Saved a life: A second non-functioning Cell Phone

[MikeGoob]

This cab driver was kidnapped and put in his own trunk. He had a second cell phone and was able to call 911 while the perp was transporting him.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/2879158,kidnap-tax-driver-110910.article

The article doesnt describe it, but I suspect that he had a non active cell phone hidden just in case. By law every cell has to be able to still call 911 at all times, so keeping it paid up is not a concern.

Pretty cool.

 

[Slopemeno]

Or a "hobby phone". Y'know.

 

[TheGoldenState]

By law every cell has to be able to still call 911 at all times, so keeping it paid up is not a concern.

Really? I didn't know that. Good!

 

[MerleApAmber]

Yep, we too have taken to keeping spare inactive phones charged around the house and cars as 911 links.

 

[boredom]

keep one in the house and car just incase. i think by law since the late 90s they must be 911 capable.

 

[WANT A LCR 22LR]

The 911 access holds true for land lines too.

Not all cell phones have 911 access, the older analog ones are no longer suported in any capacity.

 

[bigghoss]

good to know because I keep my old phone next to my bed and use it for an alarm clock

 

[MikeGoob]

Yep. The only concern is keeping it charged so it can make the call when needed.

 

[WANT A LCR 22LR]

A couple of ways to check service.

Is the NS light on? ( No Service )

Try and make a call to a regular number, if there is a recording that the service isn't current there is a good chance 911 will work.

The last test could be a call to 911 and start the conversation with " This IS NOT a emergency " then state you are testing that 911 works on a non current phone. However it might be better to cann the non emergency 911 number.

It might also be a good idea to find out if 911 can return a call in case you get disconnected in a real emergency.