[LPguy]

Hi all,

I just had a thought while posting in another thread. I don't know if this topic has been explored before or not.

During my Loss Prevention days I used my cell phone many, many times to call the cavalry to help catch an escaped shoplifter. My cell still has all the emergency numbers I need on one touch and some are on voice recall. Around here 911 will get you the state police who will immediately connect you to the local department wherever you are.

Any thoughts on cell phones as a defensive tool?

Mike

 

[Euclidean]

As a way to deal with emergencies, sure it's a godsend. It really is a self defense tool.

However I would certainly not want it to be my only self defense tool, and I personally have lived for over 20 years without one. I'd rather have my knife, flashlight, money, pistol and multitool, etc. and no cell phone than have my cell phone.

The cell phone is wonderful and people should view it as another tool, but the problem is the sheeple get the idea that the phone is all that is necessary and the Brady Bunch spreads this lie in turn.

"You don't need a gun/light/first aid kit, just call 9-1-1, they'll get to you in about an hour assuming you have the signal strength to get through and the time to dial..."

 

[P95Carry]

Know what?

50% of the reason I carry a cell is in case I need to call in for someone else!! I hate the thought of coming across a wreck for instance - or maybe witnessing something bad going down - and having no means to summon assistance.

 

[QKShooter]

Don't Leave Home Without One.
They are a great tool to have.
I've had one since all the way back when they weighed about 2.5 pounds! :biggrin:

 

[P95Carry]

when they weighed about 2.5 pounds!

Haha - sure my first one weighed twice that. It was worse on my belt than the darned SIG! :biggrin:



`

 

[rocky]

I always try to carry mine. Already got me help when the truck broke down out of town.

 

[ManChicken]

I've been a "cell phone resister" for a long time, mostly because I object to how the public at large chooses to use them (just today I was standing in line at Subway and some self-important man gets in line behind me and begins having a 'Push To Talk' conversation with his office, the freaking thing at full volume echoing through the store, as he yells back... arrrggghhhh).

Anyway, after getting my CCW permit, it was just sort of part of the gear that I felt had to be on my belt, to be responsible. God for bid if it ever comes to having to defend myself, I want to be the first one on the phone to the police.

 

[rstickle]

Got the first one when Sprint came out with the digital system, it was just for emergencies. Over the years the use has increased, like using it for a lot of the long distance calling since we're paying for the minutes whether we use them or not.

 

[firefighter4884]

I fall in with Chris on this one...my cell phone was orginally designed as a system to let me alert people to emergencies, or if something unexpected came up.

Now, I use it for everything from routine calls, to calling in motor vehicle accidents I come across.

It's also my primary POC because I'm a college kid and having it allows everyone to get me at one number.

 

[Trader]

An EMT friend suggested - Enter the name ICE into your cell phone contact listing. The name ICE stands for, In Case of Emergency. In your ICE contact, list the phone numbers and or names of those you want contacted should you become injured or found unresponsive. Not a bad idea.

 

[LPguy]

I'm glad to see so many ppl are utilizing cell phones as part of their "daily carry" equipment!

Personally I put an "AA" in front of my most important "scroll numbers" that way they are always at the top. I limit this feature to a select few. When you are under adrenaline stress. Fine motor skills( including memory ) go right out the window. Best to limit it to 3. This way in every day use your mind sees those 3 and will lock onto them in an emergency. It's worked for me.

Mike

 

[P95Carry]

Mike - good notion re ''AA'' prefix - I think I will implement that too! :smile:

 

[Bud White]

I always carry a cell phone and most of the time 2 mine and the companys so im almost never with out one

 

[SARR001]

I'm in the same boat as Bud. Personal phone and the company one always on my belt. Would never be the only line of defense, but it's good to have one.

 

[glock21guy]

I have read more than one source that the first person calling 911 or the local police is considered the victim. Take for example you are walking out to your car, and are accosted by a BG. Just seeing your firearm is enough to drive off the person. You think nothing of it, and go about your business. The BG dumps his weapon, and call the police stating you threatened him with you firearm. Give them your description, and the police find you. Now your are the BG because you did not report the incident. Is this wrong, you bet ya! In the long run you may be vindicated but it could be a bumpy road.

So any time you must draw your firearm, or show it. The first thing you do after it is safe, is call 911. It is a waste of police recourses, in my example, to call 911 but you must CYA in todays world.

 

[Zach S]

I hate mine. The last one I had, I was about 17, I got mad at it, and it found itself at the bottom of Cane River...

Didnt have another one until earlier this month. If I got my messages or didnt have to fight a 12 year old girl, 15 year old guy, or a 17 year old guy to use the phone at home, I probably wouldn't have.

 

[madmike]

I've carried a cell phone for quite a few years. I HATE them, but I carry them.

I do love being able to get help for someone who really needs it and I've done so many times. I also confess to have enjoyed being able to alert the FHP about a drunk driver swerving from lane-to-lane in front of me. I stayed behind him and in contact with the dispatcher until the trooper showed up to make the stop.

My CC app was mailed off just a few days ago. While I'm waiting, I've started getting used to carrying the cell phone @ 11 o'clock, instead of @ 3:30 where the G23 will be riding.

I don't want to accidently "flash" when I pull the phone. Nor do I wish to inadvertantly try to "stop the GB" with my phone, instead of my GLOCK. :redface:

One thing I'd forgotten to do (and will correct after posting this,) is to program the Voice Dial feature to automatically dial 911 when I tell it to.

mm

 

[gregarat]

I wish I could aford to "loose" mine:wink: . I see it as an invisable leash that my bosses can bother me when Im buisy.
I do like the fact that I can get ahold of someone when I need to, pluse the G.P.S. locator in modern digital cells are a great if trouble does happen.
I was given a new one with a raidio attached, I do like that.

 

[grnzbra]

Cell phones. AAArgh!

Had a nice one. Say "Send Help" and a 911 call goes out. If I say my local department, a call goes there (the 911 calls are taken at a center two towns away, so I call the locals direct)

At the end of our 2 year agreement (a warm and fuzzy word for contract) we could get new phones. So my wife opted for a pair of the ones that Verizon is advertising heavily these days. Well, I found that some fool "improved" things by setting the whole menu up for voice dialing. So, to make a call, the first thing you must do is wait for the phone to ask, "what would you like to do?". Then you must say, "Call someone". Then you must wait for the phone to say "Name please". Then you can say, "Send help"

AAArgh!:hand1:

Ah, but it does have a built in camera. We must prioritize.

 

[cmidkiff]

Bought my first cell 8 years back, for my wife. A young woman with a POS minivan full of kids, seemed like a good idea.

I now have 4, mine, wife's, and oldest two daughters. If they're going to leave home without me, I want them to have a cell phone.

As Euc said, it's not my only defensive tool, and if I were limited to only one defensive tool, the phone wouldn't be it. Glad I don't have to make that choice.