Android already offers numerous functions that will help you in an emergency. From a handy gesture that lets you quickly call emergency services to more advanced tools like car crash detection, emergency location service and satellite SOS, your Android phone is ready to intervene when you find yourself in a difficult situation. Now Google is adding another useful tool to help you share important visual information with emergency services when you find yourself in a critical situation.
Google says the new Emergency Live Video feature is designed for simplicity and requires no setup. It allows emergency responders to request a live video feed from your phone’s camera during an emergency call or text message if they think it would be helpful. A prompt will then appear on your screen and you can start sharing with a single tap. The company assures that the feed is encrypted by default and users retain full control over when the video is shared and when it is stopped.
The emergency live video feature can be incredibly useful in situations where it is difficult for the user to describe exactly what is happening, be it a car accident, a medical crisis, or a rapidly spreading forest fire. By providing emergency responders with real-time images, it can help them give more accurate instructions, potentially making a difference in life-threatening situations. For example, if a loved one suffers cardiac arrest or a severe allergic reaction, the video feed can help emergency responders provide CPR or provide basic first aid until help arrives.
In its press release, Google confirmed that Emergency Live Video is available to all Android users in the US starting today. However, it will only be available on devices with Android 8 or later and Google Play Services installed. It will also be available in select regions of Germany and Mexico, and the company is already working with public safety organizations to expand availability to additional regions.
