Items tagged spring break

Safe Apps

Ten years ago, it was difficult to communicate to let family and friends know that you were safe. It was even more difficult to let them know you were in a unsafe situation. Now, we all have cell phones with GPS locators. This recent technology provides a safety net for cell phone users. The are multiple apps that provide ways to communicate with authorities, family and friends in emergencies or sketchy situations. Below are a few apps that are great additions to your current apps.

Watch Over Me

Watch Over Me greets you with a screen that presents two statements, ‘Watch Over Me While I…’ and ‘For…’, followed by two buttons. For each statement you fill in an action (‘walk home’, ‘walk to my car’, ‘take a cab’, ‘meet someone’, or add a new event), and a time frame . Once you’ve selected these specifics and tapped the ‘Watch Over Me’ button, the app takes you to a countdown screen with a round button to tap to confirm your safety, and a square button below it to tap to extend the watch session. If you don’t confirm your safety by the time the counter hits zero, the app contacts your previously designated friends (via SMS, email, or even Facebook) with your GPS location. Two other buttons remain constant throughout the app: the Instant Emergency Alert button, and a banner at the top that you can tap to unlock all the app’s features.

bSafe

bSafe has some of the same features as Watch Over Me—for instance, it allows you to add contacts (it calls them Guardians) who can follow you when you’re on your way home. Like the other apps, it has an SOS button that will set off an alert to your Guardians, with your GPS location. Once you’ve registered with bSafe, the app asks you to select Guardians from your contacts list. You’ll need to have at least one contact that can be reached via telephone; other Guardians can be accessible via text message or a combination of the two. If you’re in danger, hit the red SOS button, and the app sounds an alarm, sets off a bright light on your phone, texts your location to your contacts, and calls a Guardian.

Circle of 6

The design is simple. It takes two touches to get help, so no fumbling or digging around for the right number. The design ensures safety, speed and privacy. GPS is integrated (using Google maps), and is only activated by you, and sent to your own Circle of 6. It uses icons to represent actions, so that no one can tell what you’re up to if they see your phone.

1. Car icon: Come and get me. SMS message reads, “Come and get me. I need help getting home safely. My GPS coordinates are…”

2. Phone icon: Call me. SMS message reads, “Call and pretend you need me. I need an interruption.”

3. Chat icon: I need some advice. SMS message reads, “I’m looking for information, just letting you know.” This will link the user with risk-assessment tools and information about healthy vs. abusive relationships developed by content partners.

Spring Break Safety Tips

Spring break 2010, this was the headline: The first official week ofSpring Break was a violent one in Daytona Beach, where six rapes were reported in as many days. Divas In Defense wants to share a few safety tips for Spring Breakers.

Create Memories: Don’t drink until you are blacked out.

Of the six reported rapes, all but one involved alcohol and/or drugs. Three of the victims were unconscious when assaulted. Only one person has been arrested so far.

Back to Daytona, FL: Of the six reported rapes, all but one involved alcohol and/or drugs. Three of the victims were unconscious when assaulted. Only one person has been arrested so far.

Wing (Wo)Man: Always have buddy. More than a designated driver, a buddy should make sure no one is taking advantage of you and that you are not putting yourself in a position to be taken advantage of.

Contact Information: Always carry identification with you and always carry important phone numbers with you. Don’t rely solely on a cell phone or your memory for important numbers, use a combination of the two.

Play It Safe On Spring Break

It’s that time of year again; time to shop for the perfect bikini and work toward a perfectly toned beach body. Why? Spring break 2014, of course. Majority of college spring-breakers will choose a destination near the beach. While this is a great opportunity to relieve the stress of school work, safety should remain a top priority. Whether your destination of choice is in the United States or abroad, something could happen in the blink of an eye that could change your life forever. Safespringbreak.org has some excellent tips for spring breakers, even some that are not so obvious:

When reserving a hotel room, opt for a room above the 1st floor and below the 6th floor.
Drink alcohol in moderation while on the beach, as sun maximizes effects of alcohol.
Avoid drinking while in a hot tub, as the effects can be felt much quicker and cause you to pass out.

Don’t become another statistic among the spring break world. Many of the horrible incidents that make headlines could have easily been avoided with a little bit of common sense. Taking a self-defense class is a great way to be even more prepared for anything. View our calender to see the list of classes that we offer, and reserve your spot today!

Tagged as: spring break

Create Memories: Don’t drink until you are blacked out.

Back to Daytona, FL: Of the six reported rapes, all but one involved alcohol and/or drugs. Three of the victims were unconscious when assaulted. Only one person has been arrested so far.

Wing (Wo)Man: Always have buddy. More than a designated driver, a buddy should make sure no one is taking advantage of you and that you are not putting yourself in a position to be taken advantage of.

Contact Information: Always carry identification with you and always carry important phone numbers with you. Don’t rely solely on a cell phone or your memory for important numbers, use a combination of the two.