Safelet-would you get it?

Jenneke87

Today I read an interesting article in Metro, in which a father who was concerned about his daughter going clubbing on her own(she lives in Amsterdam, NL) and wanted to find a way to keep her safe. He invented a device called a " Safelet", a bracelet with two buttons on it: one to alarm " guardians" (people who are programmed into the bracelet in case of emergency) and one to contact police. Location is transmitted to police and family and she can talk to them to let them know what's going on. It doesn't stop there though, you can also submit an sos to people nearby, creating a network of "guardians" to women in distress.

The Safelet is not availabel yet, but is estimated to be released in NL around September. It looks quite stylish and you wouldn't know it's real purpose when you saw it.

If the threads in the ladies lounge are anything to go by, one would think that women aren't safe anywhere, constantly shouted at, regular victims of random abuse both verbally and physically:( I've fortunately haven't encountered much of it myself because I don't go out much but some of the stories here are really shocking.

One the one hand I think that all of the things invented and actions taken to keep women safe are wonderful, yet sometimes I think it also creates a rift: all men are percieved as evil and perverted and women their victims.

So things like the safelet: are they just feeding this notion that danger is always present for a woman out on the streets or are they really really necessary. And if they became available in Ireland, would you get one? Would it make you feel safer? Should a male version be invented also? What do you ladies think?

sullivlo

Jenneke87 wrote: »

Today I read an interesting article in Metro, in which a father who was concerned about his daughter going clubbing on her own(she lives in Amsterdam, NL) and wanted to find a way to keep her safe. He invented a device called a " Safelet", a bracelet with two buttons on it: one to alarm " guardians" (people who are programmed into the bracelet in case of emergency) and one to contact police. Location is transmitted to police and family and she can talk to them to let them know what's going on. It doesn't stop there though, you can also submit an sos to people nearby, creating a network of "guardians" to women in distress.

The Safelet is not availabel yet, but is estimated to be released in NL around September. It looks quite stylish and you wouldn't know it's real purpose when you saw it.

If the threads in the ladies lounge are anything to go by, one would think that women aren't safe anywhere, constantly shouted at, regular victims of random abuse both verbally and physically:( I've fortunately haven't encountered much of it myself because I don't go out much but some of the stories here are really shocking.

One the one hand I think that all of the things invented and actions taken to keep women safe are wonderful, yet sometimes I think it also creates a rift: all men are percieved as evil and perverted and women their victims.

So things like the safelet: are they just feeding this notion that danger is always present for a woman out on the streets or are they really really necessary. And if they became available in Ireland, would you get one? Would it make you feel safer? Should a male version be invented also? What do you ladies think?

Surely they can just turn the pink ladies one into a manly blue? /sarcasm

Would I use one? Not a chance in hell.

Firstly, buys into the stereotype that women are victims. Secondly, big brother is watching etc. Thirdly, it villianises men.

I think it's a step too far tbh.

eviltwin

I can see the usefulness for people who go hiking in remote locations or something like that but as a safety measure for women no. I think its dangerous to create the idea that the world is unsafe for women, it can be but its rare. Something like this just creates fear where none needs to be.

sullivlo

eviltwin wrote: »

I can see the usefulness for people who go hiking in remote locations or something like that but as a safety measure for women no. I think its dangerous to create the idea that the world is unsafe for women, it can be but its rare. Something like this just creates fear where none needs to be.

I also think there is a select group of people who would abuse the device and use it (or threaten to use it) when not essential.

iwantmydinner

Also, how long before "well, why weren't you wearing your safelet" creeps into post-assault interviews and/or criminal trials.

Neyite

sullivlo wrote: »

I also think there is a select group of people who would abuse the device and use it (or threaten to use it) when not essential.

Yep, Women being forced to wear it by a controlling partner. And then getting beaten because the device says she was somewhere she wasnt.

diveout

I love how people volunteer themselves being watched, policed and tracked. Incredible.

My understanding from OP is that location is only transmitted if you press the button. Although obviously that could be abused too but then if you had a controlling partner they'd probably have a gps tracking thing on your phone already and possibly unbeknownst to you in the first place

I can see the usefulness if you really wanted to use it

fatknacker

It's a good idea, I think. I don't see where it villianises men, come on now. That's a bit of a leap. It's a subtle panic button if someone feels they are in a situation that is dangerous to them. It's not always easy to just reach for your phone.

Also, the wearer elects themselves to be found. And if someone is worried about a controlling partner ruining the whole thing for everyone, well if they are that controlling they can easily find other ways to control their partner.

Sure there'll be other douches who abuse the device but they always exist and they are generally a minority.

sullivlo

fatknacker wrote: »

It's a good idea, I think. I don't see where it villianises men, come on now. That's a bit of a leap. It's a subtle panic button if someone feels they are in a situation that is dangerous to them. It's not always easy to just reach for your phone.

Also, the wearer elects themselves to be found. And if someone is worried about a controlling partner ruining the whole thing for everyone, well if they are that controlling they can easily find other ways to control their partner.

