Safety solutions for mountain wanderers

saor

saor

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That dude missing at Table Mountain got me thinking that I'm also a bit careless when going up without anything in my pockets. Snakes, falling me, falling rocks, dragons...quite a few things can happen up there and I'd like to be a bit safer when doing it. I'm not taking my day-to-day mobile phone up - I'm not keen on it getting smashed whilst jumping around. Was thinking of trying to get an old Nokia 8210....
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Or something else that's very small and unobtrusive. Where does one even get those phones? None of the newer phones are that small, or is there something tiny & cheap on the market? Also this comment:
AfricanTech said:
Yep. Always. At the very least, cellphone with tracking switched on and let someone who can track it know you're going and when you're expected back.
Click to expand...
...makes sense too. What's the cheapest, smallest GPS-enabled phone available? Anybody here bough a small, gps phone just for their mountain walks and have something to recommend?

Was also thinking of maybe a small backpack with a space-blanket and a bare-bones first aid kit in it - not just for myself but also for whatever emergency I might encounter up there. Anything else that people take up with them, or any other suggestions? Hmmm...a basic first-aid course would also be a good idea. Something I keep on putting off. Any suggestions for places in CPT to do one?

Thanks
 
Yeah, you could use that, but you do get smaller fairly sturdy newer phones today. Check out Alcatel's entry level range.

A small first aid kit is an absolute must.
 
Get a decent case for your smartphone I do everything with my phone have yet to damage one. Only phone I've ever smashed was in the suburbs as I pulled off on my motorbike trying to hold my phone in one hand and grip the bars I dropped the phone and rode over it, smashed. Really stupid move, not to sure why I had a phone in my hand though, think I got a call mid ride or something.
 
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I use a SPOT device for when I hike in remote areas with no cell service. A bit pricey, but I think it's worth it.
 
I used to go kayaking with an iPhone, put it in a cheapie ebay waterproof bag, never had any issues.
 
Zodiacal Light said:
I use a SPOT device for when I hike in remote areas with no cell service. A bit pricey, but I think it's worth it.
Click to expand...

Do phones need tower signal for GPS to work? I've never had to find my way in a no coverage area up to now.
 
cpu. said:
Do phones need tower signal for GPS to work? I've never had to find my way in a no coverage area up to now.
Click to expand...

It's not just for GPS, it sends position updates to a list of recipients you specify so that they can track you even when there's no cellphone coverage. It can also send a SOS message to local S&R.
 
Zodiacal Light said:
It's not just for GPS, it sends position updates to a list of recipients you specify so that they can track you even when there's no cellphone coverage. It can also send a SOS message to local S&R.
Click to expand...
Then it's worth it, especially if hiking/climbing regularly.
 
Finally got a small phone :).
Lighter for scale.

smallphone.jpg
 
I actually can't believe how good the call quality is on that thing :wtf:.
Expected it to sound like AM radio.
 
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