What3Words can help you get from point A to point B.
What three words can help identify your location in an emergency
Picture this. You and some friends are on a trail, any trail. An accident occurs, and you need help. What3Words can help local emergency services make this rescue successful.
What3Words is a geocoding system application designed by its British builders to identify any worldwide location with a resolution of about 3 metres with a three-word code. The three-word code is a conversion of the location’s latitude and longitude coordinates.
In another scenario, you are a TRAIL MONITOR inspecting your trail section. You discover a fallen log blocking a location on the trail. With What3Words, you can identify the exact location on the trail. With this location, you can include it in your Monitor Report. This will help the Trail Maintenance Crew locate where on the trail the volunteers are needed to clear the trail.
The application is available for both Apple and Android devices, free of charge, from your Apple or Android online app store.
Since you do not require a Wi-Fi connection to use What3Words, emergency services like the OPP recommend hikers have this app on their phones.
See this link for an explanation of how.
I downloaded the app from the Apple store to my Apple phone. You will see the familiar blue circle indicator showing your current location for users of the Google Maps or ONDAGO Avon Trail phone app. The search bar will show you the three-word code for your exact location. The default screen view is a grid. Use your fingers to widen the perspective, adding more grids in the picture. Tap another grid. You will see the three-word location address change to reflect that grid. Tap the search bar, enter a place name or a street address. Next, select the correct search result. Next, change the screen view to satellite view by clicking in the satellite circle to your screen’s bottom right. Now find the actual house address on the street. Next, tap a grid to be shown the three-word address. You are now ready to navigate this location should you choose—Tap Navigate button at the center bottom of the What3Words screen. Select your preferred navigation app.
(For a quick visual overview of how to use this app, click HERE.)
What if you wanted to share this go-to location with someone else? Hit the Share button bottom left on the What3Words screen, select your preferred share method and continue.
You can save your three-word addresses for later retrieval and re-use.
Another reason for this application’s popularity is that the What3Word addresses are easy to remember and say over the phone or radio. They’re also quicker and easier to type than a regular street address. They’re designed for speech recognition technology, making them easy to input correctly into voice-enabled devices or vehicles.
Please take my advice. Load this free application onto your mobile phone and try it out for yourself. Like having the right clothing, water and food snacks for your next adventure, including What3Words in your day pack will have you feeling safer.
Tom Kimber – News