Ui fakavavevave ki ha telefoni mate pe si'isi'i hono 'uhila .¶

When you need help fast and your battery is at 2 percent, every second counts. A phone that is nearly flat can still make an emergency call, and a phone that is completely dead is not the end of your options. People, payphones, public buildings and some built in phone features can all connect you to emergency services.

This guide explains what to do in the first 30 seconds, how to stretch the last of your battery, how to text emergency services where that is available, and how to get someone else to call for you. It also covers emergency SOS features, payphones and call boxes, and how to prepare so that you never depend on a single phone. If the problem is simply that you need power, see phone battery dies while you are out.

Fai ʻeni he taimí ni .¶

1. Make the call first, not last. If you have any charge at all and need emergency help, call your local emergency number straight away (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom). Do not spend your last percent on a map, a photo or a message to a friend. See the list of ngaahi fika fakavavevave mo e ngaahi fonua kehe.
2. Say where you are in the first sentence. Give the address, the nearest cross street, a landmark or a road marker. If the call drops, the dispatcher will know where to send help.
3. Stay on the line until told to hang up. Do not end the call yourself. If the phone shuts off, do not panic, because the dispatcher already has your location details and may try to call back.
4. If the phone is dead, ask a person to call. Say, "Please call for an ambulance," or "Please call the police," then give them the location and what has happened.
5. Go to people or a staffed place. Walk toward a shop, hotel, station, restaurant or houses with lights on if it is safe to do so. Staff can call for you, and you are easier for responders to find.
6. Stay where you can be found if you cannot move. If you are injured, in a vehicle or lost, stay put and make yourself visible and audible.

How an emergency call works on a weak phone¶

Understanding a few facts will help you decide what to do when the battery is low.

• An emergency call uses little more power than any other call. A call of a minute or two uses a small slice of battery. A phone at 1 or 2 percent can often finish a short call, though not always.
• Phones try any available network for emergency calls. In many countries, a phone with no signal from its own provider will try other networks for an emergency call. This is sometimes called emergency roaming. Coverage is not guaranteed, and it depends on the country and the local networks.
• A phone may call without a working SIM card or plan. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires wireless carriers to pass on 911 calls from any wireless phone, even if it has no active service plan. The same idea applies in many countries through the 112 standard. Do not rely on it, but it is worth trying.
• A locked phone can still call. Most phones show an "Emergency" button on the lock screen. You do not need your passcode.
• Location is sent with the call in many places. Dispatchers in many countries receive an approximate location from the phone automatically. This can be wrong or missing, so always say where you are.
• Weather, buildings and distance matter. A call from a basement, a tunnel, a canyon or a remote area may not connect. Moving to higher or more open ground can help.

Stretching the last of the battery¶

When the percentage is very low and you may need to call, protect what is left. These steps take under a minute and can add many minutes of use.

1. Turn on low power mode or battery saver. It reduces background activity and screen power. Most phones offer this in the control panel or settings.
2. Dim the screen to the lowest level that you can read. The display is one of the biggest drains.
3. Close apps that use location, video or streaming. Navigation and camera apps drain power quickly.
4. Turn off Bluetooth, hotspot and Wi-Fi if you are not using them. Keep mobile signal on, because you need it to call.
5. Do not switch on airplane mode if you need to call. Airplane mode turns off the radio. Use it only to save power when you do not need to call, and turn it off before dialling.
6. Keep the phone warm. In cold weather, put it in an inside pocket. A cold phone can shut down with plenty of charge left.
7. Limit calls and messages to what matters. Keep each one short.
8. Do not restart the phone. Starting up uses a burst of power and may fail at low charge.

Calling versus texting emergency services¶

A voice call is the best and fastest way to reach emergency services in most situations. Dispatchers can ask questions, hear background noise and guide you through first aid. Text is a backup that is only available in some places.

Text to emergency services¶

Some countries and regions let you send an SMS or text to emergency services, mainly for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, and for situations where speaking is unsafe. Text can also work when a signal is too weak for a voice call, because a short text needs less signal than a call.

