Frequently Asked Questions
Product Info Questions
This is one of our most common questions.
It’s best to charge the personal alarm while sitting on your bedside table each night. While you may be able to go a couple days between charges, recharging the personal alarm daily is a good habit to get into. Variables that may effect standby time include cell signal strength, programmed options, and of course, usage.
The number depends on which personal alarm you choose. The range is 5-10.
For more information, go to https://dev.guardiansp.com.au/personal-alarm-comparison/
How It Works
The technical name for a personal alarm is ‘Personal Emergency Response System’ (PERS) which is capable of providing 2-way communication over the cell phone network. All personal alarms are capable of providing their GPS location to emergency contacts; people chosen by and known to the user of the personal alarm.
A geo-fence is a virtual perimeter for a geographic area. It is used as a way to identify where you want the personal alarm user to stay in or away from (usually stay in). For example, a geo-fence would be setup around the device user’s home that is triggered when they leave the property. This is especially useful for people who are prone to wandering.
Family Monitored: When the SOS button is pressed, the personal alarm will alert any mobile or landline number that is previously chosen by the user. They are usually family, friends, neighbours, or carers.
Professionally Monitored: When the SOS button is pressed, the personal alarm will alert a 24/7 monitoring company that has the clients’ details on file. They are permitted to summon an ambulance if requested.
For more info, visit: https://dev.guardiansp.com.au/family-friends-vs-professional-monitoring/
Fall Detection technology is still developing. Depending on the model, the unit may play a tune, vibrate or audibly tell you when it senses what may have been a fall. If you feel or hear that the fall alarm has been triggered and you didn’t mean it to, press the SOS button (some personal alarms require a press and hold to cancel). That will abort the emergency texts being sent to the contacts.
If you prefer, the fall detector can always be switched off or on.
Family Monitored: The personal alarm will shortly begin to call the first emergency contact. Depending on which model is chosen, contacts with a mobile number will receive a text message either immediately after the SOS is pressed or after the call is made (sometimes only the emergency contact who answers the phone will receive a text). If the first emergency contact does not answer the phone, the personal alarm will call the next contact. This process continues until an emergency contact answers the phone. We recommend having 000 as the final emergency contact in case no one is answering the call from the personal alarm.
Professionally Monitored: Depending on which model is chosen, the personal alarm either alerts the monitoring company with a message and they will immediately call the user via their safety pendant or the personal alarm calls the monitoring company directly on their landline. The personal alarm user then lets the monitoring company know what is wrong. If it was a false alarm, no need to worry, the personal alarm user needs to just convey this to the monitoring company – they are very understanding!
It won’t. The NBN only effects in-home devices that link with a landline. Your personal alarm has nothing to do with linking to a base station, landline phone, or the NBN.
Yes, you can 000 as your last emergency contact. 000 will always answer your call so you know you will always have access to help. However, 000 are only able to act if you communicate your needs to them. 000 cannot see that the call is coming from a personal alarm. If you are unresponsive, there is a high chance that they will hang up the phone call, assuming that it is an accident or prank. If they are unable to communicate with you but they sense that there is an emergency, they may send a police or ambulance or your residental address (as they will not have access to your current GPS location).
Customer Care Questions
One year from purchase. Should you experience problems with your personal alarm, simply contact our team on (08) 6336 9448 and they will organise to get you working again quickly.
We can remotely make any changes you require. There is no charge for that service.
Mobile Network / SIM Questions
The “G” refers to generation so 3G is the third generation cell network.
The 3G network will soon go the way of vinyl records and video cassettes. The entire 3G network will be shutdown in Australia by mid 2024, though they could bring this date forward.
General Questions
A personal alarm is smaller, lighter and simpler to use. A mobile phone can call anyone and they are designed for frequent use, whereas all personal alarm have a prominent SOS button to call only pre-programmed emergency contacts (i.e., family, friends, neighbours). Some models can be programmed to receive a call from anyone, or only certain people designated by the user.
Most traditional personal alarm have a range of 20-50 metres. They were designed to work primarily within the home. However, all personal alarm work wherever they can pick up a cell signal, just like a mobile phone.
Once we have your order and all of the programming information, your personal alarm will be dispatched within 1-10 business days, depending on how busy we are. We send express post so your personal alarm can arrive as soon as possible.
Yes, you can use your personal alarm anywhere in Australia where there is cell signal Coverage.
Funding from particular groups is on a case by case basis. For example, My Aged Care or NDIS may provide funding for an individual who meets specific criteria. Your family doctor may be able to provide information regarding the various organisations to contact.
For My Aged Care information, go to: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme
Yes, they can hear you and you can hear them in a 2-way conversation.
You can still wear a personal alarm if you have a pacemaker BUT you need to ensure the personal alarm is at least 15cm from the pacemaker. This is because the personal alarm has magnetic components and this may cause issues with pacemakers.
Guardian has long lanyards and adjustable lanyards to cater for people with pacemakers. Wrist straps and belt clips/pouches are also available.
We do not recommend that our clients sleep with the personal alarm on for several reasons:
If you use one of our pendants with a lanyard, this can be a chocking hazard and is not very safe.
However you choose to wear the device (on a lanyard, around the wrist, or other) there is a possibility of false activations due to movement during sleep. It’s possible to trigger the fall detection alarm or press the SOS button.
We recommend you charge the personal alarm at a time that you do not require to use it. This could be while you sleep, while watching tv or when someone is with you. We recommend that you have it charging close by in case you need it.