Technology saving lives
The power of words, reimagined by geographical technology
Sarah Robert's peaceful hiking trip in the Swiss mountains took a terrifying turn when she lost her balance and plummeted 60 feet down a treacherous slope. It was a life-threatening situation for the 59-year-old hiker. There she was in a remote area, far from landmarks suffering from a broken arm, a severe gash on her forehead, and a concussion that left her disoriented and calling out for help.
Sarah wasn't alone. Her nephew, Ed Farnworth, was there and tried to help, but the situation was daunting. They were faced with the challenge of guiding emergency services to their exact location in the vast wilderness, and against time. It was in these few critical moments that a simple app on his phone would prove to be the key to Sarah's rescue and recovery.
Precision matters these days and What3Words epitomizes this through how it pinpoint locations. This innovative technology divides the world down to an unbelievable scale, to 10-foot squares, each assigned a unique three-word combination. It has reimagined the entire Earth’s surface area into 57 trillion squares. This monumental feat of digital cartography means that every single spot on our planet, from the densest urban centers to the most remote wilderness areas, can be precisely identified using just three simple words.
Back to Sarah and Ed. When Ed remembered he had the What3Words app on his phone, he was able to provide emergency services with the exact address: "///crabmeat.hers.froze". This precise information proved to be a lifesaver, enabling rescuers to reach Sarah in just 25 minutes.
What sets What3Words apart is its simplicity and universal applicability. By converting complex GPS coordinates into easy-to-remember three-word combinations, it eliminates confusion and potential errors in communication. This is particularly crucial in emergency situations where every second counts.
The app's integration with emergency services is a game-changer. Over 4,800 dispatchers answering 911 calls in the US now accept What3Words addresses.
The technology behind What3Words is a testament to human ingenuity. By creating a universal addressing system that works anywhere on the planet, it bridges gaps in traditional addressing systems. Whether you're in the heart of a city or the middle of a desert, What3Words provides a reliable way to communicate your location.
Technology simplifying and facilitating our lives is good.
Technology saving lives is good.
In Sarah’s own words:
"What3Words helped speed up the whole process for which I am extremely grateful,without it, I don't see how I would have got the help I needed and things may have ended much worse."