• United States. Text to 911 is available in many areas but not all. The FCC says to call if you can and text if you cannot, and to check whether your local area supports it. If it is not supported, you should receive a bounce back message saying so.
• United Kingdom. The emergency SMS service lets people who are deaf or have a speech impairment text 999, but you must register your phone first. Register in advance by texting "register" to 999 and following the reply. This is also called the 999 text service. A registered phone can then send a text to 999 if it has signal.
• European Union. Many member states offer an SMS option to 112, often for people with hearing or speech difficulties, and the rules vary by country. Check the national emergency services website for your country before you travel.
• Other countries. Availability varies widely. Check your national emergency agency or telephone regulator.

Most emergency text services need you to include your location and the type of help you need, in short plain words. For example: "Fire at 14 Oak Street, third floor, two people inside." Avoid abbreviations, and answer any questions quickly. Do not send photos or emoji.

When texting is better than calling¶

• You are in a situation where speaking aloud would put you at risk.
• You are deaf, hard of hearing or unable to speak.
• The signal is very weak, and voice calls keep dropping.
• The call connects but the dispatcher cannot hear you.

In each case, use text only if you know it is available where you are. If not, try a call first.

Silent calls¶

In some places, if you call the emergency number and cannot speak, the operator may ask you to press a key or tap the screen to show that you need help. In the United Kingdom, you can use the Silent Solution by calling 999 and pressing 55 when prompted if you cannot speak, though it applies to mobile callers only and the operator will tell you what to do. Local rules differ, so do not rely on this in another country.

Emergency SOS features on your phone¶

Modern phones include a few features that can help when you are in trouble.

• Emergency SOS shortcut. On many phones, pressing the side button several times quickly, or a combination of buttons, opens an emergency screen or calls the emergency number. Check your phone's settings to see how it works, and practise once so that you know. Some phones also send your location to saved contacts after the call.
• Satellite emergency messaging. Certain recent phones can send an emergency message by satellite when there is no mobile or Wi-Fi signal. It works only in supported countries, needs a clear view of the sky, and usually takes longer than a regular call. Check your manufacturer's website to see if your phone and region are supported.
• Medical ID and emergency contacts. A medical ID on the lock screen shows allergies, conditions and contacts to first responders without a passcode. Fill it in now, because it can help rescuers.
• Crash detection and fall detection. Some phones and watches can detect a serious crash or a hard fall and start an emergency call. A false alarm can happen, so stay on the line to cancel.
• Location sharing. You can share your live location with a family member or friend in a messaging or maps app. It helps people find you, though it uses battery.

None of these features replaces a charged phone, but they add options. Test your own phone's settings when you are calm. See also Apple Watch and Garmin medical alert and fall detection setup.

Getting someone else to call for you¶

This is the most reliable option when your phone is dead. Most people will help in an emergency, and a few clear words make it easier.

What to say¶

Speak slowly and plainly. Give the person two or three facts and one request.

1. State the emergency. "A man has collapsed." "There is a fire." "I have been in a crash."
2. Give the exact location. The street, a building name, a road marker or a landmark.
3. Make the request. "Please call your local emergency number now and tell them where we are."
4. Kole ange ke nau nofo. "'E lava ke ke nofo 'i he laine 'o talamai 'a e me'a 'oku nau lea'aki?"

Who to ask¶

• Anyone walking, driving or standing nearby. Look for people with phones in their hands.
• Staff in shops, restaurants, hotels, gyms, petrol stations and pharmacies.
• Drivers who pull over and security guards.
• Transit staff and station attendants. Many stations have help points and emergency buttons.
• Residents of nearby homes. If it is safe, knock on a door and ask them to call, and stay outside if you do not know them.
• Another vehicle at a roadside. Wave for attention from a safe place on the verge, not in the traffic lane.

If one person refuses or does not understand, ask someone else. Language barriers happen, so point, gesture and use simple words such as "ambulance", "police" or "fire". The word "help" is understood in many languages, and the number 112 is known across much of the world.

