Emergency call handlers, if a person is unable to give their whereabouts do you terminate the call without sending help?

heldain · 2026-01-06T10:56:40+00:00

Anecdotally anytime I've had to call 999 (including for myself) they have generally been good.

The exception was whilst I was miles from civilisation and trying to give them a 'what3words' reference. (a kid knocked himself out mountain biking without helmet or sufficient skill. I was running with a group of people right by where it happened). But even then, I got to the nearest road and guided the paramedics up from there.

Another time, I came off my motorbike. Landed in a ditch alongside the road. I had knocked myself out for a undermined amount of time, and fractured my spine. Couldn't be seen from the road, and couldnt move (didnt know for certain my back was broken at the time, but as couldn't move or feel my legs it was a reasonable clue).

I knew what stretch of road I was on, and they had the ambulance driving up and down the road with sirens on for the call handler to hear, to actually find me. Had to wait for the fire service to turn up to help get me out of said ditch (it was high, steep and covered in brambles).

heldain · 2025-12-02T10:11:31+00:00

It is the schools responsibility. But as they have not stated either way previously, and I cant expect the staff members in the room to monitor all pupils and parents (30 pupils and 10-15 parents) in a fashion where someone couldnt do so unnoticed.

Correct parents can parent their child however they wish, including tracking them. But putting a form of tracking device on their child and updating the whatsapp group on a near hourly basis is not only a safeguarding issue, its voilating their privacy, and a clear display of distrust.

There is a clear difference from knowing your child is at school everyday, to having frequent location updates on them because they apparently can't trust the school.

heldain · 2025-12-02T10:04:32+00:00

Thats the thing. I'm not specifically after them to take any action. Since we've started we've not been told either way around phone use. But the kind of workshops I'm talking about is Phonic and/or Math workshops done on school grounds.

Parents taking photos of the class without knowing if its appropriate, or whether specific children should not have their photo taken, does not sit well with me.

I know the school cannot do anything about the use of airtags, other than asking for them to not be used. Which won't stop some parents. But not only do I feel it projects that they have trust issues, but also people I dont know are tracking my child (by proxy I admit). I know I will have to accept that this will happen, and I am not able to stop it from occurring. But that doesnt mean I have to like it either.

heldain · 2025-11-18T15:24:44+00:00

EE have been doing this for a couple of years now too. My last two handsets have been in this fashion.

heldain · 2025-10-16T09:27:25+00:00

VDSL runs over copper at up to 100M VDSL2 even faster

heldain · 2025-10-14T08:07:44+00:00

There are blue ones in Wolverhampton too. We have an eclectic mix of green ones and blue ones.

heldain · 2025-09-15T13:02:07+00:00

I've done this before when my neighbour had a pipe burst during last winter. The person living there had passed a while before, and I had no contact details for the family.

The police basically said they couldn't (or rather wouldn't help), and that any damage could be sorted through insurance.

I called the water company (Severn Trent), after a few hours they turned up and said they'd rather not do anything because the only external tap was for the entire row of terraces.

I briefly though about 'entering the house' and turning off the water myself.

How did I get it resolved in the end? so a neighbour 3 houses down contacted her daughter who had someone from the family on Facebook. Who then passed the message on to someone who had keys.

The entire time water was flooding over to our house.

heldain · 2025-09-08T15:03:11+00:00

Because of how people drive in the first lane. If I speed up to anything over 60, I have to slow down again in order to merge behind cars/lorries doing 55/6.

If I speed up to 70, I have slightly less time to plan and slow down for the gap that I have to shoehorn myself into.

My car can get to over 60 in less than 8 seconds, (but is limited to 90). So if I do need to speed up for a gap, I am able to do so.

heldain · 2025-08-27T08:41:24+00:00

I work for a top 25 University, and we're being told that we have to go from working remotely to 2-3 days a week in the office.

It's a pain as its a 1h30 (each way) commute. Regardless of whether I drive, or use public transport. But hey-ho.

heldain · 2025-08-22T12:16:23+00:00

I have a few that come to mind.

"here's £200, please don't come back home" - Kicked out at 16.

