5 Emergency App Alternatives When Help Is Needed
Do local emergency authorities take too long? We have sourced emergency app alternatives to ensure you receive help fast!
Melissa Cohen
2017-07-07
The Henri van Breda case recently brought to light the state of emergency services. The recording that was played in the courtroom highlighted that it took ten minutes to get an ambulance dispatched.
Hearing this, we wondered if there was, in fact, a quicker and more effective option.
This trigger app is designed to act as your virtual witness if you find yourself in any type of emergency.
With one click of a button, MiBlackBox records audio, video and images of events taking place around you to alert your contacts.
Is It Worth It?
MiBlackBox is definitely a viable option for people travelling alone, who need immediate assistance if they find themselves in danger.
mySOS provides you with navigational assistance as well as a tracking system. If fast assistance during an emergency is what you want, mySOS promises to deliver.
Is It Worth It?
If you are an avid outdoors person and travel around by yourself, this app is able to track your movements and let your contacts know if you are in danger.
This unique app silently calls the nearest emergency services by a click of a button.
There is a feature that allows you to add and receive alerts about local crimes and suspicious activities in your neighbourhood.
Is It Worth It?
It is a free app that alerts your security company of your exact location if you are faced with an emergency.
This app works on all Smartphones, Smart watches and headphones which allows for a variety of ways to access the app.
Crash Detech's use of movement sensors are able to detect any unusual impact that you might be involved in. If you are in an accident, a signal will be sent directly to a response centre. A vehicle will be dispatched and you will be assisted.
The cool thing about this is that sensors can differentiate an accident from an accidental device drop.
Is It Worth It?
This app best suits someone who drives around alone. There are various packages which makes it an affordable option if you are not looking to spend a lot of cash.
After just three seconds following the alert, police services will be dispatched and attend to the criminal activity.
This app uses GPS coordinates to track where the incident is happening and ensures that the nearest authorities are sent to attend to the situation.
Is It Worth It?
It is worth downloading as it is free and assists if you are a victim of criminal activity, however, it is only available in Gauteng.
Read More about how bad police response time is in South Africa belowWith South Africa being one of the highest crime-riddled countries in the world, it is important to ensure that you feel a sense of safety and responsibility. According to a SAPS report released on March 3, over 960 000 crimes have been reported to the SAPS between the period of July 2016 and March this year. This means on average, an astonishing 3 550 crimes take place daily.
Five Emergency Apps
1. MiBlackBox
This trigger app is designed to act as your virtual witness if you find yourself in any type of emergency.
With one click of a button, MiBlackBox records audio, video and images of events taking place around you to alert your contacts.
Is It Worth It?
MiBlackBox is definitely a viable option for people travelling alone, who need immediate assistance if they find themselves in danger.
2. mySOS
mySOS provides you with navigational assistance as well as a tracking system. If fast assistance during an emergency is what you want, mySOS promises to deliver.
Is It Worth It?
If you are an avid outdoors person and travel around by yourself, this app is able to track your movements and let your contacts know if you are in danger.
3. Bull Horns Panic Button
This unique app silently calls the nearest emergency services by a click of a button.
There is a feature that allows you to add and receive alerts about local crimes and suspicious activities in your neighbourhood.
Is It Worth It?
It is a free app that alerts your security company of your exact location if you are faced with an emergency.
This app works on all Smartphones, Smart watches and headphones which allows for a variety of ways to access the app.
4. Crash Detech
Crash Detech's use of movement sensors are able to detect any unusual impact that you might be involved in. If you are in an accident, a signal will be sent directly to a response centre. A vehicle will be dispatched and you will be assisted.
The cool thing about this is that sensors can differentiate an accident from an accidental device drop.
Is It Worth It?
This app best suits someone who drives around alone. There are various packages which makes it an affordable option if you are not looking to spend a lot of cash.
Make sure you are covered in the event of an accident by getting the best price on car insurance below
5. Namola
After just three seconds following the alert, police services will be dispatched and attend to the criminal activity.
This app uses GPS coordinates to track where the incident is happening and ensures that the nearest authorities are sent to attend to the situation.
Is It Worth It?
It is worth downloading as it is free and assists if you are a victim of criminal activity, however, it is only available in Gauteng.
Which App Suits Your Needs?
So now that you know that the apps are about, we have compared them for you to make it easier to decide which one will be most beneficial.| MiBlackBox | mySOS | Bull Horns Panic Button | Crash Detech | Namola | |
| When would you use it? | Motor vehicle accident. While driving or walking. Roadblock interactions Cases of domestic violence. Threatening situations. | Medical, fire and police emergency or roadside assistance. Any outdoor event such as running, walking, cycling or driving. | During criminal activity. Emergency situations. Suspicious neighbourhood activities. | Car accidents any high impact accident. Medical emergencies eg. Stroke, heart attack. | During criminal activity. Emergency situations. To alert authorities. |
| Features | Alert and contact emergency services. Built-in panic button. Capture video, audio and visuals in the event of an emergency. All information is encrypted. Navigation system. | Assistance to all areas of medical, fire and sea rescue assistance. Emergency button. TomTom navigation. | Silently calls & SMSs sent to emergency services. Navigation and location detection. Receive alerts of crime in your area. | Proprietary algorithm sensors. Crash alert system. One touch access. Navigation and location detection. | Navigation and location detection. Control centre with assistance in various languages. Direct connection to nearest authorities. Dispatch time averages 13 seconds. |
| Price | R9.99 – R12 a month. | Free | Free | Free – R109/ per month depending on your package. | Free |
| Compatibility | All Smartphone devices and computers. | All Smartphone devices and computers. | All Smartphones, smartwatches and headphones. | All Smartphone devices and computers. | All Smartphone devices. |
| Accessibility | Nationwide. | Nationwide. | Nationwide. | Nationwide. | Limited to Gauteng only. |
