112
I drove past an accident scene this evening and aside from the two cars that had collided, and a pair of shoes scattered across the lanes, the one thing that shook me most was the sight of the drivers standing around the motionless pedestrian, fumbling with their cellphones in a state of panic. In those few seconds of passing, I wondered. When it comes to it, off the top of your head, what numbers would you dial?
112
If like me you knew this number existed but weren't exactly sure what calling it would do, here's some info. Calling this free number will link you to your network provider's Emergency Call Centre. Via Cape Gateway:
Emergency calls take priority and if the network is busy, other calls will be dropped to take your emergency call. The networks must, in terms of their licences, provide this access to five emergency services (fire, ambulance, police, sea rescue and traffic).
The cell phone networks also have different special emergency services that you can dial in addition to 112 or as part of 112 dialling. Check with your network (Cell C, MTN or Vodacom) to find out what these are. Please note that although the calls on these networks may be free, you will have to pay for any of the medical or other services provided by the private companies linked to the networks that you might use.
112 can also connect you to breakdown services in cases where your car has broken down. One for your quick dial list.
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12 Comments
D, we actually passed an accident on the way to Cavendish last night. Probably the same accident. I was mostly effected by seeing the paramedics working on some guy and the audience of tow truck drivers, police and everyone else on the scene. It was chilling seeing the guy, more than I would have thought watching all the hollywood hype. Respect to those who can stay completely calm in those moments.
I got a story, about that 112 thing. A few years back, at home, alexandra township. A few kids where playing around a flat opposite mine, and they saw a ‘bag’ (like an orange sack) and when they openened it, they found a body inside.
They alerted the ‘elders’ of which at I was one of them, and I dialed, 112. So, the woman on the phone asks me, ‘what is your emergency?’ (okay not in exactly those words, but those 911 documentaries are influencial). I tell her, ‘there is dead body in a bag, could she call the police or something.’ She replies with a ‘hang up tone’. She hand up on me. I dialed again, the second person hung up again. I guess it’s not a believable story to say, ‘body bag’.
After two hours the police drove past, looked around, drove off. Came back after two hours, to collect the body. It turned out the dude in the bag, was himself a criminal and his death was a retaliation to a couple of ‘house break-ins’ he had committed on another criminal’s house. Whats that phrase, live by the sword, die by the sword?
I am okay, with the incompetency or the police or emergency service (my step-father died because of the same, slow, delayed response), but I am not okay with a dead body lying around where kids play, sure alexandra is a ‘war zone’ to outsiders, but not taking me serious, begs the question about other avoidable scenarios when people actaully do need help.
In short I have no, faith in the police, in the emergency services. I could go on and on about this, but this is not the place for it.
Hmmm… I personally have been involved in multiple cases whereby I or someone I knew had to call one of the emergency services and on all occasions have had a rather prompt response time.
I don’t want to throw a spanner in the works (and I’m referring mainly to Lebogang’s story) but do you think that emergency services are more lackadaisical towards areas such as townships?
that was my conclusion,,,, i got tired of complaining about, because I would end up pulling a race card,,, but it’s all about economics (supply & demand type ish),,, which is why I am a bit of a communist (wooooo).
word.
did you know that you can dial 112 on a cellphone even when the keypad is locked!! it works on all phones. try it
That’s pretty useful. You can dial it without a SIM card as well, I typed it in and “Emergency Call” appeared but I didn’t actually dial. I thought I read somewhere that they disabled this due to abuse.
On the topic of cellphone tips – apparently dialing *3370# gives you access to reserve battery power… Not sure if it is true since I havent waited til my battery is almost dead to try it… Maybe I’m also a bit scared it’s a trick and does something baaaaad instead… If you brave enough to try it let me know ;)
Yes, it has undertandably been disabled, you might have read that on the MTN site you linked to in the post.
How many people are carrying around phones without SIM cards in anycase?!
Damien, I drove past an accident the other day, and I totally agree, there are two things.. smashed cars and cellphones. A person could be lying on the ground completely out, needing resusitation (spel) immediately, and thereone would be on their phones – shocking!
Thank-you for the number, I called 10111, and they said, and I quote: “We will attend to it as soon as possible” – I took that as: “Be there 20mins after the hungry tow-trucks arrive”. It scares me that the tow-trucks arrive before the medics *raises his arms*
i would dial the only number which got imprinted on my mind, but i bet it would be either busy or not responding. simply emotional connection timeout :)
Any ad exec’s out there…?
I think a great ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign would be to educate people through TV spots on what to do when they come across the scene of an accident. 99.9999% of the time the first person on the scene is going to be another driver, so engadge these drivers to participate or at least follow the right procedure – don’t move someone who could have a broken neck, back or ribs etc, basic cpr, emergency numbers… the like. Can’t hurt.
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15 August 2006
Amadeus02:47 am
Wow, that seems really complicated. In the states we simply have 911, thats for everything, police, ambulance and firemen.
Although the downside is you are often put on HOLD when you dial 911! :O