Knowing how to alert emergency services when you are unable to speak could be a vital, life-saving skill. Police forces across the UK, including West Midlands Police, operate a specialised and discreet phone system designed for exactly this perilous scenario.
The Silent Solution System: How It Works
If you find yourself in immediate danger, the first and best action is to call 999. You should try to communicate with the operator if it is at all possible, even by whispering quietly. The call handler is trained to listen carefully and may ask you to cough or tap the keys on your phone to answer simple questions.
However, if speaking or making a sound is too risky, you must wait for a prompt. After a period of silence, the system will ask you to respond. This is when you must press 55 on your keypad or tap the screen if prompted. This specific action signals to the operator that you are in a genuine emergency and cannot talk, and they will then transfer your call directly to the police.
What Happens If You Don't Press 55?
It is crucial to understand that if you remain completely silent and do not press 55 or respond in any way, your call may be terminated. The system is designed to filter out accidental or hoax calls, so this specific input is necessary to confirm a real emergency. Once transferred, the police will usually be able to trace your location to send help.
Important Differences for Landline Calls
The procedure varies slightly if you are using a traditional landline phone. If you call 999 from a landline and do not speak, the operator will listen for background noise. If they can hear sounds that suggest an emergency, they will connect you to the police.
Furthermore, calling from a landline automatically provides the police with your location information. You should also be aware that if you replace the handset, the line may stay connected for up to 45 seconds in case you are able to pick it up again, offering another potential window to summon aid.
This essential public safety information underscores the importance of understanding how to use the 999 service in the most extreme circumstances. Always remember: in an emergency, try to speak or whisper first, but if you cannot, listen for the prompt and press 55.
