Emergency apps in Switzerland: tips on making an emergency call by mobile phone
Emergency apps can be worth their weight in gold in an emergency. Is your phone prepared to use them? Here are five tips and the most important emergency numbers and emergency apps in Switzerland!
04.10.2022
iStock/AndreyPopov
1. Install emergency apps
Emergency and distress call apps can save lives in an emergency. Some are already pre-installed on your smartphone – for example, the emergency pass (see point 4). You can also download others.
You can choose from a wide range of life-saving apps for both iOS and Android devices. Some of these have more extensive options than the pre-installed emergency apps on your mobile phone. Here’s a selection of emergency phone numbers and apps for both Switzerland and abroad:
| App | Operating system | Free of charge | Short description | Functions (not exhaustive) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rega | iOS, Android | Yes | In the event of an accident, transmit the location to the Rega operation centre at the push of a button. | Alert Live Location Sharing Alert for Others |
| EchoSOS | iOS, Android | Yes | Rapid emergency help – worldwide | Emergency numbers Emergency call with location transmission Emergency passport Nearest emergency stations |
| ICE | Android | Yes | Creates a widget on the lock screen that contains important information for emergencies. | Lock Screen Emergency Widget |
| Emergency ID | Android | Yes | Allows you to create medical profiles that are accessible via the lock screen. | Lock screen access to medical data Emergency calls via lock screen Alerting and location transmission Nearby hospitals Compass |
| Emergency help | iOS, Android | Yes | First aid for heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular arrest | Visual and audible instructions for heart and stroke emergencies |
2. Save emergency numbers in your mobile phone
We recommend that you store emergency numbers in your mobile phone – both for Switzerland and abroad. But also the medical hotline of your health insurance company and the hotline of your travel insurance should be on your contact list. This saves time and stress in an emergency.
Important Swiss emergency numbers
| Emergency numbers | Services |
|---|---|
| 117 | Police |
| 118 | Fire brigade |
| 140 | Roadside assistance |
| 143 | Samaritans/Helping Hand |
| 144 | Ambulance |
| 145 | Poison information and advice |
| 147 | Child/adolescent emergency call |
| 163 | Traffic report/travel information |
| 187 | Avalanche bulletin |
| 1414 | Rega mountain rescue |
| 1415 | Mountain rescue |
| 044 261 88 66 | Parent Emergency Call |
| 061 284 81 11 | Tropical Institute |
| 044 211 22 22 | Animal Rescue Service |
Important international emergency numbers
| Emergency numbers | Territory |
|---|---|
| 112 | Europe |
| 911 | USA |
| 999 | UK and former British colonies |
3. Remember emergency alarm button combination
Check your smartphone’s user manual to find out which button combination you can use to automatically place an emergency call – and memorize this combination.
In an emergency, you can alert the emergency services without having to unlock your phone and dial a number.
Instructions for iPhone 8 and newer
Read the detailed instructions for making an emergency call with an iPhone here.
Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons at the same time and wait until the Emergency call SOS slider appears.
Drag the slider to the right to make an emergency call. You can also simply keep the side button and one of the volume buttons held down. Your iPhone will automatically make an emergency call after a countdown.
Android instructions
Press the on/off button on the smartphone at least five times.
A five-second countdown is started. If you want to cancel the process, swipe the Cancel option to the right during the countdown.
After that, the smartphone will carry out the emergency actions you have entered.
Please note that the process depends on the smartphone and android version. Read more on the subject in the instructions for placing an emergency call with an Android smartphone.
4. Fill in mobile phone emergency pass
Most smartphones have an emergency pass pre-installed. There you can store your personal details and medical data such as your blood type or regularly taken medication for an emergency.
You can also store the coordinates of persons who are to be alerted together with the emergency services in the event of an emergency.
Here you will find instructions for Android smartphones.
Here’s a tutorial for iPhones.
5. Show the emergency pass on the lock screen
Be sure to activate the show in lock screen function for your emergency passport (Samsung instructions). This is the only way for strangers or rescue staff to have access to your medical information and your stored emergency contacts in an emergency.
Always reachable even in an emergency
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This article was first published on 27.06.2019
