Lots depends on cell coverage or lack of
Yes, in many cases this is true. Without cell coverage your phone doesn't do much good. ...but your GPS enabled smart watch *could* (help find your body?)
I wrote a post last week with some of the features on a Look Smart watch.
https://www.pugski.com/threads/appl...t-watches-and-ski-tracking.11475/#post-263573
There are GPS features that will pick up where mobile coverage leaves off. I'm reasonably sure the watch will detect the fall (advertised, control tested, not field tested). It will detect no movement via GPS and initiate the SOS features. The user (who fell) has a window to deactivate the SOS, otherwise it begins contacting your "SOS contacts" via phone, SMS or email. Here is what's advertised from the Manufacturer.
Using combined G-sensors, the LooK Watch generates an emergency alert if a physical fall is detected. The emergency alert will then be sent to your pre-set personal emergency contact numbers and services with your GPS coordinates and incident location. Two-way calling then directly communicates you with your emergency contacts and reassures you that help is on the way. If it is a false alarm, the watch user simply needs to press the SOS button when prompted to do so, and the emergency alert will be cancelled.
I can't quite grasp the "Two-way calling" feature. The verbiage is a bit off. What the heck is "directly communicates you"? ...I'm still working with this feature. I have a hike planned where I can be sure there will be no mobile service. I can't figure there's a GPS phone packed into this thing.
Assuming there's no GPS calling capabilities, I'd envision a "emergency rescue" situation where my first contact number is my closest and most trusted contact. Were a situation to occur where they are contacted, they'd access the LocationNow platform to see my "bread crumbs" and exact location. From there, I'd have them trained to attempt to contact me, and if no response to contact emergency rescue services in the area. Like any emergency situation, we'd train to this and ensure we know before we go.
Admittedly there are a lot of "holes" with this approach. I don't have allusions that this is a "life saver". In a tree well situation, a lot of events need to line up and execute successfully in a life emergency situation. What it provides me is a small piece of mind that my loved ones can track me and will have an understanding of what occurred should the ultimate unfortunate event occur. ...and even then, it's hardly well-proven tech. Not a good idea to depend on it, but yet another tool in the tool belt.