The shaky voice on the other side of the phone was that of a middle-aged lady from a quiet, suburban neighbourhood. It was 22:06, she was holed up in her cupboard, her trembling hands fumbling in the dark as she pressed her mobile panic button.
Her silent plea for help was immediately received by her service provider, and a calm, measured voice spoke to her briefly, efficiently confirming her location and her situation. Within minutes the blinds lit up with the flashing blue lights of the police and the local security company, along with the headlights of the responsive neighbourhood watch team.
The four armed men who were trying to gain access to her home disappeared into the dark, but she was safe… shaken, but unharmed.
How Essential Are Mobile Panic Buttons?
Necessity is the mother of invention.
And as we know, where there is a need there’ll be people there to fill it. This need comes in the form of domestic violence, medical emergencies, hijacking, road accidents, falls and accidents at home, and home invasions.
You’ll agree that a mobile panic button is more of a necessity than a nice-to-have, and thankfully we have a number of choices available to us in this regard.
We all like to think that the worst will never happen to us. And of course, if we didn’t then we’d live our lives in perpetual fear which is, you must admit, a pretty miserable way to exist.
So, we need to plan for the worst and be prepared for any eventuality. And it this exact reason that makes mobile panic apps such a brilliant idea.
Plan to Panic
We may go our whole lives without being hijacked, but we may witness some serious road rage. We may never have to deal with a loved one who is suffering from a heart attack, but we may have late night intruders in our garden.
Mobile panic buttons make the decisions for you when you’re in a dire situation in which you just don’t know what to do. Simply open the app on your phone and either select the emergency or just hit “panic.” The software does the rest for you.
Medical Assistance
Depending on your choice of provider, medical assistance is dispatched (ER24 is a trusted choice) and this option grants you access to trained personnel, emergency response, ambulance services, and trauma counselling. In the event of a car accident, heart attack, home accident or act of violence you want someone on the scene who knows what they’re doing.
Roadside Assistance
There’s never a good time to break down, but when you’re alone or in a dangerous area (which can be anywhere when night falls!) you need access to the closest assistance in the shortest time. Who do you call? Your panic button ensures that the services nearest to your current location are dispatched with clear directions as to exactly where you are. The operators manning the control room are carefully selected and trained to offer you the best advice in your situation.
Crime & Violence
When we are under the threat of violence, or we witness it ourselves, it’s hard to know what to do. Situations get out of control quickly and one wrong move can see you badly hurt, or worse.
If we are subject to a home invasion, hijacking or even an intruder at or place of work it’s reassuring to know that just a touch of a button will alert the local police, neighbourhood watch personnel, and security companies all at once.
If we witness a violent incident, we’re advised not to get involved (unless we are trained to) and to call for help. The same quick response will apply, and we have the knowledge that we helped a stranger in their time of need.
Multitasking Mobile Panic Apps
Not only will your mobile panic button connect you immediately to a network of first-responders for the fastest possible reaction, but they can also contact your circle of friends if necessary.
Some mobile apps have the facility for you to load the names and contact details of people who can (and should) be contacted in an emergency. Some may be close enough to help, may know about any allergies or special needs that you have, or may be able to assist with other personal information if you can’t speak for yourself.
And if you can’t speak for yourself, that’s not a problem. Once you activate your panic button, your location is quickly triangulated by making use of location-based tracking services or GPS.
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to worry about a mobile panic button. But we’re not quite there yet – globally these panic systems are growing to fill the inherent need to keep us as safe as we can be.
If you would like to know more about MiAssist, Cellfind’s mobile panic app please call us or visit our website.
