From Ring: "Self-Monitoring Self-monitoring is when you monitor the Ring Alarm yourself. When the Alarm Base Station detects a threat, it will only send an alert to your phone and the phones of your Shared Users. (If you have email notifications turned on, it may send an email as well. ) You and your Shared Users can call emergency services if there is a genuine threat, such as a fire, break-in, or another emergency at the home. "