Going for 1h30 run - how to make an emergency call?

[QuestionMarkNow]

A very practical question.
ds (17yo) is doing a lot of running, even more so since the lockdown. He is now doing what I would call a long run (about 15~17km) on a regular basis

Any idea on how he could take 'something' with him to contact us in case of emergency (eg he twists his ankle and can't walk back home).
A phone has been a no-no from him (where could I keep that?). Money seems a bit pointless (where could you find a public phone to ring home or a taxi).

Any other idea??

I totally get that he probably doesn't want to carry a big and heavy smart phone. I use one of these PAYG drug phones
www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/phones/pay-as-you-go/mobiwire/ayasha

An old non smart phone, they cost very little and are very light, can be put in an arm pouch or just a pocket or even his waistband

Another vote for flipbelt (or cheap Chinese copy). I carry my smartphone in it and don't notice it all - it doesn't move/ need readjusting etc.

@QuestionMarkNow hmm not sure as I've luckily not had to test it - I think actually it might need a phone linked for the emergency texting feature, though the alarm itself would still work without... so it may not work for your son after all!

Belts are more comfortable and practical than arm bands.

I use one of these www.runnersneed.com/c/accessories/belts-waistpacks.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrvraxpr_6QIVjbTtCh31wgxlEAAYASAAEgI2ePD_BwE
Hate arm bands as the fall off but this is easy to wear and I don’t notice it at all

I have a phone ouch round my waist for my phone. I wear it round the back as it's more comfy.

On another note how can he run without music 🤷🏻‍♀️ I could not cope without that!

DH does similar, and he buys running shorts with a zipped pocket just below the back of the waist band.

Apple Watch with cellular?

On another note how can he run without music 🤷🏻‍♀️ I could not cope without that!

For whatever reason, no one runs with music in the family. Not ds1, ds2 or dh....
Can't explain....

@CuppaTandCake, can I ask how wide those belts are?
ds is thin/skinny and his experinec of belts like (eg to carry water) is that they are not tight enough to not move around when he runs.
I'm wondering if there are different size/man vs woman to find some tighter ones.

Seems a bit redundant to take a burner phone out when he already wears a smart watch.

I would buy another smart watch that can support calls. Less baggage. If garmin doesn’t support calling, perhaps try apple or Samsung. Older Apple Watch models can be found for £200 new or even cheaper 2nd hand/refurbished. If he’s a student he’d be eligible for student discount.

One good thing about apple watches is that even if you don’t have an active cellular plan, you can still call 999.

Garmin have a live track function that can be enabled before he leaves the house.

Looks like this

Oh that's good @Glittertwins. I'll ask ds!

I always struggled with the armband but found a belt much more comfortable. I actually found out about that by asking on here ! (The wisdom of mumsnet always help me )

I found one on amazon. I was worried because I have sensory issues that it would rub, but it is actually fine on the occasions I use it and just goes under my T-shirt

Smart watch?

You can buy really tiny mobile phones on eBay which can be smuggled into prison up your butt. I'm not suggesting that as a carrying method (!) but might be easier to carry with him than a smart phone?

wow, a pound for a phone. Impressive.

BTW running with your ears blocked with doofy-doofy noise isn't smart. The traffic is coming back and you need to be aware of social distancing.

@QuestionMarkNow I never found a runner's belt that was tight enough. They always end up flopping about on my hips. That's why I bought the shorts with pockets (I don't take water on my runs, I just fill up when I get back. Can't carry anything as I have the dog's lead in my hand).

I second the 'not running with music'. I actually can't, as I don't have any on my phone, but cars and social distancing notwithstanding, bikes come up fast and silently behind you and I jump like a bugger every time someone hurtles up pinging away at their bell, and that's with the dog stopping and staring at them. If I had earphones in I'd be regularly scared to death.

dh is using his smart watch for long runs.
(triathlon training)
plus he tells me the route before he starts so I could go find him if needed.

My running watch can be used to send my location and an alert to emergency contacts if triggered. Lots of running watches can do that. Perhaps he could consider upgrading his watch to one of those.

I haven’t programmed that part of my watch as I take my phone in an armband.

Running belt to carry phone, stretchy so phone won't jiggle and super comfy ... lots on amazon ... just like a flip belt but less expensive :)

Thanks @Zaphodsotherhead. So maybe not waist belt.

Maybe he should try a few @QuestionMarkNow. I know others have success with them! But I have a very tiny waist and quite...not tiny hips and it just seems that belts won't fit on me!