Safety with riding in area with no phone signal...

[fredflop]

Can anyone help. There is very patchy mobile phone signal at my yard, which makes me very wary of riding alone; there’s not always someone around. I like to let my friend know when I get on and off, for a bit of security.

obviously I can look and see if the network coverage is better on another network and get a cheap pay as you go. Apart from that are there any gadgets I can buy for my horse? Maybe some kind of gps tracker?

 

[PeterNatt]

Your best port of call would be as you have already thought of to try other mobile phone providers and see if their signal is any better. I do also have a 'Riders Mate' which uses a satellite communication system and which has an emergency button on it which sends a message to a pre-determined phone number with my precise location on it. I also use the what3words app on my smart phone to be able to advise people of my precise location. This provides 3 words which divides the entire world in to 3 metre x 3 metre squares. I also ride out wearing a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket so that people can spot me (My horse also has Hi-Viz on him) with a tag on the saddle with my telephone numbers on one site and vets on the other.

 

[Prancerpoos]

What, like we all did until about 25 years ago? Seriously though, 999 calls will always get through if there is any network, so don’t change providers because of that. If your network has no signal then your phone will find a network that has and put the call through. If thee is no network coverage from any provider then you have a problem! Even if you have a pay as you go and no credit, a 999 call will always be connected if there is any mobile coverage.

Agree that what3words is brilliant.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I know that I read something where a cyclist had an Apple Watch and when he came off and was therefore immoble for a period of time it texted his location to his ICE contacts he had set up saying 'x' may have had an accident, and with a GPS location. That may be worth looking into?

 

[paddy555]

I am in the position of no network coverage from any provider and I don't think we even have coverage for 999. I am not aware of anything for your horse but would be interested in any solutions. We have never had any coverage and are unlikely to get any so just live with it

 

[Zuzan]

I believe you can get land based EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indcator Radio Beacon). http://www.mountainsafety.co.uk/EP-PLB.aspx

 

[quiteniceforacob]

Harry Hall has an app that sends an alert to an emergency contact if you haven’t moved for 60 seconds with your what3words location.

I invested for hacking alone but my nappy horse keeps setting it off by refusing to move ?