A co-worker and I typically take a walk around 2PM each day threw the Skywalk of downtown Cincinnati.  This past Wednesday there was a lady that collapsed in the Skywalk as we walked.  She was with two other co-workers who caught her and she seemed to go in and out of consciousness.  I asked one of her co-workers if I should call an ambulance and they concurred and mentioned that non-of them had a cell phone with them.

I quickly pulled out my handy IPhone 3G and dialed 911.  I got the typical screen that said "911 Calling..." and that is where things started going horrible wrong!! 

The phone just stayed on that screen and there was no ringing, or connection made, it just sat there on "911 Calling...". 

I hit "End Call" and tried again. 
Same Result. 
I tried a third time noting that I had full bars. 
Same Result. 

At this point I realized the call was NOT going to work. So I ran down the Skywalk to the nearest place that had a Phone which was a Greek restaurant called Mythos and quickly asked for a phone to call 911.

The call was quickly answered and medical help was dispatched quickly.  By this time a former fire fighter had passed by and started CPR on her.  After the medical team arrived it was clear they were going to need some privacy as they worked on her and me and my co-worker left the scene knowing we had done all we could, which I wish was more.

The next day while we walked, I stopped in the same spot and tried making a call back to my house and then my desk to see if maybe it was just a bad cell phone spot (even though it shows full bars).  Both calls worked perfectly with no problems. 

Later that day another co-worker ate at Mythos and over heard some of the restaurant staff talking about it and enquired.  He learned that the lady I had called 911 for passed away and that it was a heart attack she had suffered.

I can't help but wonder if the 30 seconds or so that was wasted trying to call 911 from my IPhone could have made a difference and where the problem lies in not getting a connection.  Has anyone else called 911 successfully from an IPhone?  It's not like I can make a test call and say, oh I just wanted to make sure this worked from my cell phone.

I've been wanting an IPhone for months now but decided to wait till the next generation came out.  So for the IPhone 3G launch day I took off work and went early to my local AT&T store in Florence, KY.  I really didn't think I'd have to get there early as this isn't exactly the center of technology here in KY.  I arrived 1 hour before the store opened only to find a line wrapped around the store.  After waiting in line 3 hours I get up to the door and the guy before me gets the LAST phone!!!

So then I drive 30 miles up to the closest Apple store and there was an estimated 5 HOUR wait!!! Plus they couldn't promise anything on the stock, so I left thinking I could try again on Saturday.  I had to watch my daughter Saturday since my wife had a hair appointment, so after get her breakfast I got to the store 30 mins after they opened.  There where two people in line, and the guy in front of me got the last phone again.  So I thought I'd try the Apple store again being the day after maybe it had died down, I was wrong; they said it was at least a 3 hour wait.  My daughter is way to young for that sorta wait.

Looks like my IPhone dream will have to wait till later....

This picture below is from the ATT&T store in Florence after waiting about 2 hours in line towards the front of the buidling...