Sure there'll be other douches who abuse the device but they always exist and they are generally a minority.

I personally wouldn't wear them, and I think that the implication that women need to wear them implies that they are in danger.

It's a new technology. As the world expands and technology grows and all that jazz, it's clear that new things will take off. This time 10 years ago I carried an ipod, a phone, a camera and a filofax all together in my bag. Now I have a phone.

Perhaps a bad example, but an example of technology growing.

I have a GPS tracker thing that I use for exercise. Most people I know don't have trackers or don't feel the need to use them.

Just because a technology exists, doesn't mean it has to be accepted / used by all, IMO.

I have felt threatened before. I was mugged about 10 years ago and I ended up in hospital after it. It happened in broad daylight, on O'Connell Street, in front of a lot of people. Nobody came to help me because they thought it was an "internal dispute" amongst friends. Would it have been handy then? Yes. Have I felt it (a safelet) missing from my life because I don't have it? Nope. I've travelled around the world alone and I don't think I have ever felt the need to a) carry, or b) use a panic alarm. I was given one before but it would never cross my mind to bring it anywhere.

I guess it comes down to personal preference. And a bit of luck that I don't feel unsafe in my general day to day life. Perhaps that's down to life experience? I don't know.

Alls I'm saying is that personally, I wouldn't use one. And I think that the need for them to be used / designed came around through women feeling threatened. Not necessarily by men BTW - I'm also thinking Crazy Eyes or similar

meeeeh

bluewolf wrote: »

My understanding from OP is that location is only transmitted if you press the button. Although obviously that could be abused too but then if you had a controlling partner they'd probably have a gps tracking thing on your phone already and possibly unbeknownst to you in the first place

I can see the usefulness if you really wanted to use it

Breitling have a watch with a function that alerts emergency services if you are in trouble. It's meant to be used if you get in trouble mountaineering or something similar. You sign a contract with a hefty fine that you won't press button as a joke.

It would be hand if you go travelling into rough countries or doing some dangerous sports activities. I don't think it is vilifying men or similar nonsense. It is something you can use to feel safer. Although you should probably not frequent places where you feel unsafe or at least bracelet shouldn't give you a false sense of safety.

I'm pretty sure a controlling partner has plenty of ways to control the other partner. In fact the bracelet might offer more freedom because otherwise people just wouldn't be let out of the house.

Pat Mustard

If it's the watch I remember, that Breitling has a built in emergency locator beacon, designed for people who need rescue from remote or inaccessible areas. It's not designed to alert police. The watch is expensive and the technology is now outdated. Also, there are much better, cheaper emergency beacons now. It would be unsuitable for an assault situation or for quick use. You'd have unscrew part of the watch and pull out a long aerial.

I'd day you'd phone the police in the time that you'd pull out the aerial.

meeeeh

The Mustard wrote: »

If it's the watch I remember, that Breitling has a built in emergency locator beacon, designed for people who need rescue from remote or inaccessible areas. It's not designed to alert police. The watch is expensive and the technology is now outdated. Also, there are much better, cheaper emergency beacons now. It would be unsuitable for an assault situation or for quick use. You'd have unscrew part of the watch and pull out a long aerial.

I'd day you'd phone the police in the time that you'd pull out the aerial.

My point is that you will think twice before pressing the button for fun if the fine is higher than a price of very expensive watch (in that case). Also the idea itself is not exactly new. But there is a use for technology that informs people where you are when in danger. My main worry would be that it would make people more reckless not more paranoid that they are always in danger.

Pat Mustard

meeeeh wrote: »

My point is that you will think twice before pressing the button for fun if the fine is higher than a price of very expensive watch (in that case). Also the idea itself is not exactly new. But there is a use for technology that informs people where you are when in danger. My main worry would be that it would make people more reckless not more paranoid that they are always in danger.

First, Breitling doesn't fine anybody. Depending on where you are in the world, the authorities may do that. I've never heard of it happening in Ireland.

Secondly, I think that the old, outdated, Breitling watch can be got for about $4,000, second hand. I see that there is a new, more updated one, which costs $15,000. If you use the beacon, it can't be reused. It has to be sent back to Breitling who will charge an arm and a leg to reset it. However, if you can show that you used it in a genuine emergency situation, they'll reset it for free.
Link

The activation of the Emergency requires the watch to be sent back to Breitling for reconditioning and it can cost 1/2 of the original price of the watch.

This watch is a gadget for people with too much money, who fly their personal aeroplanes over the wilderness but somehow couldn't be bothered with a proper beacon. It's not for people who want an alert system in case of immediate danger.

The Breitling is a very expensive but clunky looking watch. There are better beacons that cost €400 €250. Why buy the Breitling? If you are in immediate danger from a physical threat, there will be no time to use it.

To ensure the signal isn't accidentally triggered, the user has to pull out a set of long antennas on either side of the watch

Wearing a watch that costs thousands of dollars will probably increase the chances of a robbery.

