The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Defense and Tactics => Topic started by: Robin on January 02, 2009, 12:52:59 PM
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In some states, cell phone 911 calls go to Highway Patrol and can take several minutes before dispatch responds. Then there's added delay transferring you to local dispatch. An old cell phone may be the final backup in your safe room but it's better to have the local PD's emergency number (not "9-1-1") on speed dial on a land line or active cell instead.
It's good to have that local emergency number on your active cell in case you need quick response outside of your home as well.
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Remeber, not every locale is the same.
Our local 911 area goes to the county 911 center, so it's as fast as land-line 911.
Also, our 911 center handles 4 towns EMS, their PD's and county sheriff. The city PD we live in only answers calls from 8am to 5pm / Mon. to Fri. and doesn't do dispatching. So any other time it goes to the 911 center anyway. We always dail 911.
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Robin,
The key is to treat "911" as a generic number. Everyone needs to know the best way to call for help where ever they are and when ever they need it. Also, the phone and call are just one tool. Regardless of how fast the call gets help to you it will not be fast enough. The tool of calling 911 is only one of the many things you do to protect yourself.
Even if you never watch another episode you will note they did a very good job of showing that there are many steps to safety. They also are giving you information on how to act when seconds count and the police are only minutes away.
Did you notice, even though they did not discuss it this week, that the locking bar for the door was used as a tool to gain separation from the assailant?
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I live in a small community and actually live on the same street as Fire/EMS. The same person answers non 911 calls on the same phone as he does 911 calls...makes for some misunderstandings.
Richard
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Remeber, not every locale is the same.
Yep, which is why I said "in some states".
The key is to treat "911" as a generic number. Everyone needs to know the best way to call for help where ever they are and when ever they need it.
Agreed. Blind reliance on dialing 9-1-1 may not be the best method. Other problems with cell phones I didn't mention include uneven coverage, delays after dialing before it starts to ring and no service due to other call volume.
Did you notice, even though they did not discuss it this week, that the locking bar for the door was used as a tool to gain separation from the assailant?
Yes and I commented on it in another thread. I am not saying the episode was junk--far from it. But 20 minutes isn't anywhere near enough time to cover all aspects of what they discuss. Hence these threads to expand on the ideas they present.
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I would think that most people have two cell phones. I have one that's mine and my wife has one that is hers.
Now what we do with hers is leave it in the bedroom all the time so it is there if needed. The charger is there as well so she just takes it from there if she needs it and returns it to the charger when shes done with it. Mine is out in the livingroom next to our landline so it is right there if needed, also along with the charger.
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I would think that most people have two cell phones. I have one that's mine and my wife has one that is hers.
Now what we do with hers is leave it in the bedroom all the time so it is there if needed. The charger is there as well so she just takes it from there if she needs it and returns it to the charger when shes done with it. Mine is out in the livingroom next to our landline so it is right there if needed, also along with the charger.
Move me to "not like most." Top that off with the poor cell coverage we receive in our home, and we are pretty much on our own if someone cuts our lines.
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Move me to "not like most." Top that off with the poor cell coverage we receive in our home,
Ya I hear ya there, I had to change cell companys to get a signal at home also.
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For those looking for another "Comms" option, I'd suggest getting a Ham radio license. It's an easy 35 question test, with no morse code required now.
Many areas have repeater stations with Phone-Patches available to dial 911 or other emergency phone calls form a little hand-held radio 8)
KD7YOE - ARES/RACES officer
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For those looking for another "Comms" option, I'd suggest getting a Ham radio license. It's an easy 35 question test, with no morse code required now.
Many areas have repeater stations with Phone-Patches available to dial 911 or other emergency phone calls form a little hand-held radio 8)
KD7YOE - ARES/RACES officer
Good point. Often times 2 meter or 70cm FM is reliable in rural areas where cell phones fail.
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My cell coverage varies from one end of the house to the other.
One option to fix this is a cell phone signal booster.
There are several companies that sell signal boosters for cell phones.
The ones I've seen look kind of like a wireless router and go for between $300 and $500.
I've also heard of phone companies putting in a second "secret" land line.
These are supposed to be "undetectable" from the outside of the house.
I guess they just hide all the usual boxes and other doohickeys under the house or something.
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You do realize that there is a device available that is the size of a cigarette pack that will block cell phone signals over 100 foot range, I forget what they are called but I believe Radio Shack and similar electronics stores sell them.
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It's real nice that all you folks live in those beautiful "McMansions" with two floors, safe rooms and foyers larger than my whole house. But the rest of us workin' (or Retired) folks living in more modest digs will not have the luxury of time to run the quarter mile to the back bedroom and dial up the cell phone. If the Gangstas kick in the door I will have all I can do to retrieve my Colt from the open safe and thumb off the safety before the thugs are in my face.
My best warning is my Golden, who will bark up a storm if anyone comes near the house, then greet them with a toy in her mouth when they break in. But no way will I have time to chat with the 911 operator, who is on the other side of the county.
I would like to see some more realistic scenarios in normal folk sized homes, and even in (Shudder) single wides. Good folks need advice and they do not all live in yuppieville.
BTW last year we had a case locally that involved a 58 yr old man and two 30 something guidos from Noo Joisey. They decided to come after him in his mobile home at 3AM. He tried to warn them off with his Mossberg, and shot both through the door. They went to the emergency room, he went to the greybar for a long time. Never use a public defender. ::) How about working on this type of situation.
My 2cents worth, don't hit me please!
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It's real nice that all you folks live in those beautiful "McMansions" with two floors, safe rooms and foyers larger than my whole house. But the rest of us workin' (or Retired) folks living in more modest digs will not have the luxury of time to run the quarter mile to the back bedroom and dial up the cell phone. If the Gangstas kick in the door I will have all I can do to retrieve my Colt from the open safe and thumb off the safety before the thugs are in my face.
My best warning is my Golden, who will bark up a storm if anyone comes near the house, then greet them with a toy in her mouth when they break in. But no way will I have time to chat with the 911 operator, who is on the other side of the county.
I would like to see some more realistic scenarios in normal folk sized homes, and even in (Shudder) single wides. Good folks need advice and they do not all live in yuppieville.
BTW last year we had a case locally that involved a 58 yr old man and two 30 something guidos from Noo Joisey. They decided to come after him in his mobile home at 3AM. He tried to warn them off with his Mossberg, and shot both through the door. They went to the emergency room, he went to the greybar for a long time. Never use a public defender. ::) How about working on this type of situation.
My 2cents worth, don't hit me please!
You aren't the Lone Stranger. My first warning is footsteps in the hall of the apartment building. Between the first kick to the door and BG's in my face is time to reach out for the 1911 on the computer and turn, any situation will have to be resolved before I even get out of my chair.
You should note however that the concepts discussed are just that, concepts. Even if you live in a 2 room shack you can designate one of them as your "safe room" and plan your response and preparations accordingly. In my case it is the most vulnerable room in the house, however, it's the one where I am most likely to be when trouble starts, due to limited outlets it is the one with the phone charger, and it is the one where I CAN shoot with the least chance of a miss endangering my neighbors
The videos are shot in "McMansions" because it's more pleasant and looks nicer than a third floor tenement . But the thinking is easily transferable to your situation.