The GPS Tracker SOS "Panic" Button
An SOS button on a GPS Tracker is immensely useful for anyone who may be at risk of wandering, becoming lost, anxious, confused, or harmed. They're an essential feature of our Stray Star GPS Dementia Tracker, which is also used by children who might be at risk of becoming lost, anxious or bullied.
The GPS Tracker's SOS button is able to work as the device functions like a small mobile phone - with a pre-installed SIM, it can send texts and make phone calls to designated numbers. But don't worry - there are no subscriptions, contracts or rental fees, you only pay for the SIM usage. Using PAYG or the all-inclusive £6 per month rolling package, this is a GPS Tracker that's cheap to run.
You'll see how the enhanced flexibility of the GPS Tracker makes the most of the SOS button.
How the GPS Tracker SOS Button Works
The GPS Tracker SOS button adds that extra bit of safety
The GPS Tracker has an SOS panic button on the front. When held down for a few seconds, it will trigger the SOS sequence.
First, the wearer will hear some reassuring voice feedback that the GPS Tracker's SOS button has been pressed: "SOS has been activated, if you wish to cancel, press the SOS button". This allows a brief period to cancel any false-alarms (e.g. if the button was accidentally pressed).
The GPS Tracker SOS sequence will then text up to five phone numbers programmed into the device - these could be a partner, son, daughter, manager, carer, neighbour - anyone with a mobile phone who could be available to assist in such a situation.
The text messages will include "Help me!" to signify the GPS Tracker's SOS "panic" button has been pressed. They also include the time, and a clickable GPS location map link so you can see the exact whereabouts of the person, using satellite imagery.
The GPS Tracker's SOS Button Will Also Call Carers
The GPS Tracker SOS button will also call up to five carers
While the GPS Tracker's SOS button is texting alerts to the designated carer phone numbers, it will also call them in turn.
It calls for about 8 seconds before moving to the next number, to avoid triggering voicemail if the person can't answer.
If a carer is able to answer, then the call will remain connected for a two-way call, for two minutes, before automatically hanging up and calling the next number. This is a safety feature, in case the carer answering is unable to assist.
If the carer is able to assist, then they can cancel the remaining call sequence by pressing a button on their phone's keypad.
This is an excellent system to ensure optimum ability of the carers to be reached, and for someone to be able to reassure and assist.
Flexibility for how the GPS Tracker SOS Button Works
You can set how the GPS Tracker's SOS panic button works
Everyone's situation is different, and you may find that the GPS Tracker's SOS sequence needs tweaking to suit your needs. We've built in a lot of flexibility to the device, enabling you to modify things - and you don't need to be anywhere near the GPS Tracker to do so, as its set via text message.
You can set:
- Whether the GPS Tracker's SOS button press offers the cancellation voice feedback, or immediately triggers the SOS sequence
- Which of the designated carer phone numbers should receive just SOS alert texts, just SOS calls, or both. For example, if a helpful neighbour only had a landline, you could ensure they only receive calls and not texts
- How long the GPS Tracker's SOS button calls a number for before hanging up
- How long the SOS button's two-way calls last for before calling the next number
- The speaker volume on the device during a call, to ensure they can hear you properly during a call
Disabling the GPS Tracker's SOS button
The GPS Tracker SOS button may not always be usable, if the person has dementia for example
Often, particularly if the wearer has dementia or Alzheimer's, the GPS Tracker's SOS button is not wanted as the person won't remember what it's for or how to press it.
You can also set how long the GPS Tracker's SOS button needs to be pressed before it triggers the sequence - so setting this to ten seconds for example is good way to prevent it being accidentally triggered.
"The SOS alarm is for my 85yr old Uncle who lives alone, has recently broken his hip and is on oxygen 24/7."
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