If you expect to be kidnapped, quick response would be helpful. But if you're planning for unexpected death, there's no real need to get that out in less than 48 hours; it can easily be 15 days of inactivity followed by 15 days of failing to respond to probes.
Where I live (less than an hour from Seattle), I have had power outages longer than the proposed death countdown, my DSL goes down immedidately without utility power, and the cell towers only stay online for 4-6 hours. If it starts while I'm awake, I'll let people know, but if it starts at midnight, I might be out of communication until it's over.
Where I live (less than an hour from Seattle), I have had power outages longer than the proposed death countdown, my DSL goes down immedidately without utility power, and the cell towers only stay online for 4-6 hours. If it starts while I'm awake, I'll let people know, but if it starts at midnight, I might be out of communication until it's over.