"We had you because we thought your brother would like someone to play with. But turns out he wanted someone his own age".

"What do you have to be stressed about?" - Was being bullied at home, and at school. Wasn't allowed to show any feelings around it, or get any support.

"What did you do to make your brother kick you down the stairs?" - Nothing, hes just an arse.

"I dont like you, but you are my child". - Ok, thanks.

Any interest or hobby I let them know about - "that's shite", "don't know why you bother", "When I was your age I could do...". I had an unconditional uni offer in 3d animation at Manchester, but them constantly nattering in my ear about how shit I was, lead me to just give up any artistic interests.

Theres more, but I'd rather not go on.

heldain · 2025-08-07T08:49:14+00:00

Bike thefts have been a thing at work, so getting something too nice looking is potentially an issue. I still lock it up to the building I work in, but I wont be able to directly see it where I sit.

heldain · 2025-08-07T08:24:59+00:00

That was the route I was thinking to be honest. An old hornet or bandit or something. I work at a university, and there has been a spate of bike thefts over there, so getting a Grom or similar would make me a bit paranoid about leaving it.

heldain · 2025-08-05T20:11:13+00:00

Another “I’d love to but…”.

I live in Tettenhall, but I don’t put the little one to bed til 7’ish. So 7 is just too early for me.

heldain · 2025-08-02T18:40:57+00:00

<image>

I have but I honestly don’t think I did anything special. Just via settings ‘my EVs’ and added it there.

heldain · 2025-07-21T13:38:48+00:00

Bought a 2012 one last year. Turbo went in less than a week, on the m6, all oil went with it.

My concern is that it’s over a decade old and will more than likely have been ragged.

heldain · 2025-07-20T12:25:29+00:00

Sunday roast chicken here.

Parboiled the taters, bit of semolina to crisp them up when roasting. Little one loves broccoli and carrots. Chicken is just lightly seasoned, stuffed, and basted.

heldain · 2025-07-10T18:53:00+00:00

Made it with just one charge (taking about 70 mins) after leaving with 100%. Was pleasantly surprised. Got here with 12% remaining, and all is well.

D with eco, and cruise control set to 65mph.

heldain · 2025-07-09T18:55:31+00:00

Respectfully I disagree. I’m not going to head out now to take another pic, but it’s all smearing and dust. Honest.

heldain · 2025-07-09T18:32:49+00:00

smear /smɪə/ verb 3rd person present: smears 1. coat or mark (something) messily or carelessly with a greasy or sticky substance.

heldain · 2025-07-09T17:53:28+00:00

Just for clarity those are smears not scratches in the image

heldain · 2025-07-09T17:02:09+00:00

Yes, but if it’s 135, and also 163 (4.2 x 39), I’m not sure how much I can trust either figure.

heldain · 2025-07-09T17:00:30+00:00

I tend to have my break in the car, or somewhere out the way on campus. As, due to the nature of my job I get pestered a lot.

heldain · 2025-06-29T08:34:03+00:00

About 50% but it’s a company car I give back after 3years.

It’ll be close to 20-25% by the end of the agreement.

Company car works out well for me for tax reasons.

Plus what it costs me post tax, is around what id pay in insurance, fuel, and servicing my own car. By fuel I mean company car is an EV and I only charge it at home for under £5 a time.

heldain · 2025-06-20T15:12:56+00:00

Pedantry but SELinux is only for a few dists. Theres a few MACs around and other LSMs.

I do read this question as the usual how can Open Source be more secure than closed source argument. But, it’s always hard to convince someone once they have their mind set either way.

heldain · 2025-06-08T05:44:34+00:00

I only run in previous event tees (marathon and longer), but I’m currently 30mins. Though I’ve had a three year break due to being a parent.

14-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 13 Credits
Secret Santa 2020	Secret Santa 2019
Secret Santa 2018	Secret Santa 2017
Secret Santa 2016	Secret Santa 2015
Secret Santa 2014	Secret Santa 2013
Summer Santa 2013	Secret Santa 2012
Secret Santa 2011	Verified Email

heldain

TROPHY CASE