2 minute read
WHAT 3 WORDS
There are still many people who can grab a compass, a map and tell you within a matter of seconds their precise whereabouts, yet despite being quite easy to do, it’s sadly another skill that’s being lost due to technology.
Don’t get me wrong, technology is great, and can help save your sorry backside when you have injured yourself, or have messed up and are stuck up to your chassis rails somewhere remote. One of the best and most common apps to locate yourself is What3Words.
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Putting it simply, What3Words is an app designed for your smartphone that divides the entire world into 3 metre squares, and each square has a unique three word combination.
This means that wherever you are in the world, the app will give you three words, and anyone else using the app will know exactly where you are within a 3 metre square.
What3Words isn’t just useful for locating stranded vehicles or injured parties, it’s also useful for finding friends and family in city centres, or at big events. Imagine trying to find someone outside a football stadium, or at the maze that is the NEC. Simply get them to text you the 3 words and you’ll be able to walk straight to them, because the app uses Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, so you can get directions straight to their 3 metre square.
Another important fact is that many emergency services now accept 3 word addresses from 999 callers who would otherwise struggle to say exactly where they need help. Telling the operator that you’re in the park, next to the bench that’s got graffiti on it, when you’ve twisted your ankle and can’t walk, isn’t going to help!
Being able to read a map is still incredibly useful, and definitely worth learning in case your phone battery dies. That said, if your phone is dead you can’t phone anyone for help!
Apart from being incredibly clever, the best part about it is that it’s totally free, all you need is a suitable smartphone/watch on which to download it. So what's stopping you, download it now, it could actually save your life, or someone else's! Download it from their website at what3words.com