Here's how to turn your old smart phone into a potentially life-savingdevice

Ezra Boyd----If you do not know it already, at very least take note of the fact that you can make 911 calls on nearly all modern phones regardless of whether that phone is connected to an a active service plan.  If the phone can connect to the cell networks, that’s all you need to make an emergency call.  But, if you read on, you will see there are many potential life saving functions that your old smart phone could fulfill.  In fact, some apps can help you get out of a bind without even when your stuck in a remote location without a data connection.  With the offline apps described below, an old smart phone left in your glove box or backpack or tackle box could be the one tool that helps you get out a dangerous, life threatening situation.

There are a number of apps that provide various functions useful in a personal emergency without needing a data connection.  Probably one of the most important functions to finding your way out of a difficult situation is knowing and mapping your location.  Most Androids and iPhones have excellent GPS capabilities, but the standard apps either require an active data connection or do not give the user straightforward control over offline maps.

Figure 1: Screenshot of the OSMAnd location map using offline maps that I had previously saved to my device. It looks like I got off the hiking trail (the dashed line) at some point, but if I
keep walking forward I will be back on it in about 500 ft.

 However, a great little app calledOSMAnd Maps and Navigationprovides superb GPS functions and easy to use offline maps.  In fact, it was this app, my old phone, and my girlfriend’s glove compartment that got me thinking and eventually inspired this article.  It is an excellent and powerful app.  If you have not installed it yet, I hope you do soon.  And, make sure to go ahead and download the offline maps for the states that you frequent the most.  The free version of the app lets you download and save for offline use the Open Street Maps for up to 10 states.  Based on user submitted data, Open Street Maps includes decent (but improving) coverage of hiking trails, and so it certainly has place in any hiker’s emergency kit.  By the way, if you want to help build Open Street Maps coverage OSMAnd makes it easy to contribute your GPS tracks to Open Street Maps.

Figure 2: OSMAnd Screenshot of the coordinates for my current location.

Beyond knowing your location, your particular emergency may require skills specific to that situation.  Because you cannot remember all the emergency guidebooks out there, it is a good thing that are tons of offline apps for that.

For some reason, the Army Survival Guide app was actually one of the first apps that I remember installing when I got my first Android a few years ago.  (I guess I was looking for something exciting to read.)  This app, provided by third party app developer Appopus.com, reproduces the “U.S. Army Field Manual 3-05.70: Survival” and includes important survival skills such as shelter, fire, food, and water.

Figure 3: U.S. Army Survival Guide figure showing how the apply a pressure dressing to an
injury.
Figure 4: U.S. Army Survival Guide figure showing how to make a shelter in a desert location.
Figure 5: U.S. Army Survival Guide figures illustrating methods to use a signal mirror to help
search teams find you.



Figure 6: A partial list of emergencies included in the Red Cross First Aid app.

To go along with the survival guide, numerous developers provide first aid guides. We suggest the First Aid app published by the American Red Cross because of the agency’s professionalism and reliability.

These are just two of the free emergency guidebook apps that are available.  We could certainly list plenty more free and low cost apps that provide guides on various specific emergency skills.  If you spend just a few minutes thinking about your daily activities, the hazards of your activity zone, and the potential things that could go wrong, I’m sure you will find that there is an app to help you get through that situation.  And, don’t forget that the various ebook merchant apps (Google Play Bookstore, Amazon, Kindle, etc.) include access to numerous free and low cost guidebooks.

Many emergency situations require some type of measurement, but it’s hard to know exactly what measurements in advance.  Luckily, the app developer Smart Tools provides a whole host of free apps that add a various measurement tools to your old Android. Their tools include a compass, a ruler, distance measurement, a vibration meter and a protractor.  Many of their apps are free, a few cost $.99, and for $2.50 you can purchase their Smart Tools Package.

Figure 8: A simple protractor is one of many tool apps included in the Smart Tools app selection. These apps are free or low cost and you never know what one will help get you to safety.

Finally, we have to mention that there are plenty of flashlight apps with emergency lighting and sound capabilities.  If your emergency has left you immobilized and your search party is close, bright flashing lights and emergency sounds may be what gets you noticed.  You or your kids have probably played around with those already.  Just keep in mind that those functions could save your life one day.

Naturally, other useful apps provide additional emergency functions when you do have a data connection.  Also, you will need certain accessories, particularly power, to make the most out of your old phone turned emergency device.  We’ll look into these topics soon with separate posts.  In meantime, we want to hear back from you and if you have any experience or advice feel free to leave a comment below.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Ezra Boyd ,co-founder of DisasterMap.net, is a hazards geographer and disaster scientists who resides near New Orleans. He recently earned his PhD from Louisiana State University, and his dissertation presented a comprehensive assessment and analysis of deaths associated with Hurricane Katrina and the catastrophic failure of the Federal levee system for southeast Louisiana.  While at LSU, he participated in theTeam Louisiana report for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and co-authored the Health Care and Disaster Planning book for the Louisiana State Medical Society.  His research on the preparations, response, and impacts of Hurricane Katrina has been published in Risk Analysis, Public Performance and Management Review, andRisk, Hazards, and Crisis in Public Policy.