Thread: Misleading Ad

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

That's the problem - we want one message getting out.

In Australia dial 000.

I think it's a worthwhile number to know. It connects any GSM handset to emergency services even if the phone is locked, in any country using the GSM standard. There's a lot of people importing grey market phones off ebay etc, given that they aren't developed for the Australian market, usually lack a 000 keypad lock override.

000

is the only number we should be using to call emergency services. Whilst others may work they are not the primary call number, dialling 112 will not be any help IF you are NOT in mobile coverage area.

000 will work with no credit or no SIM in the phone, but who do you think has no SIM in the phone - the ones who push joey calls through to the emergency services, it is a filter we use to try and make a determination on whether a call is genuine.

As for changing the number to 911/112/999 or any other combination we will still be in the same position, except we will be saying you should be calling ??? instead of 000. It would take a couple of generations to loose the 000 from society.

In my previous position I did a lot of work educating kids in when/how to call 000, generally by the age of 4 or 5 they have it completely worked out, many at an even earlier age. Whilst there is a lot of advertising that promotes (mainly) 911, we need to give the younger generation a bit more credit for being able to determine which number to call. The ones that are most at risk are the older generation who don't use mobiles, or if they do are more easily confused by them, and will be more confused if there are multiple number choices for an emergency.

Lets not add to the confusion of 112/911 but just assist emergency services and stick with promoting 000.

/rant

Martyn

Just a short 000 story I was told by a guy at Cardiac Rehabilitation. His best mate had to go to hospital for a heart valve replacement. They could not fit him in and sent him to the Motel next door. that night he tried to call 000, but the phone call went dead during the 000 call,and they could not trace it t his exact location. Next morning they found him on the floor with his mobile in his hand dead from a heart attack.

No I do not know what the answer is.