Man down systems

[Fursty Ferret]

Anyone with any experience with man down/lone working alarm systems?
Any recommendations?
Cheers

 

[Dan Newcombe]

Garmin In Reach are good and not too challenging to use. Can also use them to send messages with your phone when you are running it of signal which is useful.

 

[Dickie]

My work uses stay safe an app on the phone so limited by signal I guess, I use it but have never needed it.

 

[wytonpjs]

Routinely use WhatsApp live location for remote safety overwatch when lone stalking but signal dependent. Google does something similar (other post up on here). When remote and no GSM coverage, or doing risky work in poor signal I have a Motorola sat front end that links to my iPhone for messaging and automatic location updates.

Post in thread 'PLB suggested for all and sundry.'

May 31, 2026

PLBs are good one-shot emergency devices. I carry a Motorola Deny on my bino harness shoulder strap. That has a SOS function to a worldwide overwatch centre and, using the Bullitt satellite messaging App on my phone as a front end, I get worldwide message and position reports over satellite.



Where GSM coverage exists, I’m also running an Honest Mobile eSim which gives me unlimited data on certain Apps like WhatsApp on the big carriers EE, O2, 3 and Vodaphone.

• wytonpjs

 

[hendrix's rifle]

My old man is after something for sailing and has settled on the garmin inreach 2 I believe.

I use a garmin GPS watch, its the tactical solar something or other. If i hit the emergency button it can be programmed to send a message to whoever you choose along with live tracking through GPS along with heart rate and the rest of it. Never used in anger but I've tested it numerous times from having full signal to being in the middle of absolutely nowhere with 0 signal and it's always worked.

If you do the latter, make sure you tell your emergency contact you're testing the emergency function, preferably when you have phone signal for when they ring

 

[Shabz]

We use Spot trackers at work but I have my own Garmin in reach which is much better because I can use it to send texts to my wife if I’m out remote.

iPhones now also use gps to send SOS messages if you have no signal. That’s pretty useful

 

[wytonpjs]

iPhones now also use gps to send SOS messages if you have no signal. That’s pretty useful

Good call - I didn’t think that was available in the UK but checking here it is if you iPhone is running iOS 16.2 or later. Emergency contacts need to be set up in the phone before use.

Sadly, normal messaging over satellite is not currently available in the UK:

 

[Steve.243]

We have PeopleSafe at work. Again, works off mobile phone but can be tailored and include alerts for falls as well as hitting the red button.

 

[JockStalk]

Sat messaging capability (ground stations) is being built in the uk now but a few years till widely available