Introduction

Everyone should have an easy way to quickly use their phone or tablet to display their coordinates and the related accuracy value. FindMeSAR provides that feature both online and offline.

The initials "SAR" in the name FindMeSAR mean Search And Rescue. The goal of FindMeSAR is to help make for less search and more rescue. It is intended for use on cell phones and tablets. It will run in the browser on a desktop or laptop computer but the location results are unpredictable.

FindMeSAR is a 'web app' (i.e. Progressive Web App - PWA) and can be installed so it will work offline. It is not available in any app store. The only way to install it is to follow the instructions you see when you open it. Instructions for uninstalling FindMeSAR are provided below.

Requirements

In order to work offline and with good accuracy your device must have a GPS chip. For example, some tablets, including some iPads, do not have a GPS chip.

FindMeSAR will also work on devices that do not have a GPS chip, however, there are limitations. The accuracy of the coordinates will be poor. Instead of the GPS accuracy of about 15 feet, the accuracy will typically be several hundred feet or several thousand feet. Also, since devices without a GPS chip cannot get any location data from the satellites, they need to get location data from some other source in order to report any coordinates. Those other data sources might be cell towers, wi-fi hotspots, bluetooth and the user's IP address. If there is no location data at all then the device will display a message indicating that location services are not available or have been halted.

How to install

1. Open a browser and go to https://findmesar.com. Caution! If you open FindMeSAR by tapping a link in a social media post, then you might be opening a browser that is built-in to that social media app. If that built-in browser does not support 'service worker' coding then you will be able to open FindMeSAR and see your coordinates but you will not be able to install FindMeSAR for offline use.

2. The first time you open FindMeSAR you will see a dialog asking if you want to install it. Do not answer 'Yes'. Instead, add the FindMeSAR icon to your homescreen. Android browsers might call this step 'Install the app'.

3. Close the browser tab where you opened FindMeSAR.

4. Tap the FindMeSAR screen icon to open it.

5. Tap 'Yes' to install so it will work offline.

Open source

Anyone can view the source code by opening FindMeSAR with a browser on their desktop or laptop and then using the browser's tools to see the source code. Anyone that can read code can look at the source code and confirm that FindMeSAR does not have any evil intent.

Offline features

FindMeSAR uses the GPS chip in your device and data from satellites to determine your location. Usually in well less than a minute the accuracy value will be about 15 feet.

The "Next format" button loops through a number of coordinate formats each of which uses a different colored screen. If you install FindMeSAR then the format on your screen when you close this web app will be the same format you see the next time you open it.

Tip: In the USA the best coordinate format to give a 911 dispatcher is latitude longitude in decimal degrees. The FindMeSAR yellow screen displays that format.

When the accuracy value is 100 feet (~30.5 meters) or less then a button is displayed that will copy the coordinates and accuracy value to the clipboard. You can then paste that data into an email or text message. The accuracy value is just as important as the coordinates!

Tip: If you only have a weak connection to a cell tower then you still might be able to send a plain text. Do not send photos. Only send plain text. You can paste in your coordinates and accuracy value from the clipboard.

Online features

If it is not already installed on your device then when you browse to findmesar.com you see instructions for how to install it so it will work offline.

If you are in the USA, then when you tap "Stop" your elevation will be displayed after a few seconds.

Tapping "Display map" will launch the GISsurfer web map in your browser with a marker at your current location. If you want to send that same map link to someone then tap "Menu > Link to this map". The link that is displayed will replicate the map you see. This map displays data, including trails, based on Open Street Map (OSM) and will work any place there is internet access.

If a new version of FindMeSAR is available then when you open FindMeSAR you will see a message and have the option to install the new version.

iOS location services

Settings > Privacy > Location services.
Make sure location services are 'on'.
Still on the same screen, scroll down and tap "Safari websites". This needs to be "While using the app". Do not select "Ask next time or when I share".

Settings > Safari. Scroll down to the section "Settings for websites" and tap "Location". This setting needs to be either "Ask" or "Allow".

Android location services

Settings > Location
Make sure location services are 'on'.
Still on the same screen, tap "App permissions". Chrome needs to be "Allowed all the time" or "Allowed only while in use".

Settings > Apps > Chrome > Permissions > Location. This needs to be "Allow only while using the app" or "Ask every time".

Almanac data

Assume you are some place with no cell coverage and you want to use FindMeSAR to get your location. Your cell phone must have a current copy of the satellite almanac data. Normally your phone automatically downloads that data quickly from cell towers and you never need to think about it. But if (1) you have traveled to a different area or (2) the GPS feature in your phone has been off for the last 2 weeks or so, then your phone might need to update the almanac data before FindMeSAR can start to determine your location.

Good news: Your phone will download the almanac data from the satellites.
Bad news: This takes about 20 minutes due to the slow transmission rate.

Put your phone in the upright (portrait) position someplace that it has a good view of the sky. After about 20 minutes FindMeSAR will start to display coordinates. It might take another few minutes to get a good (i.e. low) accuracy value.

How to uninstall

Deleting the screen icon will uninstall FindMeSAR. After uninstalling it will not work offline. Here is how to make sure the files are deleted from your device.

iOS
Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website data
Search for FindMeSAR and note the amount of storage used.
Cancel the search
Scroll down to FindMeSAR. The entries are sorted by size.
Tap 'edit'
Delete FindMeSAR

Android - Chrome
These are general instructions. If this does not work for you then try a google search: Chrome for Android clear application cache (your phone model).
Settings > Apps (or Applications) > Chrome > Storage > Manage storage > Manage > FindMeSAR > Clear and reset.

Terms of use

By using FindMeSAR you agree that you are doing so entirely at your own risk. You further agree that you will not make any kind of claim or file any lawsuit against the developer of this software.

Privacy policy

The FindMeSAR web app does not retain your location data and does not share your location data with anyone. FindMeSAR does not collect any personally identifiable information.

Donate
If you would like to donate you can do so through PayPal. All you need is a credit card.

Contact

FindMeSAR is a public service web app from MappingSupport.com. To contact Joseph Elfelt, the developer, open the mappingsupport homepage, then just under the heading "About and contact", click "Read summary". You will see an email link.