Emergency Assistance

Emergency assistance - Foreign & Commonwealth Office, British Embassy What You Can Expect

S.O.S Time!

Any British national who finds themselves in hot water abroad - and we don't mean swimming with the turtles in Barbados - should contact the nearest British Embassy. They're open 24-7.

If there's no British rep, get in touch with the nearest EU Mission instead.

The first thing they'll ask you to do is contact your relatives and friends back home.

Your relatives/friends are supposed to organise your return home, if you can't do it yourself.

All shook up

The embassy will give you the exact same advice if a natural disaster happens - you get caught up in an earthquake, say.

The British consul will only take action in life-or-death scenarios - death abroad, serious accidents and illnesses, arrests and detentions, or if you're at risk of physical harm.

Forewarned is forearmed

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website has information on Consular Services and exactly what you're expected to do yourself.

Check out the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's site (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) site for advice including "Security and General Tips" in the "While You Are There" link.

24-hour FCO helpline

Your holiday travel insurance package should include a 24-hour emergency service and telephone advice line with a friendly voice at the end of the phone to explain your troubles to and hopefully sort it all out.

Take a copy of the insurance policy with you, and a note of the emergency phone number.