Maximizing Your Cell Phone as an Emergency Prepper
In today’s fast-paced world, our smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. However, they can also serve as essential tools in emergency preparedness. Maximizing your cell phone as an emergency prepper is important. Check out these tips to help you utilize your cell phone as much as possible during emergencies.
1. Emergency Contacts and Information
One of the most crucial aspects of emergency preparedness is having quick access to important contacts and information. Create a dedicated emergency contact list in your phone, including family members, close friends, and local emergency services. Save important medical information such as allergies, medications, and blood type for quick reference similar to a medical ID. 100 Items That Will Disappear After An Emergency
Even if you aren’t able to function well enough to operate your phone due to injury or mental distress, providing access to your phone’s information to first responders can make all the difference. With the current access options of thumbprint or face recognition, those responders can still get past the lock screen.
2. Emergency Apps
Take advantage of the numerous emergency apps available to enhance your preparedness. Apps like FEMA, Red Cross, and First Aid provide valuable information on disaster preparedness, real-time alerts, and even step-by-step guides for administering first aid from these health apps. Download and familiarize yourself with these apps to stay informed during critical situations. A World Without Technology: A Glimpse into the Unplugged Life
Whether at home, in your car, or at the office, hopefully, you have a first-aid kit handy for use by family members, co-workers, or neighbors until professional help arrives.
3. Offline Maps and Navigation
In emergency situations your iPhone or other communication device can do so much more than provide talk or text capabilities. Having access to maps and navigation can be vital. Ensure you have offline maps downloaded for your local area and any areas you frequently visit in case you lose cell service. Apps like Google Maps allow you to download maps for offline use, ensuring you can navigate even if you lose internet connectivity. Using Your Vehicle as a Tool for Prepping
It’s amazing the capabilities your phone has using cellular data when wifi service isn’t available. Yes, you may pay data rates in those situations, but who cares?!
4. Power Management
Preserving your phone’s battery life is crucial during emergencies when power sources may be limited. Invest in a portable power bank and keep it charged. Enable power-saving modes on your phone and close unnecessary background apps to extend battery life. Consider carrying a solar charger for an eco-friendly and sustainable power source. How To Use Solar To Boost Your Survival
There are settings on your phone that also help conserve battery power. The screen brightness setting is one where you can make the screen less bright, particularly at night when the screen stands out.
5. Emergency Communication
Stay connected with loved ones during emergencies through various communication channels. Apart from traditional calls and text messages or the use of satellite phones, explore messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram that can work over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Familiarize yourself with walkie-talkie apps that enable communication within a limited range without the need for cellular networks. Communication Options for Your Family During a Disaster
Most states have an emergency alert system so they can send out notifications with wireless emergency alerts like Amber alerts, missing persons, and natural disasters. You want to stay in touch when faced with an earthquake, wildfire, hurricane, severe storm, etc.
6. Emergency Documents and Cloud Storage
Scan and store essential documents such as identification, insurance papers, and important certificates in cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. In the event of an evacuation or loss of physical documents, you’ll have secure access to critical information from your electronic devices with an internet connection in case of emergency. How to Help Your Family Organize Important Documents
7. Weather Monitoring
Weather conditions can play a significant role in emergencies. Stay informed about weather forecasts and alerts using dedicated weather apps. Apps like AccuWeather and The Weather Channel provide real-time updates, ensuring you’re prepared for any sudden changes in weather that could impact your safety. How To Be Prepared For Extreme Cold Weather
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) also put out various weather alerts that you can sign up for and/or monitor during significant weather events.
8. DIY Emergency Kit Inventory
Use your phone to create and maintain an inventory of your emergency kit or go bag. Take photos of the contents, expiration dates of food and medications, and any other important details. This visual reference can help you quickly assess and replenish your emergency supplies as needed. How to Keep Track of Your Stockpile Inventory
9. Educational Resources
Utilize your phone as a valuable educational tool for emergency preparedness. Explore online resources, video tutorials, and podcasts that provide insights into survival skills, first aid techniques, and other essential knowledge. Having this information readily available can be invaluable in high-stress situations. 10 Crucial Insights into the Value of Money
More Tips
- Emergency Numbers You Need in Your Cell Phone
- How To Register Cell Phones For Survival
- Using Headphones for Prepping
Final Word
Incorporating your cell phone into your emergency preparedness plan can significantly enhance your ability to navigate and respond to unexpected situations. From communication and navigation to access to crucial information, your smartphone is a tool that, when used wisely, can be a lifeline during emergencies. May God Bless this World, Linda
Copyright Images: Cell Phones Smartphones Depositphotos_4586342_S By Scanrail, Cell Phones Smartphones Depositphotos_33780329_S By Lucadp
The app OnX is one off-roaders use that allows you to download maps for offline use to include routes.
The app Zello is a walkie talkie that uses internet signal rather than cell signal. When we have tornadoes the cells go down quickly on overload because folks start checking on one another. Zello will stay up. Often in places that lack cell signal I can get internet signal so it works.
HI Matt, thank for sharing these two choices. I need to sign up with Zello, you had told me about them one before. Now, I will look inot OnX as well, great tips, thank you! Linda
Matt, that tip about Zello is excellent. Thanks. But if we get hit with an EMP or Carrington Event the internet will go down as well as cell phones. HAM radio equipment with spares protected by a Faraday cage would likely still work–as many HAMS know how to fix downed repeater stations.
Hi Ray, yes, the cell towers would be down with an EMP or major power outage. Having a ham radio repeater would be awesome. Linda
I don’t trust the cloud so I don’t have anything stored there. However, for certain important “shots” of cards, documents, I take pictures and save them in my gallery. If I don’t have an insurance or ID card, I at least have a picture of it that shows my numbers, etc. I do acknowledge that it’s not necessarily “secure” but I’ve used those shots more than once. My husband is a Vietnam Vet and several stores will give me his military discount if I show them ID. Well, he isn’t always with me but I have a shot of his DD214 – with his social security number redacted. Works great!
Hi Robbie, great idea with your husbands DD214, with his SS redacted. A lot of stores and restaurants give discounts. I have the cloud but I doubt I’m using it correctly, LOL! I’m not sure anything is really secure, If banks and hospitals, and medical facilities can get hacked, what is secure? I love you tip about taking pictures of items you need and save them in your gallery. Good job, Linda
My neighbour’s iphone died completely the other day, would not start no matter what we tried. She was able to pull out her SIM card and put it into a spare iphone but all the contacts and other information from the old phone were missing. Luckily she had her contact information written down. It might be worth keeping your “old” phone as a spare if it’s still usable and make sure contacts on it are up to date.
HI Alice, good tip on the Iphone that died completely. I worry about losing my pictures more than anything. I agree having a written contact list in addition to the phone. When in doubt keep a spare or copy of everything! Linda
I was one of the ones who cell phone was out due to AT&T going down. I was out of a
cell phone for 5 hours, so glad I still have a landline for Emergency’s. I was able to call my brother because he also has a landline. Don’t think I will go totally cell.
Hi June, wow, 5 hours!! There were three companies, AT & T, T-Mobile, and Verizon that had a technical issue, interesting that it was on Super Tuesday, right? I’m glad you have your landline! Linda