Today’s smartphones are equipped with numerous bells and whistles to keep users entertained for hours on end. Even when in the great outdoors, it’s hard to escape cell phones or the benefits they can deliver, especially in emergency situations.“The most effective use of a smartphone often depends on signal strength,” says Tim MacWelch, owner and operator of Advanced Survival Training, a wilderness survival school based on Fredericksburg, Virginia. “If you have access, call for help! But when signals are weak, it might still be possible to get a text to a friend or loved one who can alert the proper authorities.”

Despite spotty reception in remote areas, smartphones can be lifesavers if disaster strikes.

With a variety of built-in technology and downloadable apps that can be used regardless of connectivity, users can successfully endure perilous situations. Consider these often-unforeseen uses of your smartphone.

1. Compass

   When you’re lost or have been separated from others in your party, a compass can be an invaluable tool to help you gain your bearings. “Many smartphones come equipped with compass functionality, which can help prevent you from walking in circles, even when the sky is overcast or at night,” MacWelch says. As a precaution, be sure to take the program for a trial run before striking out on your own in the wilderness to familiarize yourself with the application.

2. GPS

   Communicating an exact location when you’re lost or injured can be challenging. But with the latest smartphone technology, users can rely upon maps and other global positioning satellite (GPS) information to help identify a location.
   GPS capabilities can also enable others to find you as long as the phone is powered and holds a signal. Using GPS coordinates to geotag photos or videos on your phone before uploading to social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook or remote “cloud” storage can also help search parties pinpoint your general vicinity should you be unable to communicate.
   You can also document a perilous situation and send messages to loved ones even if the phone gets damaged after the upload is complete.

3. Light Source

   Anyone who has been to the movies in the past five years can attest to the light output of most smartphones. Some models come equipped with flashlights, but for those that don’t, there’s an app for that. There are several free flashlight apps available for iPhones and Androids that use the devices’ LED displays to fill the screens with bright light and illuminate surroundings. Even the lock screen or home screen can provide enough light to assist with navigating terrain in the dark.

4. VoIP

   Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps can help in locations where signals are weak, using the Internet to make calls rather than a voice line.
   One very popular VoIP application is Skype (www.skype.com), which can make calls over WiFi and 3G cellular networks. Skype and other VoIP technology also enable you to send video, enabling users to share visuals of their surroundings and possible injuries.

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