Emergency Communications - Lesson 1 - Emergency Communication from Your Smartphone; Using What You Have
When you’re outside of cell coverage, newer smartphones can now connect to satellites in certain emergency situations. This is a major step forward in personal safety and preparedness.
Satellite Connectivity on Smartphones
Apple iPhones (iPhone 14 and later)
Feature: Emergency SOS via satellite
Use: Send text messages to emergency services when you’re out of cell and Wi-Fi range.
How it works: You’re guided to point your phone toward a satellite. You answer prompts, and Apple relays your message to emergency responders.
Android Devices
Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro: Satellite SOS features are being rolled out.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Expected to integrate satellite messaging in certain regions.
Motorola Defy Satellite Link: A Bluetooth accessory that enables satellite messaging via the Bullitt Satellite Messenger app on any smartphone.
Limitations of Smartphone Satellite Connectivity (Applies to Both iPhone and Android):
Emergency-Only Use: Most satellite features currently available on smartphones are designed strictly for emergency communication, not for general messaging or phone calls. This applies to:
Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite
Google’s Pixel Satellite SOS
Samsung and other Androids are adopting similar features
Text-Only Communication: Communication is limited to text-based messages with emergency services. You cannot place voice calls or send messages to regular contacts via satellite yet.
Requires Line-of-Sight: Your phone must have a clear view of the sky to connect to a satellite. Dense tree cover, canyons, heavy cloud cover, or buildings can interfere.
Slower Transmission Speeds: Satellite messaging is slower than cellular, often taking several seconds to a minute per message, especially if the satellite is not in immediate view.
Regional Availability: These features are only available in certain countries and regions. For example, Apple’s service is currently supported in the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe. Android satellite rollout is also region-dependent.
Battery Drain: Prolonged satellite connection attempts can drain your battery faster, especially when the phone struggles to find a satellite.
Pre-Configured Prompts: Instead of open-ended messages, some systems (like Apple’s) use guided prompts and canned replies to speed up communication.
Note: While current satellite connectivity is limited to emergency text messages, the technology is rapidly evolving. Future updates are expected to enable two-way messaging with personal contacts, broader coverage areas, and eventually voice capabilities on both iPhone and Android platforms.
Can You Text 911?
In many U.S. regions, you can text 911 directly, but it’s important to understand how it works and what to expect.
How to Text 911:
Open your phone’s messaging app
Enter "911" in the recipient field
In your first message, clearly state:
The nature of your emergency
Your exact location (address, coordinates, mile marker, landmarks)
Respond quickly to follow-up questions
Key Notes:
No app or emergency setting is needed
Texting is for when you can’t call safely
You need cellular service- texting to 911 does not work over Wi-Fi alone
Not supported everywhere - you’ll get a bounce-back message if unavailable
Can 911 Track Your Location?
Not reliably. While voice calls may use enhanced 911 (E911) to share your location. Text messages do not consistently transmit GPS data.
That’s why you must include your location in your first text. If you don’t know where you are: Look for intersections, business names, distinctive landmarks or mile markers:
Use your phone’s map or GPS app to find coordinates
Describe nearby landmarks or directions
Preparedness Tip
Whether using cellular networks or satellite connectivity, knowing your exact location is the most important information you can give in an emergency. Practice identifying your location often, especially when hiking, traveling, or visiting unfamiliar areas.
A Special Note about Smart Phones:
The Dangers of Smartphones for Children And A Safer Alternative
While smartphones offer convenience and connectivity, they also pose serious risks, especially for children and teens. Unrestricted access to the internet, social media, and messaging apps can expose young users to cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content far earlier than many parents realize.
Social media platforms, in particular, can fuel anxiety, poor self-esteem, and constant comparison, while also opening the door to harmful trends, grooming, and exploitation. Even with parental controls, many apps are designed to keep kids engaged and hidden features or alternate accounts (known as “Finstas”) often bypass basic oversight.
A Safer Alternative: The Bark Phone
The Bark Phone is a smartphone designed specifically for children with built-in monitoring, time limits, and content filtering. It gives parents meaningful oversight while still allowing kids to stay connected and develop digital responsibility.
Features include:
Text and app monitoring with alerts for concerning behavior
Call, text, and app permissions tailored by the parent
No workarounds; kids can’t delete the Bark app or disable monitoring
Location tracking and screen time limits
Based on a Samsung phone, so it still looks and functions like a “real” device
For families who want the benefits of communication without the full risk of an unfiltered smartphone, the Bark Phone offers a practical, safer solution.
Starlink: A Satellite Internet Option for Home and Mobile Use
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, is a high-speed satellite internet service powered by a growing constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It offers a unique advantage for both home preparedness and mobile connectivity, especially in areas where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or unreliable.
Unlike older satellite systems, Starlink provides significantly faster speeds and lower latency, making it capable of supporting video calls, internet browsing, remote work, and even Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service.
For Home Use
Starlink is a game-changer for rural homes or off-grid properties where fiber or cable internet isn't available. It can serve as your primary internet connection or as a resilient backup system in case of infrastructure failure.
For Mobile Use
With Starlink Roam (formerly Starlink RV), you can take your internet with you on the road. This makes it an ideal solution for:
Road trips and overlanding
Remote work in national parks or rural areas
Emergency field operations
Off-grid living setups
Starlink in a Grid-Down Scenario
While Starlink itself doesn’t rely on local infrastructure (like cell towers or telephone lines), it still requires electricity to function. In a grid-down situation, you’ll need a reliable backup power source such as:
A solar generator
Inverter and battery bank
Fuel-powered generator
For a full break down on “Backup Power” See our section Alternative Power Options
With power provided, Starlink becomes an independent, off-grid communications lifeline, allowing you to:
Access emergency alerts and weather updates
Communicate via email, VoIP, or video
Coordinate logistics with family, responders, or community members
