CELL PHONE USE

ON OR AROUND THE ST LAWRENCE 

HERE'S A HELPFUL TIP FOR DIVERS - - IN THE AREA NEAR THE US / CANADA BORDER, IT IS POSSIBLE TO PLACE A CALL AND BE CONNECTED TO A US CELL PROVIDER. WHILE ANNOYING, THIS CAN BE AVOIDED BY TURNING OFF YOUR PHONE'S "ROAMING" OPTION.  

HOWEVER, WHEN DIALING 911 FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES, THE ROAMING OPTION IS IGNORED AND THE STRONGEST CELL SITE IS CONNECTED. THIS CAUSES EXTREME CONFUSION AS THE US 911 OPERATOR WILL LIKELY NOT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN CANADA. LIVES COULD BE LOST DUE TO DELAYS IN REACHING LOCAL EMS.  

MAKE NOTE OF THESE SPECIAL CELL NUMBERS WHICH CAN PLACE YOU DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMS SERVICE. (NOT ALL CELL PROVIDERS MAY HAVE THESE ACTIVATED - CHECK WITH YOURS(FIRST)  

*OPP (*677) IS DIRECT TO THE OPP 
*16 IS DIRECT TO CANADA COAST GUARD  

AND JUST IN CASE YOU NEED IT WHILE DRIVING TO THE DIVE SITE . . .  

*CAA (*222) FOR CAA ROAD SERVICES 

PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD THESE TO YOUR PHONE AND TO YOUR EMERGENCY PLANS.