[pardo]

The way I see it, the "what about emergencies?" argument is not so much about someone in an emergency being able to reach you to ask for help or to inform you.

It's a matter of YOU having a phone to make an emergency call to 911 when/if you have the need.

[evilduck]

Ahh, well I carry a cellphone, but tend not to answer it. Whenever I've had the conversation, it was always about being reached, not making the 911 call.

(Edit: I guess you're personal behavior will probably dictate which conversation you have, reach-ability vs. emergency services).

[sliverstorm]

^ The biggest reason I still carry a phone. I've never once called 911 for myself, but if you find yourself somewhere there are no other phones or people with phones, it can be the single most effective life-saving device in the world.