Out of interest - why? Like, what is the benefit of having to locate an app to click a button to dial 111, when you can just dial 111 in the dialer?

Or in iOS you can just hit the power button 5 times in quick succession. Don't know if Android has something equivalent.

Android and iOS both allow you press the power button 5 times, quickly, to call emergency services. 

In New Zealand there is no dedicated app (why would you need one?), but there is Deaf Text, but you most register to be able to use this service.

Senecio:

 

Or in iOS you can just hit the power button 5 times in quick succession. Don't know if Android has something equivalent.

 

Note that this can be disabled, so you'll want to check your settings.

That just sounds like calling the emergency services with extra steps.

This makes absolutely zero sense 🙄 quicker to dial 111

Reminds me of IT Crowd episode where Maurice calls the fire brigade on the alternative emergency number.

Thanks for the comments

Linux:

 

This makes absolutely zero sense 🙄 quicker to dial 111

 

If person is present with you, may wish to do it more discreetly.

Also when looking at settings for it in Apple can be done quietly.

Where it disables warning alarms, lights flashing, and Voiceover. 

It looks like it automatically sends your location with the call and updates if location changes.

If you’re unable to speak, not sure what happens after that?

Oblivian:

 

Reminds me of IT Crowd episode where Maurice calls the fire brigade on the alternative emergency number.

 

He sent them an email because he couldn't remember the actual number: 0118 999 881 999 119 7253.

Some background: Shortly before that episode was made, the directory services in the UK had been privatised, and changed from three digits to six. The episode was making a jab at that.

rugrat:

 

It looks like it automatically sends your location with the call and updates if location changes.

 

If you’re unable to speak, not sure what happens after that?

 

New Zealand uses ECLI and has done for around eight years. This is triggered as soon as you call 111, whether that be manually, SOS or Deaf Text.  While the call is connected, emergency services can continue to see location updates from your device. 

SOS only sends updates to your nominated contacts via text. 

Police manage non speech emergency calls for all three services and have a number of tools/services to try and identify who called and from where. An extension of this is where people can press 55 to indicate they cannot speak but may be listening to the calltaker.

There are accessibility and safety reasons that this is a legitimate use case, e.g. domestic violence.  Think outside the box, just because something is not relevant to you does not mean it's 100% irrelevant.  Same reason the Shielded Site is available on Geekzone, rather than telling someone to just go to those services directly in their browser.

On my iPhone it comes up from either pushing the power button 5 times, or pressing and holding the power button and the up volume.

I would also suggest that someone using said feature may not be in a position to unlock the phone, launch the phone app and dial said number.

TwoSeven:

 

On my iPhone it comes up from either pushing the power button 5 times, or pressing and holding the power button and the up volume.

 

I would also suggest that someone using said feature may not be in a position to unlock the phone, launch the phone app and dial said number.

 

 

 

Correct I have a button pendant around my neck, one button  I press it once and a series of actions take place. In the middle of an emergency, trying to remember do i press it 3 times or 5? or do i hold it in?, oh wait which button was it ? hence the reason for a app on the desktop you press once it might ask are you sure ? countdown of 3 seconds then rings. 

OP I believe you have Apple devices based on your post history. The Apple Watch can call 111 if it detects a fall or can be triggered manually by pushing and holding the crown.

https://support.apple.com/en-nz/108374