I find threads like this a great reminder to not only me but to everyone that a little preparation can save a lot of trouble, possibly your life or some one elses.
I have a health condition so a lot of my back country time is limited to being on the edges of no mans land. I like to keep myself close to people, but not so close that I can hear or see them. Many places that I go my wife won't go to as she says that they are "to remote" but in the course of a day I see usually a dozen people on all sorts of vehicles. One time she was freaking out that we were to remote when we walked over a rise to see 10 RV's and 30 or 40 people. This gives some security and safety.
Even with the people around I always try to leave a schedule even if it is a little rough. I also have a CB but it is pretty useless as there are few people around where I go that would have one.
I also have a smart phone and do have texting ability (as mentioned before a text can send even when voice calls do not). I also have Motorola Alert installed where it can send an emergency alert text message, a meet me or a follow me message - seeing this was free it is great to have installed as a back up.
On Edit...
I forgot to mention that dialing 911 when you are out of cell range can get you help. The call may get through and with tracing abilities emergency services can find you even if you cannot communicate by talking. BUT this is not to be relied on as it may or may not work. If I was in a predicament I would give it a shot if the other solutions were not working, or if I did not know if they were working.
On another note: You do need to keep your phone charged when out in the bush, does no good to have a phone with a dead battery.
