Top 50 emergency uses for the camera phone:

(Paul Purcell, 2009, ‘Top 50 emergency uses for the camera phone’,
http://cameras.about.com/od/cameraphonespdas/a/emergency.htm, date accessed 07/05/09)

“
1. Last minute child ID. Whenever the family might be separated, take last-minute pictures of all family
members, especially the kids, and pets.
2. Send a map. Draw a map on paper, take a picture and send.
3. Injury photos to the doctor. Suppose help isn't available, and someone's sick or injured. If there are
visible signs or symptoms, relay pictures to medical personnel who can walk you through whatever
treatment is possible.
4. Damage documentation. In catastrophes, it'll be days before insurance adjusters get there to file
claims. Photo all damage.
5. Report suspicious activity. Upload pictures of suspects and the situation to the police.
6. "Here's the landmark." Gathering the family is critical. If you don't have a fixed meeting place, send
pictures of where and what you're near so others can find you. This also works well if you're lost in the
wilderness and need to relay pictures of landmarks.
7. "Meet us here." If you have a fixed rendezvous point, send a picture you already have on file so others
will know where to meet.
8. Photo shopping list. When stocking up in anticipation of an emergency, take a picture of your pantry as
a quick shopping list.
9. Driving directions. If you're trying to tell others where a certain location is, send a picture by picture
set of directions.
10. "Meet this person." If your family evacuates, send them a picture of the person they're to meet.
11. Last minute property inventory. Snap quick shots of your property and to show the current condition of
your property.
12. "Adventure" journal. Take pictures to record what you do, where you go and people you meet during
an evacuation.
13. Situational severity. First responders will be overworked. They might not be available for what they
consider a minor situation. Send a picture of how bad things are.
14. Quick text messaging. You might not have time to type a message, and the lines might not be open
long enough for a conversation. Write a note on paper, take a picture and send that.
15. Minor traffic mishap. If told to swap info by authorities, photo the damage, people involved, witnesses
and their tag numbers, and others involved to show their injuries (or lack thereof).
16. Wallet backup. Take pictures of your wallet's contents (or important documents) to record numbers,
and show that cards are or were in your possession. Be careful with this info as it's very sensitive and
can be used for identity theft!
17. Inclement weather reporting. Send a picture to the weather service.
18. First Responder Intel. The more first responders know about an emergency, the more rapid and
appropriate a reaction they can make.
19. Missing persons. Send picture of picture from your wallet.
20. Relay property damage to or from neighbours who return home first.
21. Help insurance adjusters find your property. Take current pictures of landmarks or unique damage
near or at your property.
22. Copy bulletin boards from an emergency shelter.
23. Bus, subway or city map.
24. Document your route.
25. Record medicines or food brands.

26. Record parking spot locations.

27. Engine repairs. Send a picture to a mechanic who may talk you through a quick fix.
28. Business or service function and hours. Copy posted business hours or listed service functions (and
pricing) for later review and recall. You can also report price gouging.
29. Child custodian. If you can't get to your kids at school or other function, relay a picture of the person
who is coming to pick them up.
30. Info on injured or hospitalized people.
31. Hotel room number and location.
32. ID your evac gear. Take a picture to prove ownership.
33. Photo scavenger hunt. Give kids a short list of things they should take a picture of.
34. Identify the close-up. Take a really close up picture of something while the kids aren't looking.
35. Document your whereabouts.
36. ID the rescuer. If a rescuer is picking up your child or pet, photo the rescuer (and the child or pet) and
the vehicle they used, their name tag, registration numbers on helicopters, vehicle tag numbers or
names of boats.
37. Document your cleanup.
38. Document expenditures. In addition to receipts, photograph the goods acquired, equipment being
used, services being performed and the people involved.
39. Property pics for retrieval companies. Some scenarios will see you unable to return home. Property
photos will allow you to identify specific items you'd like retrieved.
40. Evacuee status. Authorities will want to know who is injured, dead or missing, and who is okay and
where they are.
41. Overcome language barriers. Pictures make communication easier.
42. Transmit road conditions.
43. Relay traffic conditions.
44. Crime scene evidence. People have returned to a home undamaged by a disaster, but later looted.
45. Too much on the screen? Should the TV flash pertinent information and you don't have time to write,
take a picture of the screen for later review.
46. ID for doctors or pharmacies.
47. Emergency supply information. If supplies are low, people can send a picture of the types or brands of
items available at different spots.
48. "Last Minute List" items and shutdown. In addition to a written list, create a photo file showing items
you need to take and steps to secure the house before leaving.
49. Evac atlas. Create a "travel atlas" of emergency assets available along evacuation routes.