Safety when asking strangers¶

If you are hurt or in danger, the need for help outweighs the risk of asking. Even so, stay in public view and avoid going into a stranger's car or home. If you feel unsafe, ask them to make the call from where they stand, and keep your distance from anyone who makes you uneasy. A shop or a busy public place is safer than a quiet street.

Payphones, call boxes and help points¶

Payphones have declined in many countries, but they have not disappeared, and some are still in use in stations, hospitals, airports, rural roads and remote communities.

• Emergency numbers are usually free. In many countries, a payphone will connect to the emergency number without coins or a card. This is not true everywhere, so look for instructions on the phone.
• Highway call boxes. Many motorways, bridges and tunnels have emergency telephones or call boxes. They connect straight to a traffic control or emergency centre and give your location automatically. Look for posts at regular intervals along the road.
• Rail and metro help points. Stations usually have intercoms or help points that connect to staff. Look for a button marked "Help" or "Emergency".
• Lift and car park intercoms. Elevators, parking garages and public toilets often have a call button.
• Phone boxes in remote areas. Rural phone boxes or emergency shelters may be the only option, so note where they are on your route.
• Walk to the nearest one only if it is safe. If someone is badly hurt, do not leave them alone unless there is no other choice. Send a second person if you can.

Buildings and services that can help¶

A dead phone is a good reason to go indoors to a staffed place. These locations can place a call, or let you use a phone.

Decision guide¶

Use this quick chart to decide what to do when you need help and your phone is not working well.

flowchart TD
    A["You need emergency help"] --> B{"Does the phone turn on?"}
    B -- "ʻIo" --> C["Dial your local emergency number now"]
    B -- "ʻIkai" --> D{"Is a person nearby?"}
    C --> E{"Does the call connect?"}
    E -- "ʻIo" --> F["State your location first and stay on the line"]
    E -- "ʻIkai" --> G["Move to open ground or try a text if available"]
    D -- "ʻIo" --> H["Ask them to call and give the exact location"]
    D -- "ʻIkai" --> I["Go to a shop, station or lit building"]
    G --> D
    H --> J["Stay visible and wait for responders"]
    I --> J
    F --> J

Staying safe while you wait for help¶

After the call is made, the next few minutes matter. Do what you can to keep yourself and others safe and easy to find.

• Stay where you told the dispatcher you are. Moving can make it harder for responders to find you. If you must move for safety, tell the dispatcher or a helper.
• Ngaohi ke ke 'asi. Tu'u ofi ki ha maama, faka'ilonga hala pe ko ha hū'anga 'o ha fale. Lulululu ha meʻa ʻoku ngingila pe fakaʻaongaʻi ha maama kapau ʻoku fakapoʻuli.
• Fai ke ke fanongo. Ko ha ifi pe ko ha leʻo leʻolahi ʻe lava ke tokoni ia ki he kau fakahaofi moʻuí ke nau ʻiloʻi koe, ʻi ha ʻakau, fale pe ko ha feituʻu ʻoku tāfea.
• Tauhi ke mafana mo momoko. 'Ufi'ufi 'aki ha kote, palanikete pe ko ha kato. Malu'i koe mei he momoko, vela pe 'uha.
• Fekau ha taha ki he hala. Kapau 'oku ke 'i ha fale mama'o pe ko ha koloa 'oku loloa 'a e me'alele, kole ki ha tokoni ke ne tatali 'i he hala ke ne tataki 'a e kau tali.
• Vakava e matapaá pea tutu e ngaahi māmá. Kapau ʻokú ke ʻi ʻapi pea ʻoku ʻi ha hala ha taha, ʻai ke faingofua ki he kau talitalí ke nau hū mai.
• Muimui ki he fakahinohino 'a e dispatcher. Kapau 'oku ke kei lava 'o talanoa mo kinautolu, fanongo lelei pea fai 'a e me'a 'oku nau lea'aki.

