Zero Knievel Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Mom fell in the shower yesterday...not hurt, but she was pissed I didn't hear her banging on the floor (I was brushing my teeth and thought the thumping sound was the big dog slapping her tail on the floor). Being rural, calling 911 isn't a priority due to likely long wait for a response. So.... Need a waterproof transmitter that can be worn with long battery life. A local alarm so if I'm home, I know something's happening and know to go check on her. I like the kind that lets you program outgoing numbers to call with a pre-recorded message. If not my cell phone first, our two closest neighbors (at least the one with a spare key), with 911 as the final number if nobody responds. I'd prefer not to have to pay monthly fees. At this stage, I don't need a high level of service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 The Apple Watch does those things, but it will call 911 after a VERY short delay and notifying your list. I mean seconds. It's also got automatic fall detection and some heart monitoring. No fees unless you get the standalone version with it's own cellular. EDIT: Fall detection gives you quite a bit of time to cancel the call and notices. Unfortunately, I don't think it can do auto-notify without also dialing 911 in a short time. But she could say "hey siri, tell Zero I've fallen and I can't get up." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 Needs to use landline. Cellular service for a dumb phone is weak out here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 The Watch only works with a smartphone or standalone with a smartphone type of plan. Also, what makes you believe that a modern "dumb phone" has any different radios than a smartphone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Is anyone in the house an AARP member? I don't know how they discount devices like this, but I joined just to get $200 off my glasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 28 minutes ago, SwampNut said: Is anyone in the house an AARP member? I don't know how they discount devices like this, but I joined just to get $200 off my glasses. She has AARP, but there's so many providers and devices out there, I'd not know which ones are really good. I don't trust AARP ads or endorsement on face value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Only making sure you can get a discount. They are a sleazy and useless money-grab for sure, other than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 I got this for my dad. https://vsnmobil.com/products/v-alrt/learn_more and get a phone and network that supports wifi calling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Wow, that is amazingly cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 11 minutes ago, JoWhee said: I got this for my dad. https://vsnmobil.com/products/v-alrt/learn_more and get a phone and network that supports wifi calling. Again, won't work. We don't have cellular at home. I'd not want to rely on the internet in a crisis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Of course you'll find a reason for it to not work. Your mother falling down isn't a reason for the internet to go out! If this was the pub I'd make a "yo mama so fat" joke. Oh fuck it I'm making a joke: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Must use an analog phone line and no subscription. I have no idea how that could be remotely possible. Another wild goose chase where everything we say will be ignored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 1 minute ago, SwampNut said: Must use an analog phone line and no subscription. I have no idea how that could be remotely possible. Another wild goose chase where everything we say will be SHOT DOWN. Wait, analogue (POTS) still exist south of the border? I figured everything would be fibre now. Also FTFY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Delivery to the customer as analog still exists plentifully. It's just muxxed down the road, or even converted right at the customer demarc on the side of the house. There are a few places where true analog all the way to the CO still exists for now. FCC has a mandate to shut it all down soon, I forgot the date. A device connected to analog lines obviously has to connect to a service to generate notifications, so there would be fees. It's basically analog alarm monitoring, another dead technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Wow, the only analogue lines I've seen up here are being used to monitor the digital phone equipment or cable pressure, like a watchdog. The phone company also uses old analogue alarm monitoring equipment as a cable theft alarm. The panel is hooked up to ~8 pairs of wires shorted out a various intervals. When someone cuts the line, they instantly know which line and at about which point it was cut, it has caught more than a few copper thieves, one of which was an employee 🤦♂️. So have we completely detailed the topic yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 4 hours ago, Zero Knievel said: I'd not want to rely on the internet in a crisis. It might be better than nothing??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 1 hour ago, blackhawkxx said: It might be better than nothing??? No, the internet has the Good Times virus, which we all know will cause Dutch Elm Disease in the elderly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, SwampNut said: Must use an analog phone line and no subscription. I have no idea how that could be remotely possible. Another wild goose chase where everything we say will be ignored. Okay.... There are panic buttons that will trigger an in house unit to dial numbers and play a pre-recorded message to summon help. However, there are many of them and narrowing down one that’s not junk is difficult. I was looking for recommendations from those who have done this. Cellular is not an option out here. Has to work with landline. I can’t use an internet based one because internet signal varies in performance and VOIP is cruddy at best. If they ever bother to install true broadband fiber optics out here, this wouldn’t be an issue. I’d rather pay more for a contained unit than a monthly service at this point. Edited September 11, 2020 by Zero Knievel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 BWCA people drop the phrase "satellite phone" https://www.outfittersatellite.com/Satellite-Phone-Providers--Which-one-is-the-best_b_188.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 You can't use them indoors. What's BWCA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Boundary Waters Canoe Area. ...couple acres of tamarac and swamp up-nort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ZOLEO&ref=bl_dp_s_mw_21157464011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptxyz Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 if you're home to hear it, how about a wireless doorbell? https://www.amazon.com/wireless-doorbell/s?k=wireless+doorbell beyond my abilities but, couldn't something like that trigger a landline call or some other type of notification if you're not home with her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Now that I think a out it, why not a SPOT? https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Because satellites don't work indoors. It's also kind of expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.