Emergency outdoor phones are commonly used by government employees, conservation crew leaders, and outdoor guides during emergencies. They are even becoming popular among hikers, backpackers, and kayakers who enjoy frequenting remote wilderness areas. Unfortunately, training is often limited, and many outdoor professionals are sent into the wilderness with a great piece of equipment that they do not know how to take full advantage of. Although emergency phones for sale are becoming more like standard cell phones, there are still some things you need to remember if you have a satellite phone for work or personal use.

Arrange to Call Out Rather than Receive Calls 

There are several reasons why you will want to make calls from your satellite phone rather than waiting to receive calls. First of all, it is much cheaper to call from your phone than to use a regular mobile phone or landline to call your phone. Calls from satellite phones usually cost between $1-$2 per minute, whereas calls to the same phone may cost up to $10 per minute. However, you may look into getting a local number connected to your satellite phone to reduce these charges. 

The other reason that you should arrange to call out rather than receive calls is that most satellite phones require a clear line of sight to the horizon to work. It is better for you to make a call when you have stopped moving for the day and can stay in one place to make sure that your call goes through. This saves your battery, as you will only have to turn your phone on when it can be used, and keeps people at base camp from worrying when they cannot connect with you. 

Be Aware of Your Positioning and Antenna 

Almost all satellite phones have extendable antennas, which should be fully extended for the phone to get a clear signal. Additionally, the phones require a clear line of sight to the horizon to function properly. When you need to use your emergency phone, you should try to find a large clearing or a hill to use it. Before you plan a trip, you should look at a topographical map to find the places where you will most likely get the best reception in case of an emergency. 

Modify Your Speech To Accommodate Delays 

Most satellite phones can have a slight delay that regular cell phones do not have. You should speak slowly and clearly, using short sentences, when you use a satellite phone. It is a good idea to treat a satellite phone like a radio by pausing a moment before you begin to talk to make sure the other person on the phone has finished speaking. 

Be Prepared for a Slow Boot Time 

Most emergency phones take a moment to locate a satellite signal after you turn them on. This, combined with the idea of keeping the phone off to conserve battery until you need to use it, means that it may take up to five minutes to call out from a satellite phone. You should keep this in mind when you are in an emergency situation and try to get to a safe place where you have time to boot your phone and make a call. Otherwise, you may consider sending a text message with your current coordinates attached. 

If you have employees using a satellite phone for emergencies, or if you have one for personal use, you should take the time to go through your user manual and practice using your phone before you are in an emergency situation. Although most people hope they will not have to use their emergency phone, it can end up saving your life during an emergency.