BC Search and Rescue organizations are warning against the use of the What3Words app, saying it香蕉视频直播檚 not suitable for emergency services here in B.C.
The U.K.-based app is used by emergency services to report a person香蕉视频直播檚 location using a string of three words. The premise behind the app is that three words are easier to communicate than latitude and longitude coordinates.
The app divides the world map into three-metre squares, which are all assigned three unique words. For example, on the What3Words website, when you click on Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook the unique three words are ///pines.patches.nano.
Dwight Yochim, Senior Manager with BC Search and Rescue Association says that the app is a solution for a problem they香蕉视频直播檝e never had.
香蕉视频直播淭here are tools we use to locate a subject with their cell phone which are far more effective,香蕉视频直播� Yochim explained. 香蕉视频直播淵ou need cell service to use the What3Words app. If you have cell service, we can pinpoint your location using your cell phone within one metre.香蕉视频直播�
Many BC SAR groups have recently posted on their social media pages, saying that they do not recommend the use of the app.
North Shore Rescue says if you香蕉视频直播檙e lost in the backcountry, call 9-1-1.
香蕉视频直播淚f you are lost in the backcountry and have cell reception, your first action should, of course, be to call 9-1-1 so you can let authorities know you are lost and in need of rescue,香蕉视频直播� said North Shore Rescue in a Facebook post. 香蕉视频直播淲hen your phone makes an emergency 9-1-1 call, it will connect with any cell tower in range, even if it is not from your network provider. (Therefore, a 9-1-1 call may go through even if you are not otherwise able to get cell reception where you are).香蕉视频直播�
Yochim said that the app can cause challenges because words can get easily confused. This could, in turn, waste precious time and resources.
香蕉视频直播淔or example, if you send in the word 香蕉视频直播榖ats香蕉视频直播�, but we receive 香蕉视频直播榖at香蕉视频直播� it can cause big challenges, and similar circumstances have happened,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Yochim pointed to an that explains the potential issues with the app.
The article mentions easily confused words such as collard and collared or beat and beet. What3Words , stating that when they 香蕉视频直播渟elect the words to be used in each language, we do our best to remove homophones and spelling variations.香蕉视频直播�
The article also mentions a 香蕉视频直播榖roken algorithm香蕉视频直播�, stating the potential for 3,268 locations to get confused within a 20 kilometre radius.
Cranbrook Search and Rescue took to their Facebook page on Monday, October 11, to warn about use of the app. They suggested using other apps instead, as well as satellite communication devices.
香蕉视频直播淲e have been hearing of incidents of inaccuracies across the province with 香蕉视频直播榃hat3Words香蕉视频直播� delaying responses (one of which sent a rescue team multiple kilometres in the wrong direction),香蕉视频直播� Cranbrook SAR wrote. 香蕉视频直播淭here are much better apps including Google Maps, Gaia GPS, Trail Forks, and others that give you latitude and longitude.
香蕉视频直播淚f you go beyond cell service we highly recommend investing in a satellite communication device like Zoleo or InReach. Satellite communication devices work anywhere in Canada, with monthly plans less than your cell phone bill.香蕉视频直播�
Kimberley SAR had a similar message.
香蕉视频直播淎s always in emergency please call call 911 ASAP, carry an emergency/messaging GPS device and create a trip plan,香蕉视频直播� wrote Kimberley SAR. 香蕉视频直播淜imberley SAR does not encourage the use of applications such as What3Words, but instead strongly recommend using GPS when providing your location to 911 dispatchers and SAR members.香蕉视频直播�
Yochim adds that the BC Search and Rescue Association has arranged a meeting with all of their agencies to ensure they are on the same page when it comes to this app and type of response.
A spokesperson from What3Words says that they support the search and rescue community and their calls to ensure people are prepared when venturing out.
香蕉视频直播淲hat3Words is not a replacement for having the right equipment, traditional map reading skills or calling 9-1-1 but is a useful tool in the toolbox to help communicate a location,香蕉视频直播� they said. 香蕉视频直播淚n an emergency, you should always follow local advice and dial 9-1-1 first. If they are struggling to locate you with other methods, they may ask you for a What3Words address.香蕉视频直播�
The company says that a recent survey of partner Canadian emergency control centres, 100 per cent of them said that what3words 香蕉视频直播渞educes response times when it matters most香蕉视频直播�.
香蕉视频直播淲e are reaching out to any SAR volunteer teams whose experience doesn香蕉视频直播檛 match this feedback to offer our technical support, and further training to ensure we can work together to ensure people are safe and adequately prepared,香蕉视频直播� said the spokesperson.
corey.bullock@cranbrooktownsman.com
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