June 23,2025
RED FM News Desk
False advice about what to do if you’re lost, stranded, or injured outdoors is spreading online, leading to a warning from a B.C. organization.
On Monday, B.C. Adventure Smart took to social media to address what it calls a “viral trend” that tells people to change their voicemail to include their location if they need emergency help but have a low battery or little-to-no cellphone signal.
The post explains the claim: “If you’re lost and have no signal, change your voicemail to say where you are.” However, it quickly debunks this, stating: “Nope. That doesn’t work. You need a cell signal to change your voicemail in the first place. No signal means no voicemail update.”
B.C. Adventure Smart emphasizes that regardless of battery life or signal strength, the best thing to do is always call 911 and ask for help from police, who can initiate a search and rescue operation. “Even if your signal is weak, your phone will attempt to connect to any available network to make that emergency call,” the organization adds.
For more advice on how to prepare for outdoor activities and what to do in an emergency, visit the B.C. Adventure Smart website.
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