Winter Safety Week: Yorkshire Ambulance Service promotes life-saving what3words app

Yorkshire Ambulance Service is joining emergency services from around the UK to promote Winter Safety Awareness Week (8-14 December) and raise awareness of the free what3words app to help save time, resources and, in some cases, lives.

While many will be braving the outdoors to socialise this winter, the shorter days, combined with harsher weather conditions like rain, ice, sleet and fog, can increase the chances of people finding themselves in trouble. In these situations, every second matters.

That’s why, Yorkshire Ambulance Services is encouraging members of the public to download the free what3words app which allows you to find and communicate your precise location to 999 teams in an emergency, and it works offline, making it ideal for places with limited signal. It’s available via iOS, Android, and the online map (what3words.com).

When calling 999, describing exactly where help is needed can be difficult, particularly when under pressure. This is especially true in unaddressed locations such as remote walking trails, along the motorway or at busy events. Lower visibility due to darkness also makes it harder for rescue teams to search for patients, or even see their house number. Contrary to popular belief, services often cannot automatically detect a caller’s precise location, which can delay response times in critical moments.

what3words provides a simple solution. The system has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, and given each square a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. This means that every apartment building entrance, hard shoulder along the motorway and spot in a remote field has its own what3words address.

Helen Smith, Team Leader, Emergency Operations Centre at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “As winter brings its own challenges, take extra care when you're out and about. The colder months often mean icy paths, poor visibility and rapidly changing weather conditions, all of which can increase the risk of accidents or getting lost - especially in rural or remote areas.

"If you ever find yourself in need of emergency assistance, sharing your what3words location can be vital. This enables emergency crews to pinpoint your exact location with incredible accuracy, even if you’re miles from the nearest road or landmark. It can save us crucial minutes and make all the difference when every second is vital for your safety and wellbeing. We urge you to download and familiarise yourself with the what3words app before heading out because you never know when it might help save your life or someone else’s."

Helen shared a recent example when what3words played a crucial role in a successful response by all emergency services. After a person was seen in a river, Yorkshire Ambulance Service shared the initial what3words location as a rendezvous point for all emergency responders. As the patient moved downstream, crews on scene provided updated what3words locations, enabling responders enroute to pinpoint the patient’s shifting position with precision.

This real-time updating allowed teams to coordinate effectively, position themselves optimally along the river, and ensure rapid access. Ultimately, the patient was rescued by a coastguard helicopter and brought to safety, with what3words again used to direct resources to the precise bankside location so the patient could be taken to hospital by ambulance. The incident showcases how what3words can significantly improve coordination, response speed and patient outcomes in complex emergencies.