Emergency Uses for Your Camera Phone

In an emergency you’ll need to provide and receive help. Central to this is communication and documentation. Below are some of the ways the camera phone can be used in an emergency to document, record, and relay important information.
- Last minute child ID. Whenever the family might be separated, take last-minute pictures of all family members, especially the kids, and pets

Phone cards
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- Injury photos to the doctor. Suppose help isn’t available, and someone’s sick or injured. If there are visible signs or symptoms, relay pictures to medical personnel who can walk you through whatever treatment is possible.
- Damage documentation. In catastrophes, it’ll be days before insurance adjusters get there to file claims. Photo all damage.
- Report suspicious activity. Upload pictures of suspects and the situation to the police.
- “Here’s the landmark.” Gathering the family is critical. If you don’t have a fixed meeting place, send pictures of where and what you’re near so others can find you. This also works well if you’re lost in the wilderness and need to relay pictures of landmarks.
- Driving directions. If you’re trying to tell others where a certain location is, send a picture by picture set of directions.
- Last minute property inventory. Snap quick shots of your property and to show the current condition of your property.
- “Adventure” journal. Take pictures to record what you do, where you go and people you meet.

- Situational severity. First responders will be overworked. Send a picture of how bad things are.
- Minor traffic mishap. Photo the damage, people involved, witnesses and their tag numbers, and others involved to show their injuries (or lack thereof).
- Wallet backup. Take pictures of your wallet’s contents (or important documents) to record numbers, and show that cards are or were in your possession. Be careful with this info as it’s very sensitive and can be used for identity theft!
- Record parking spot locations.
- Engine repairs. Send a pic to a mechanic who may talk you through a quick fix.
- Child custodian. If you can’t get to your kids at school or other function, relay a picture of the person who is coming to pick them up.
- Hotel room number and location

Calling cards
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- Photo scavenger hunt. Give kids a short list of things they should take a picture of.
- ID the rescuer. If a rescuer is picking up your child or pet, photo the rescuer (and the child or pet) and the vehicle they used, their name tag, registration numbers on helicopters, vehicle tag numbers or names of boats.
- Document expenditures. In addition to receipts, photograph the goods acquired, equipment being used, services being performed and the people involved.
- Overcome language barriers. Pictures make communication easier.
- Crime scene evidence. People have returned to a home undamaged by a disaster, but later looted.
- Too much on the screen? Should the TV flash pertinent information and you don’t have time to write, take a picture of the screen for later review.

Paul Purcell is a security analyst and preparedness consultant with over 20 years of risk management and preparedness experience. He’s also the author of “Disaster Prep 101.”