"Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise."
~ Robert Baden-Powell ~
“What if you trip
over in the dark coming back from the supermarket across the park or fall into
a ditch, how would they know or find you in time?”
This was said to me
half in jest and half in earnest but it raises a very good question.
What if I
had?
The scenario relates to all UK emergencies in out-of-the way places.
The park in
question is seldom used in the evenings or in bad weather. The supermarket
opening times are late. Someone might stumble across my body in the morning. The ditch is unseen
in the dark and so would I be if I was in it! It was, in fact, a bunch of keys
we were looking for at the time not a body! We did eventually find the keys
because of their distinctive tag which was more easily seen in the long grass.
Then, one
evening, I took a constitutional walk to the supermarket and, of course, it was
dark. But then, I am a grown man with many years experience, so what!
On my way back across the open playing field that's so wonderful in warm summer sunlight, a place to dawdle and dream ... (but not that day, it was perishing!) I noticed a long shadow approaching from behind. It kept pace with me whenever I slowed or quickened. In my deaf world there were no other signs of life, just darkness ahead and a bright light from behind. I stopped and turned, I don't know why, I had both arms occupied carrying bags, so could not defend myself. The figure saw my hesitation and rushed forward. I caught a glimpse of something long and solid in his hand as he lifted it from his side. I stepped back instinctively to lessen the blow but he missed me by a small fraction, to my great relief. The man fled onwards down the path into the blackness. All there was to show for my experience was the lingering smell of newly baked bread from his French stick! He probably wanted to get it home in one piece but I was now secretly wishing he had hit me with it so I could have the broken end with my cut-price ham and cheese from the deli!
I have worked in conjunction with
emergencies for many years. I needed no reminding of the consequences but, even
if I had a mobile phone, how would I communicate my distress to an emergency
operator whose questions and instructions I could not hear?
I have, for
several years, used the I.C.E. notification on my phone address book which
the police would find (along with my body!) and know who to contact and give
the unfortunate news. At the time of its introduction it was a novel idea and well meant because
this is such an easy and quick way to save time and trouble on everyone’s
behalf.
I was also well
aware of what questions the emergency operator would ask. I had memorised this when I was working in the hospital as well. Although I could not hear on the telephone, I
knew the routine for emergency contacts which summon the different in-house specialist
teams. If I found anyone in distress, I could at least do my part. The service
required no return questions just specific location and type of emergency
needed to save time. The switchboard would pass on the details through the call system without delay and without
having to stop and ask for information (unless it was not done correctly).
I could probably do
something similar with the 999 emergency operators as well but first I would have to
explain that the conversation was going be one way only and I would repeat my
requests to be sure that they understood me. My problem would be to anticipate
what they might say or what answers they might request from me. Such as; who I was, what
service I wanted, where I was, what the problem was, any special complications
etc.? Trying to relay this in a precise coherent manner whilst in a cold wet
ditch on a dark and freezing winter’s evening might be difficult. I had a
flashing torch in my pocket to signal to passersby or searchers to show where I could
be found, just in case. A coloured flashing light is more easily seen and
investigated from a distance.
It was, therefore, very welcome when
firstly the local Sussex Police started using a text service for contacting
them by prefixing the 999 service with 65.
The ‘Typetalk’ Emergency Line,
for deaf and speech impaired people is not widely used by hard-of-hearing people and requires specific additional equipment at home. It is now called
Text Relay which uses an intermediary
speaker to help with questions and answers. This service is being developed much more widely now to
help in many other circumstances for deaf people using their mobile phone
microphones to hear for them. The voice to text service can now be used in meetings, lectures and open places.
Now this whole country is connected to an SMS messaging service for emergencies
by texting to the 999 number and getting a reply from the police,
ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard.
The service also helps those who cannot speak
as well. This is of particular interest when the caller is unable to speak because
of injury, disability or a need for secrecy (as in domestic violence or crimes
in progress).
You will need to register your mobile phone before using this
emergency service.
More information: Questions and answers: The emergency SMS service: This is, of course, a UK emergency service and must only be used in an emergency when:
Life is at risk and;
- Crime/trouble is happening now;
- Someone is injured or threatened;
- Person committing crime is near;
- There is a fire or people trapped;
- You need an ambulance urgently;
- Someone is in trouble, or missing, at sea,
- Someone is in trouble on the cliffs or on the shoreline
The SignVideo service which does communication in sign language (BSL) is unable to relay emergency 999 messages of any kind. This is due to the current telecom restrictions on video relay and interpreting services.
Now I can go out and about in the full
knowledge that I can get help if I need it by myself. I will not have to wait
for another passerby to use their phone for me if I am trying to help someone
else, unless I have my hands full. It also works in noisy roadside situations
as well.
For more on Hearing loss and safety visit:
http://www.signhealth.org.uk/health-information/emergencies/
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