, like the exit number on the interstate, the McDonalds by the Shell station on whatever road it is your are on in the City or Town you are traveling in, or the mile post marker or crossroad on the road you are driving on.

If you are camping, hunting or hiking, be sure you know where you started and a general direction of travel or the trail you that you took. The faster emergency help can arrive, the better the chances are for survival. You should also stay on the phone as long as possible and ask for pre-arrival instructions for the injured if you need them. Most 911 operators are trained to talk you through basic first aid assistance and CPR.

Most people do not realize the problems there can be with calling 911 from a cell phone. By keeping these facts in mind, you may one day save the life of a friend, a stranger or a loved one.