Hiking is a
wonderful activity, but safety is essential. The Communications Association of
Hong Kong (CAHK) has launched its new "50222 SMS Hiker Tracking Service"
to help search and rescue of lost hikers. It helps to keep track of hikers'
locations when they periodically "report in" via SMS, whenever they
encounter Distance Posts (DP) along their trails. If no incident occurs within
3 days, the data will be erased, but in the event of a lost hiker, rescue
parties can use the data to improve rescue time and success rate.
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Along trails,
hikers will encounter various Distance Posts (DP) with their own unique numbers
(e.g., the first DP of the MacLehose Trail is "M001"). |
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Hikers SMS
50222 to report Distance Posts numbers (e.g., "M001") |
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A confirmation
message will be returned immediately if a hiker's SMS is received. (e.g.,
"Message received. Have a safe hike!") |
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Hikers repeat
this procedure at every DP they encounter. |
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Tracking data
will be encrypted and stored, then erased automatically after 3 days if no
incident reported. |
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If a hiker is
lost, his family or relatives can report to police for carry out a rescue
operation. |
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Upon
receiving rescue parties' request, the 50222 service center will email the
tracking data to dedicated contacts. Rescue parties will analyze the DP
records to help the rescue operation. |
Is the 50222 SMS Hiker Tracking Service usable by any
mobile services user?
This service works with all
Prepaid SIM Card users
must inform families and friends of their mobile number(s) otherwise rescue
parties cannot identify phone number ownership.
Do I need to register for the service? Any services charge?
No prior registration or cost is necessary.
To avoid
SMS roaming charges, hiker must ensure the mobile service is connecting with
Can I send the 50222 SMS by using messaging applications
via smartphones or other smart devices?
50222 SMS service is only usable with
50222
smartphone applications will be launched in Phase 2.
Any specific content format should be followed?
The system will reply with the correct format and advise a hiker to
resend the DP no. again, if a hiker sends the SMS in an incorrect format or
includes additional text in the message.
The
system will only provide DP numbers and SMS sending times to
rescue parties.
Who can access my SMS hike tracking records?
Tracking data is encrypted and stored at the CAHK SMS Hiker Tracking
Service system, and erased automatically after 3 days if no incident is
reported. Upon receiving rescue parties' request, the 50222 service center will
email the tracking data to dedicated contacts.
Even
family members of lost hikers cannot access the data.
If I SMS the wrong DP no., or forget to send SMS for the
latest DP, what should I do? Can I SMS the DP nos. all at one time?
Simply resend a SMS with the latest and correct DP no. is needed. The
system will reply with the correct format and advise hiker to resend the DP no.
again, if a hiker sends the SMS in an incorrect format or SMS all DP nos. at
one time.
Please send the DP no. ONLY when a hiker arrives at the point.
This
SMS hiker tracking service encourages hikers to keep SMS regularly so that
their whole hiking route can be tracked. Rescue parties can reference on the
information to determine the searching area more accurately.
Can I key in other signage details in the SMS if I cannot
find the Distance Post (DP)?
This service only recognizes the DP no. in the Country Trail at this
moment.
I cannot receive the confirmation SMS.
Try to resend the SMS again when you reach a place where the network
signal is better available. A confirmation message will be returned immediately
if a hiker's SMS is received.
l
RTHK
2/二台通識六十秒 (in Cantonese) Click
here to download
l
香港電台《警訊》遠足短訊留踨服務 (in Cantonese) Click
here to download
Press Release
For the press release of 50222 SMS Hiker Tracking Service, please
click here.
Leaflet
For the leaflet of 50222 SMS Hiker Tracking Service, please click here.
Email: smsenquiry@cahk.hk
Tel: 2863 9903