50. Reaction plan for the reading disabled. “

Summary:
The mobile camera tends to be more popular in terms of use for emergency use. These tend
to be ‘spur-of-the-moment’ scenarios, such as to record insurance damage for claims, or
injuries. Not surprisingly, last minute photos before departing or separating from loved ones
tends to be a popular choice.
Surprisingly, the camera has become a useful tool in navigation, whether it be to show
landmarks and meeting points, or record and reference maps and directions.
Top 14 cameras 2008-2009:
(D Photo journal, 2009, ‘Best digital cameras 2008/2009), http://www.dphotojournal.com/best-8-digital-cameras-
2008-2009/ /, date accessed 07/05/09)

1. Canon ESO 5D Mark II- 21MP with live view

mode (enabling you to see the image before
taking) on its LCD screen. HD video
compatibility with a high resolution of 1080
at 30fps. Has 3.9 fps continuous shoot with
GPS compatibility.

2. Nixon D90- Movie function enabling, HD720p

video output at 23fps. 12.3 megapixels with a
continuous shoot at 4.5fps and autofocus
system.

3. Olympus E-620- 12.3 megapixel, image stabilisers, supersonic wave filter (prevent dust
entering the camera when the lens is
extended). 13 scene select modes, including
underwater modes. Autofocus, shadow
reduction technology and a swivel LCD
screen.

.... **see web link for other cameras**

14.Olympus Stylus 1030 SW- 10 Megapixel, point and

shoot features (auto shoot, flash and stability
features). Shock proof, waterproof, freeze proof;
crush proof and light weight 155g (camera body
only).

Summary:
It appears that the favoured cameras tend to focus more on image and video quality. It seems
it is all about high pixel contents, fast frame rates and basically making the user’s task far
simpler by including stabilizers and anti blur functions. The more popular cameras tend to
have ‘special’ features such as GPS compatibility (enabling tracking of where the photo was
taken) and the ability to take clear images through water.
It appears a common feature to have an LCD screen to display the photo before it is taken.
Lower down the rating of cameras, you get the point and shoot digital cameras which are
simple to use and practically do the job for you. The particular one seen above (Olympus
stylus) has the added durability factor and can even still function after submersion into water.
Top 7 Digital Camera Accessories and extras:
(Michael Carr, 2009, ‘Top 7 Digital Camera Accessories and extras’,
http://cameras.about.com/od/accessories/tp/accessories.htm, date accessed 07/05/09)

1. Camera bag- To protect the camera from knocks and the LCD from scratches. Needs to
be discrete and not too bulky, or have the ability to store extras, such as memory cards
or batteries.
2. Memory cards- To enable a large storage of images. Photo files take up a large
proportion of memory, so larger memory cards are required for larger storage.
3. Camera tripods- There to get rid of the camera shake, and enable a more stable, direct
shot. They are an inconvenience through the shear bulk and size.
4. Photo printer- With digital cameras, it is possible to print images from any household
printer. There are specifically designed printers for photographic quality printouts,
which work on a simple plug in and print.
5. Photo storage device- just like a computer can have an external memory hard drive; it
is possible to purchase a memory storage device which can hold up to 100GB of
images, with the convenience of being small and accepted the multiple memory card
types.
6. Photo editing software- Such software is usually available with the camera the user
purchases. It is possible to purchase more advanced software, such as ‘Adobe
Photoshop’, etc, which will enable digital files or scanned in files, to be altered and
corrected.
7. Digital picture frame- This reduces the need for prints outs, and enables a slide show of
the user’s favourite images on an electronic LCD screen.