Ako maʻuloto ʻa e ngaahi fika ʻoku mahuʻingá .¶

Ko ho'o ngaahi fetu'utaki 'oku 'i ho'o telefoni, 'a ia ko e me'a tofu pe ia na'e 'ikai lava. Ko e tokolahi taha ‘o e kakaí ‘oku nau ‘ilo‘i pē honau fika pē ‘onautolú pea mahalo ko ha taha kehe. Fakaleleiʻi ia kimuʻa ʻi he fakatuʻutāmaki hokó.

1. Ako 'a e fika fakavavevave fakalotofonua ki he feitu'u 'oku ke nofo ai mo e feitu'u 'oku ke fononga ai. 'Oku fa'a fika tolu.
2. Mauloto ha ongo fika telefoni ma'ae kakai 'oku ke falala ki ai. Fili ha taha 'oku ofi atu pea taha 'i ha kolo pe fonua kehe. Leaʻaki leʻolahi kinautolu ʻi ha ngaahi taimi siʻi, pea hiki kinautolu ʻi ha kaati.
3. Tauhi ha kaati pepa 'i ho'o kato pa'anga pe kato. Fakakau 'a e ngaahi hingoa, fika, ho tu'asila, ngaahi me'a 'oku ke sai'ia ai, ngaahi tu'unga fakafaito'o mo ha fetu'utaki 'i tu'a mei he feitu'u. ʻemau generator kaati fetu'utaki fakavavevave ʻe lava ke tokoni.
4. Ako'i 'a e fanau ki he fika 'o 'enau matu'a mo honau tu'asila 'api. Fakahoko 'aki ha telefoni va'inga. Sio tamasi'i mole mo e me'a ke fai kapau 'e mole ha ki'i tamasi'i.
5. Tohi fika 'i loto 'i ha kato, puha telefoni pe 'i ha fo'i 'uhiki 'i he taimi 'oku ke fononga ai. Ngaue'aki ha peni, 'o 'ikai ko ha faka'ilonga 'oku mole.
6. 'Ilo'i ho'o fika 'a'au. 'Oku ngalo ia 'i he kakai tokolahi, pea 'e fiema'u nai ia 'e ha taha muli ke ne toe telefoni mai kiate koe.
7. 'Ilo'i ho tu'asila mo e hala kolosi ofi taha. 'I he taimi 'oku ke mama'o ai mei 'api, ako 'a e hingoa 'o e hotele pe feitu'u 'oku ke nofo ai.

Ki ha lisi kakato ʻo e teuteu ki he fonongá, lau ʻa e . mateuteu telefoni kimu'a he fononga.

Teuteuʻi ʻa e telefoní kimuʻa peá ke fie maʻú .¶

Ko ha ngaahi sitepu setup si'isi'i 'oku miniti pea 'e lava ke fakahaofi ho'o mo'ui.

• Mo'ui 'a e fakanounou SOS fakavavevave pea fakahoko hono fakaava tu'o taha. Kumi 'a e setting 'i he malu'i pe menu fakavavevave 'o ho'o telefoni.
• Fakafonu ho'o ID fakafaito'o pea tanaki atu mo e ngaahi fetu'utaki fakavavevave. Fakapapau'i 'oku lolotonga 'a e ngaahi fakaikiiki.
• Faka'ata 'a e ngaahi sevesi 'o e feitu'u ki he ngaahi ui fakavavevave. Ko e lahi taha 'o e ngaahi telefoni 'oku nau fai 'eni 'i he default, pea 'oku 'ikai totonu ke ke tamate'i ia.
• Lesisita ki he sevesi SMS fakavavevave kapau 'oku kaunga ia kiate koe. 'I he Pule'anga Fakatahataha, lesisita 'aki ha'o text "register" ki he 999. Vakai'i 'a e sevesi 'a ho fonua ki he founga ke fakamo'oni hingoa ai.
• Tauhi ho'o telefoni ke fakafo'ou. 'Oku fa'a fakalelei'i 'e he ngaahi fakafo'ou 'o e polokalama fakakomipiuta 'a e ngaahi me'a fakavavevave mo e feitu'u.
• 'Ave ha power bank. Ko ha ki'i me'a si'isi'i 'oku ne 'oatu ha toe totongi 'e taha.
• Ako ki he founga hono ngaue'aki 'o e founga vakapuna, founga malohi ma'ulalo mo e maama. Mahalo te ke fie ma'u kotoa 'a e tolu 'i he taimi pe 'e taha.
• 'Ilo'i 'e lava ke ngaue 'a e ngaahi ui SIM less ka 'oku 'ikai ma'u pe. 'Oua 'e falala ki ha telefoni motu'a 'oku 'ikai ha SIM tukukehe kapau kuo ke sivi'i ia 'i ho feitu'u.

