Luisa DanaSOS Emergency

SOS Emergency

SOS Emergency

Immediate steps when something goes wrong while travelling

If something feels wrong while travelling, the first priority is safety, clarity and knowing what to do next.

01

You feel unsafe or threatened

First steps

  • Move toward light, people and open, public places.
  • Call or message someone you trust and share your location.
  • Enter a hotel, shop, pharmacy or restaurant and ask staff for help.
  • Save the local emergency number before you need it.

What to avoid

  • Do not follow someone to a quieter place to resolve the situation.
  • Do not stay somewhere only because leaving feels impolite.
  • Do not dismiss a clear physical reaction of discomfort.

You never need a reason to leave. Discomfort is enough.

02

You are lost or confused

First steps

  • Stop and stand still for a moment instead of walking faster.
  • Find a fixed reference point: a hotel, station, main square.
  • Use an offline map or ask staff inside a business, not on the street.
  • Take a licensed taxi or official ride service back to a known address.

What to avoid

  • Do not accept unsolicited guidance from someone who approaches you.
  • Do not keep walking into progressively quieter streets.
  • Do not let a low phone battery decide your route.

Clarity comes from stopping, not from rushing.

03

You experience theft, assault or a serious incident

First steps

  • Get to a safe place first; possessions can be replaced.
  • Contact local emergency services and, if needed, seek medical care.
  • Notify your embassy or consulate and your insurance provider.
  • Block cards and devices, and write down what happened while it is fresh.

What to avoid

  • Do not chase or confront the person involved.
  • Do not delay a medical check because you feel fine.
  • Do not discard clothing or items that may matter later.

Safety first, documentation second, everything else after.

04

You need to leave a place quickly

First steps

  • Decide your exit before you need it: know the door and the route.
  • Leave calmly and without explanation; a short sentence is enough.
  • Move toward a busy, well-lit area and tell someone where you are going.
  • Arrange transport from inside a safe location, not on the pavement.

What to avoid

  • Do not wait for the situation to justify your decision.
  • Do not go back for belongings that are not essential.
  • Do not share your accommodation address with people you just met.

Leaving early is always cheaper than leaving late.

05

You need help in a foreign country

First steps

  • Contact your embassy or consulate for documents, legal and urgent support.
  • Call your travel insurance emergency line — it operates 24/7.
  • Ask hotel reception or hospital staff to help with language and local process.
  • Keep a written record of names, numbers and reference codes.

What to avoid

  • Do not sign documents you do not understand.
  • Do not rely on a single phone or a single copy of anything.
  • Do not assume help is unavailable because it is late or a weekend.

Knowing who to call is preparation, not pessimism.

The Personal Emergency Pack

A simple, portable set of essentials — prepared once, useful whenever plans change.

Identity & Documents

  • Passport copy
  • ID copy if applicable
  • Travel insurance details
  • Emergency contacts

Health

  • Essential medication
  • Backup supply
  • Medication information
  • Spare glasses if needed

Essentials

  • Power bank
  • Charging cable
  • Basic personal items

Emergency Contacts

  • Trusted family contacts
  • Accommodation details
  • Insurance contacts

Digital Backup

Create a personal backup before you travel.

  • Send yourself an email containing copies of important information before your journey.
  • ✓ Passport and ID copies
  • ✓ Travel insurance details
  • ✓ Emergency contact numbers
  • ✓ Important medical information
  • ✓ Banking and insurance information

Send the documents and key information to your own email address or secure cloud storage, so you can access them even if your phone is lost, damaged or unavailable.

“Preparation is not about expecting something bad to happen. It is about knowing what to do if life changes unexpectedly.”
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