Go back to Questions

Q. How do I use the “HELP” mode on SPOT?

A. Use this option in the event of a non-life-threatening situation to notify your team – the business associates or family you have chosen to notify – that you need assistance. Or, in the event of a life-threatening emergency, 9-1-1 and HELP can be activated simultaneously to notify both the Emergency Response Center and your team that you are in distress. Even if SPOT cannot acquire its location from the GPS network, it will still attempt to send a distress signal – without exact location – to your selected contacts. (NOTE: Additional fees will apply for this optional service when it is available.

To Activate: Press and hold the HELP button for 2 seconds. The team members you have specified in your online account will receive a pre-programmed distress message via text message and/or email with a link to Google Maps™ with your exact location. Once activated, the indicator light will blink green every 3 seconds, and turn solid green for 5 seconds when a message is being sent. SPOT will automatically determine your coordinates and send your message every 5 minutes for 1 hour in this mode.

To Cancel: Press and hold the HELP button for 3 seconds. The indicator light will change from green to red to indicate that it is preparing to send a “Cancel” message, and will then turn solid red for 5 seconds to indicate that the message has been sent.