Search and rescue agencies across North America warn against a viral post on social media advising people who are lost, stranded or have no cellphone to update their voicemail messages.
Although it’s not clear where the ‘PSAs’ originated, they have been spreading on Facebook and other platforms. Experts call it “life-threatening misinformation” and recommend that people text or call 911 if they have access to it.
The Alpine Rescue Team, a nonprofit group of rescue mountaineers in Colorado, responded to the message with its own Facebook post, explaining there a number of issues with the so-called survival tip.
“Posts like these get your attention, get liked and shared by people who are trying to help, and the algorithm spreads them like wildfire,” the group wrote.
Listen up! Search and rescue teams warn of a viral social media post that advises people who are lost or stranded, to change their voicemails.
‘Do NOT Do This’: Accordingly to the PSA’, you should change the message to include your date, your approximate location and your situation before your cell phone dies
The viral post is being flagged by Facebook as ‘partly false’ information. It begins: ‘If your phone is low on power or doesn’t have a signal and you lose your way while hiking, or if you’re ever lost while on a hike, here’s a tip that could save your life.
You can change the voicemail on your cell phone to a message giving your approximate location, time and date. Also, any special instructions like “You are walking towards a town, or you are staying with the car.”
“The best thing about this is that voicemail works even if your phone stops working or dies. Anyone calling your phone to look for you will hear the message and be able to find you or send you help.
The message received a lot of attention online, with people re-posting it and sending it to their loved ones as they believed it could be lifesaving advice.
The Alpine Rescue Team however pointed out that changing your voicemail is a wasteful of time, regardless if you have a signal.
‘Without a signal (connection from the cell system), you can’t change YOUR VOICEMAIL. The voicemail system is located with your cell provider,’ the group stated.
Viral nightmare: People were quick to re-post and share the message, which is now being flagged for ‘partly false information’ on Facebook
Life-saving advice: The Alpine Rescue Team is a Colorado rescue mountaineer group that has warned against the so-called survival tip
‘To change your message, you must CALL into your voicemail. After that navigate the menus, record a greeting, and confirm it, you can call back. This cannot be done without a sign.
The post stressed that if you are lucky enough to have a cellphone signal, you shouldn’t waste battery power by calling your voicemail or a loved one — you should immediately call 911 for help.
“If you don’t have a signal, text 9-1-1 for assistance. Many 9-1-1-1 centers can receive text messages, if not all.
The message stated that if you called for help, you should stay at the same place unless you need to move for safety.
‘Changing your location makes our job more difficult. We find it faster to reach someone we know (within a circle), than to pinpoint a moving target. STAY PUT.
You can maximize the battery life of your phone by turning off any apps and Bluetooth that you don’t use.
Warning: Coquitlam Search and Rescue , a non-profit group in British Columbia, Canada, stated that the ‘post contains some potentially LIFE-THREATENING MISINFORMATION’
FYI: Halifax Search and Rescue, another Canadian non-profit, didn’t mince words, opting for a more ‘blunt’ message while slamming the viral post.
‘Don’t use your cell phone as a GPS/map device and especially do not use the compass if your phone has one — the compass feature in some phones is a serious battery drain. The Alpine Rescue Team suggested that you pull out your map, compass, or use a dedicated GPS unit.
You may be asked to turn off your phone and send a text at a particular time. You can also keep your phone warm by using some body heat or a handheld heater.
Over the past few weeks, a number of search and rescue organizations have taken to Facebook to share similar warning messages regarding the tip.
Coquitlam Search and Rescue, an organization in British Columbia, Canada, stated the following: “Post contains some potentially LIFE-THREATENING information.”
The team recommended that anyone who is planning on taking on a wilderness adventure or simply a hike in the woods should be proactive and use an app that allows them to plan their trip with a check-in feature.
“You can use this app for a trusted friend to let them know where you’re going and when you expect you to return. It will also alert them if they don’t check in,” they said.
“You can use it for any backcountry activity, and even for other activities such as driving long distances where cell phone service may be poor.”
Meanwhile, Halifax Search and Rescue, another Canadian non-profit, didn’t mince words, opting for a more ‘blunt’ message while slamming the viral post.
The group shared the following: “Wasting your time changing your voicemail could prove to be the last thing that you do.” ‘If you don’t call for help, and you didn’t leave a trip plan, NOBODY IS COMING TO GET YOU.’