Have you ever texted 999 ?

Wibbles

I am a non-speaker

I am suposedly registered on my mobile to get emergency help via text

I have no idea whether this will work - or whether I get priority treatment

Have any of you ever used this service via Text ?

janer1967

Hi I'm not aware of this but I would think the NHS website will have info about contacting emergency services for someone in your situation 

Wibbles

I registered via RNID about 5 years ago but have never used it..........

How to send an emergency SMS to 999

Text the word ‘register’ to 999. You’ll need to register again if you change your phone number.

Find out more about emergency SMS and how to use it on the Relay UK website.

I assume that it still works as a standalone txt - independant of RelayUK ?

Biblioklept

I haven't, no, but am very interested in this!! I've been in emergency situations before and couldn't do anything because I can't use the phone so it's good to know there are some alternatives!!! 

Wibbles

I have emailed RNID to ask them whether a txt still works - because RelayUK takes time to set up and use !

Wibbles

https://www.emergencysms.net/

janer1967

Thanks for sharing that will be very useful for lots of people 

Wibbles

It could even save a life ?

Sandy_123

It looks very useful for a lot of people, I wasn't even aware of it

Wibbles

I have asked Admin to advertise the fact - so everybody is aware

But - be aware that you do need  to register, prior to the emergency (which does take a while) - so REGISTER TODAY !!

Text register to 999 and follow the instructions on the received response !

66Mustang

Thank you for sharing this.

I find it hard using the phone but probably could do so in an emergency but this is useful to know!

I wonder why you need to register, though? Why not make it so everyone can just use it if needed?

E.g. someone who can usually use the phone but is stuck in an abuse or burglary situation and doesn't want to be heard, it could save a life like you say.

Wibbles

66Mustang said:

Thank you for sharing this.

I find it hard using the phone but probably could do so in an emergency but this is useful to know!

I wonder why you need to register, though? Why not make it so everyone can just use it if needed?

E.g. someone who can usually use the phone but is stuck in an abuse or burglary situation and doesn't want to be heard, it could save a life like you say.

I guess that it probably goes through to a specialist call handler - but don't really know

Wibbles

Also - I understand that in areas of low signal, a txt may get through due to needing a lower bandwidth than speech !

Wibbles

I wonder whether a txt to 999 would still be dealt with as a priority case today?
With ambulance strikes 

OverlyAnxious

I wasn't aware of this but will register now.  Thanks. 


I can no longer speak effectively.  Found myself in an awful position recently when someone broke into my property through the front door.  They had a master key and we were supposed to have been notified by the landlord.  (I only learnt this after the event, I definitely wasn't notified in advance, but I can't prove that).  Anyway, I couldn't speak to tell them to leave, or to call anyone, and I have virtually no strength to put up any sort of physical fight.  Just as they were trying the door handle I managed to turn the lock and they left.  One of the most vulnerable situations I've been in though, and I felt shaken for days afterwards.  It's genuinely made me wonder if there was anything if I could have done if there had been criminal intent behind it...

leeCal

Commiserations @OverlyAnxious, take care old chap.

Hannah_Alumni

@OverlyAnxious I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you've had the locks sorted since then? 

It's brilliant that @Wibbles has shared this for those who have difficulty speaking.