Phone 999 then press 55 if you cant speak

[ChinBristles]

Learned this at a first aid course today. Useful if you are alone and choking. Or being threatened.

Thought this was just for DA victims but obviously not, if you were taught it in a first aid context.

Thank you for reminding us.
I'm betting most people won't know this.

You can text 999. But first you need to register by texting the word REGISTER to 999.

This is more helpful than making a silent call as you can write exactly where you are and what's wrong so they know how to help you.

Thanks @DuckWithOneWing i've just done that! Need to spread the word!

Useful if you are alone and choking

It's really not. All the 55 system does is confirms you need help. It doesn't say what help or from who.

Silent 999 calls are by default passed to the police, first thing that's done is they call you back. Then an assessments done to try & identify the risk. Checks are done to try & find an address for the phone owner, that's fine if the emergency has happened at your home address

The 999 call doesn't give a precise location, just a general area the calls come from. Sometimes it takes hours, even days to finally trace a caller

Please NEVER assume that having hit 55 all you need to do is sit back & wait for help. I think its really concerning this is being passed out at a first aid course as a means of getting help. You might get it, but its unlikely to be quickly

Thanks @Redglitter ! I will feedback to the Red Cross who run the course.

Why do they make you pre register?

Shouldn't it be that you can text or call 999 straight away?

Seems odd to add in an extra step as if you're entering a competition or something... Slows things down

Exactly what @Redglitter said. Silent 999 calls go to police but they can't get an exact location from them. Always try to communicate your location even if it's the only thing you can communicate

I guess with a landline it’s an immediate exact location.

I’m guessing because in the panic of whatever the situation is that you need help for, you may omit key details from the text which would help speed up the response.

Yep, ringing from a landline is always best

can you link in to/forward what 3 words, for location, if using a mobile.

They make you agree to terms and conditions, which is basically that if you can phone and talk to them you're better to do that. But if you can't, texting is a good option.

You can register in advance and never use it. I registered years ago and haven't needed it. If you change your phone number you'll need to register again.

Yes. Were being actively encouraged to use that if people have any uncertainty about where they are. I expect most Forces are the same