edit: Hey gang it’s me, dipshit. I made this comment in jest originally, because the guy wasn’t really using it as a rescue device to begin with, and because there are some legitimately good reasons why you may want to leave your phone at home or in the car, depending on your goals. Assuming you want to survive, yes, you’ll probably want to bring your phone with you but depending on your equipment and certification you may have even better options.

If you’re going an area where you know you’ll have service, taking a phone is a great idea unless your goal is to connect with nature and you feel the phone is going to get in the way of doing so (e.g., disconnecting from work or spending all day in your tent on the phone). If you take your phone with you and you have spotty service, try getting to a clearing or some view of a developed area or city - your phone is up so high that it’s going to have a pretty good chance at reaching some signal especially on LTE. Basically you have more signal “strength” and a greater distance with each foot you ascend.

If you plan to do this sort of thing often, you should probably get a device made for this sort of thing - one that has the ability to send short messages to 911 which can be done via satellites and not land-locked cell towers; one which has GPS and relays your coordinates to 911 or your friends / family at the push of a button. This comment not sponsored by Apple but the latest iPhones have this capability too.

If you’re going to do this sort of thing as a group at a large gathering like a festival or other event where you suspect the cell towers may be overloaded (e.g., burning man) you can use 900mhz mesh devices which support encryption such as meshtastic.org devices. This is a more diy solution but it allows your friends to have the p2p messaging via your phone’s bluetooth connection and the device, acting as a bridge to others.

There’s also satellite phones if you think you’ll need more than just basic 911 sms services out whereever you’re going. Or, if you have a ham operator’s license you can use portable equipment to talk to the next city, county, state or country over depending on a lot of factors.

It all depends on your goals.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 5 points 9 months ago

I rode a mountainbike into the woods once, and a helicopter out. I was really happy with my phone.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You can always tell the people who aren't actually outdoors people with these comments.

You should have as many forms of communication as you possible with you in the outdoors.

[–] dipshit@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago (2 children)

This depends on your goals.

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 0 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

If the goal isn't "get hopelessly lost because you're not a ranger from Middle Earth like you thought and eventually perish in the wilds."

Then being able to have contact with other human beings in case of trouble is seriously important, as is telling trusted people where you're going and how long you might be.

Just block your boss's number or turn it off if that's the goal lol.

Unless this is one of those "running from the government" kinds of things lol.

Edit: Oh hey I remember you! Hi again! 👋 Lol

[–] dipshit@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

If the goal isn't "get hopelessly lost because you're not a ranger from Middle Earth like you thought and eventually perish in the wilds."

Choose your own adventure!

Then being able to have contact with other human beings in case of trouble is seriously important, as is telling trusted people where you're going and how long you might be.

Yeah, having some sort of Sat phone, locator device, ham radio would be a good idea too.

Just block your boss's number or turn it off if that's the goal lol.

I guess that works for people who only have the boss to avoid.

Unless this is one of those "running from the government" kinds of things lol.

Sure, I mean I figure most people are probably online too much and could use with some time in nature, away from their screens but I make no judgement about it. If they think they can get cell service and want to take the net with you, by all means.

Edit: Oh hey I remember you! Hi again! 👋 Lol

I’m sorry, I have a bad memory when it comes to who I interact with. But hello again, friend!

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee -1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

If your goal is to not die in the outdoors, you should take your phone.

[–] dipshit@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

That’s assuming you have cell service. Lots of outdoors places do not. Satphone / locator devices are a good idea though.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Even if your destination doesn't have signal, it will still be useful for part of the journey.

I do also have a PLB for this reason.

[–] dipshit@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

That’s what they’re called! Personal locator beacons. The name was escaping me.

Anyway, I just think people are little too dependent on phones and service. Different now a bit with the latest iphone allowing some sat e911 sms features. I rarely get service when I go out camping, personally.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Better than nothing.

[–] dipshit@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sure, you can always use it to play solitare or as a light, compass, etc.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Phones are excellent for navigation, and there are multiple topo maps available that can be downloaded and used offline.

[–] dipshit@lemmy.world 0 points 9 months ago

Paper maps and compass.