Panic Switches are one of Dex's many inventions.
Uses[]
When someone presses the gem in the middle of the ring, it alerts Dex that that person is in danger. The first iteration allowed the wearer to signal that they were in danger by pressing the stone in the center. Dex later added the functionality of being able to track where the wearer was without the wearer needing to press the stone.
Dex has mentioned that he is reworking them in order to allow the wearer to specify which type of danger they are in.
History[]
Book 3: Everblaze[]
In Everblaze, Dex gave Sophie a panic switch after class in the locker room, stating that he had been working on it for "a while." Dex made Sophie promise to wear it all the time, saying that he wanted to be sure that she was safe. It was incredibly awkward when Dex gave Sophie the panic switch, as everyone was looking at them.
Keefe later teases her about it, saying, "No wonder Dex gave you a ring. Smart and beautiful."
In Everblaze, Sophie used the ring while Brant was threatening her, with Dex arriving later and helping her defeat Brant.
Book 5: Lodestar[]
In Lodestar, Dex gave panic switches to Biana, Fitz, Tam, and Linh. These panic switches contained stronger trackers, coupled with the ability to track the wearer's location without the wearer needing to push the stone. Dex also stated that he was working on a more specific system — possibly adding the ability to push the stone in four different directions to signify different types of danger.
Book 7: Flashback[]
In Flashback, Sophie used it when she was attacked by Gethen Ondsinn, Ruy Ignis, and Umber. Dex came with Lovise, his bodyguard, and Wylie to save her. After the attack, Dex started thinking about ways to modify the panic switches so that the user is able to send a heads-up about what the danger is.
Description[]
The panic switches all have silver bands with different colors for the stone. Some color choices that Dex used were beige and pink.