The Safelet seems to be designed for purpose, at least.

Safelet allows you to send out alarms when you have so little time, something that would be difficult to do with your smartphone. A single click on Safelet allows you to notify a wide network of people, you can cell them as your guardians, it’s up to you how big you want your network is. This smart device gives your exact location to the police. Basically, Safelet creates a platform where we can help each other. Safelet app is available of iOS and Android, the bracelet uses a Bluetooth low energy connection to link the device to you smartphone, so it won’t drain your battery.

EDIT: links and quotes now inserted. Price of personal locator beacon corrected.

meeeeh

The Mustard wrote: »

First, Breitling doesn't fine anybody. Depending on where you are in the world, the authorities may do that. I've never heard of it happening in Ireland.

Secondly, I think that the old, outdated, Breitling watch can be got for about $4,000, second hand. I see that there is a new, more updated one, which costs $15,000. If you use the beacon, it can't be reused. It has to be sent back to Breitling who will charge an arm and a leg to reset it. However, if you can show that you used it in a genuine emergency situation, they'll reset it for free.

This watch is a gadget for people with too much money, who fly their personal aeroplanes over the wilderness but somehow couldn't be bothered with a proper beacon. It's not for people who want an alert system in case of immediate danger.

The Breitling is a very expensive but clunky looking watch. There are better beacons that cost €400. Why buy the Breitling? If you are in immediate danger from a physical threat, there will be no time to use it.

Wearing a watch that costs thousands of dollars will probably increase the chances of a robbery.

The Safelet seems to be designed for purpose, at least.

Well then my cousin who sells them would be wrong. I heard that about ten years ago I listed it as an example how the technology was already implented. The only interest you have is to rant about Breitling watches and how four hundred euro watch would be better. Frankly who gives a damn. I'm sure there is a better thread somewhere to debate which watch is better. The only person that I know that actually cares about watches is my before mentioned cousin and he thinks anything cheaper than rolex is crap. I enjoy showing him my 50 euro swatch and telling him it is a great watch. That is how much I care about watches and I certainly wasn't advising anyone to buy Breitling. Which I think anyone without a chip on their shoulder would be able to understand.

Pat Mustard

I don't see why you are taking criticism of a watch so personally.

When I'm at my computer, I'll post links to back up what I'm saying.

And I never said that a four hundred euro watch would be better. What I said was a four hundred euro beacon would be better.

You were talking about the beacon, which is in the watch.

pwurple

I thought something similar already existed... We had a type of panic alarm on a necklace for one of my elderly grandaunts, as she had fallen over a few times. She used it to call for help if she couldn't get up. It just sent a beep/text message to the listed contacts.

This seems to be a more 'fashionable' version aimed at a younger market. They are certainly useful in the elderly market, but not sure would there be much takeup from younger people. They tend to think they are invincible!

sullivlo

pwurple wrote: »

I thought something similar already existed... We had a type of panic alarm on a necklace for one of my elderly grandaunts, as she had fallen over a few times. She used it to call for help if she couldn't get up. It just sent a beep/text message to the listed contacts.

This seems to be a more 'fashionable' version aimed at a younger market. They are certainly useful in the elderly market, but not sure would there be much takeup from younger people. They tend to think they are invincible!

My great aunt has one on her mobile actually. She keeps setting it off though. Which causes much panic :P

eviltwin

pwurple wrote: »

I thought something similar already existed... We had a type of panic alarm on a necklace for one of my elderly grandaunts, as she had fallen over a few times. She used it to call for help if she couldn't get up. It just sent a beep/text message to the listed contacts.

This seems to be a more 'fashionable' version aimed at a younger market. They are certainly useful in the elderly market, but not sure would there be much takeup from younger people. They tend to think they are invincible!

My mother in law has one of those, if she falls she presses a button and the company phone her, if she doesn't answer they call us and we can go check on her. I think for someone who is infirm and alone its not a bad idea but this just preys on women's fears that the world is full of rapists, muggers etc just waiting to jump on you. The world is dangerous but its more than likely going to be your intimate partner or someone you know and trust who hurts you, not the random bloke on the street.

username123

I wouldn't be bothered with something like this personally. I'd either accidentally press the buttons when I wasn't meant to or not be able to press them when I was meant to. It'd be of no use to me.

strobe

Initially I thought it was a pretty good idea for an invention. But on reflection, a couple of issues. Firstly, if they became commonplace they would become useless as everyone (people meaning you harm included) would know about them and if you're intent on causing someone harm removing or preventing the use of the bracelet would not prove difficult I'd imagine. Secondly, with any kind of uptake of the idea I find it highly unlikely the police are going to rush a car out to the location every time the button is pressed, with the likely hood of false alarms and accidental activation etc. If they had the resources to do so the bracelet would not be needed.

Seems at best it would offer a false sense of security to some people.

But is an interesting, if not altogether original idea, all the same.