How do you use the "help" message on your SPOT?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:41 pm
I just picked up a SPOT device and I think I'm ready to use it responsibly. As I'm writing itineraries and plans for my emergency contacts, I'm challenged to think of what I'd want them to do in a "help" situation. I'm sure many of you have thought this through and I'd wonder what you come up with.
Just to make sure we're all on the same page, the current model of the SPOT Satellite GPS messenger offers four messaging functions: OK, Customized Message, Help, and SOS. The key difference between Help and SOS is that the help message is sent to a set of user-defined contacts, while the SOS message is sent directly to the authorities. Here's what I've planned for each message:
OK - I'm OK and checking in.
Customized Message - Everything is fine, but I'm deviating slightly from my planned itinerary. Track my next "OK" messages to see where I go. I probably indicated this change as a possibility on the plan I gave you.
Help - Here is where I'm not sure what to do. I'm trying to imagine scenarios in which I'd want to call contacts for help but not the authorities. The most likely one that I can think of is that I need to abort the trip and bail out to the nearest trailhead, from which I'll need a ride. Right now, the message my contacts get is "This is James. Something is not going according to plan with my trip. Please consult the plan I gave you." The plan would tell them to track further messages until they can see what trailhead I'm heading for, then drive up to it to meet me. Any better ideas?
Thanks!
James
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Just to make sure we're all on the same page, the current model of the SPOT Satellite GPS messenger offers four messaging functions: OK, Customized Message, Help, and SOS. The key difference between Help and SOS is that the help message is sent to a set of user-defined contacts, while the SOS message is sent directly to the authorities. Here's what I've planned for each message:
OK - I'm OK and checking in.
Customized Message - Everything is fine, but I'm deviating slightly from my planned itinerary. Track my next "OK" messages to see where I go. I probably indicated this change as a possibility on the plan I gave you.
Help - Here is where I'm not sure what to do. I'm trying to imagine scenarios in which I'd want to call contacts for help but not the authorities. The most likely one that I can think of is that I need to abort the trip and bail out to the nearest trailhead, from which I'll need a ride. Right now, the message my contacts get is "This is James. Something is not going according to plan with my trip. Please consult the plan I gave you." The plan would tell them to track further messages until they can see what trailhead I'm heading for, then drive up to it to meet me. Any better ideas?
Thanks!
James
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