Ngaahi tu‘unga makehe .¶

‘I ha kā pe ‘i he halá .¶

Kapau kuo maumau pe fakatuʻutāmaki hoʻo kaá, hiki ki ha feituʻu malu kapau ʻe lava, fakamoʻui hoʻo ngaahi maama fakatuʻutāmakí pea fakaʻaongaʻi ha puha telefoni ʻi he veʻe halá pe ko ha telefoni ʻa ha fakaʻuli ʻoku fakalaka atu. Ko e ngaahi kā fo‘ou lahi ange ‘oku ‘i ai ha‘anau pātene fakavavevave pe ko ha ui fakatu‘utāmaki ‘otomētiki ‘oku fehokotaki ki he ngaahi ngāue fakavavevavé, ko ia vakai‘i ‘a e tohi lēsoni ‘a ho‘o kaá. Nofo ʻi mui ʻi ha ʻā vahevahe pea mamaʻo mei he fefonongaʻakí. Ki ha toe fakaikiiki, vakai ki he maumau 'a e me'alele.

‘I tu‘a pea ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u mama‘ó .¶

Ko ha telefoni mate mamaʻo mei he tokoní ʻoku mamafa ange ia. ʻAve ha ifi, ha maama, ha mape mo ha pangikē mālohi. Ko e pā ‘e tolu ‘o ha ifi pe ulo ‘e tolu ‘a e māmá ko ha faka‘ilonga faingata‘a‘ia ‘oku ‘ilo‘i lahi. Nofo he feituʻu ʻe taha pea nofo māfana kapau ʻokú ke hē.

Kapau ʻokú ke ʻi ha feituʻu ʻoku ʻi ai ha pōpoaki satelaite pe ko ha fakaʻilonga fakafoʻituitui ʻo e feituʻú, fakaʻaongaʻi ia. Sio lost outdoors.

At home¶

If you are inside and your phone is dead, check whether you have a landline, a neighbour who can help or a smart speaker that can call. In a power cut, a cordless landline phone will not work, because the base station needs power, while a corded line usually does. Keep a corded phone if you rely on a landline. See power outage and phone charging at home.

During a disaster¶

Networks can be busy or damaged after a major event. Try text messages, which often get through when calls do not, and keep calls short. Use your emergency number only for real emergencies, and use social media or messaging for non urgent news. For a full plan, see phone dead during a disaster or evacuation.

When you are in danger from another person¶

If you cannot speak safely, try a text to emergency services where it is available, or use the silent call option your country offers. If a phone is not available, go to a place with people and ask for help. Do not confront anyone. Read domestic violence for safety planning.

Worked examples¶

Short scenarios make the steps easier to remember. Read them once and picture yourself in each one.

A fall on a hiking path with 3 percent battery¶

You slip and cannot put weight on your ankle. The phone shows 3 percent and one bar of signal. Dial your local emergency number at once, say the trail name, the nearest junction or marker, and that you cannot walk. Stay on the line, and if the call drops, stay where you are, put on extra layers and blow a whistle in groups of three.

Do not use the remaining battery to take photos of the injury or to look up first aid. If the dispatcher stays on the line, they can guide you. If the phone dies, you have still given a location and a description of the problem.

A collapsed person in a shopping centre and your phone is dead¶

Do not leave the person. Point at someone nearby and say clearly, "You, in the blue jacket, call the emergency number now." Pointing at one person works better than asking a crowd. Send another person to the entrance to meet the ambulance, and send a third to find a defibrillator, which is often a wall mounted box marked with a heart symbol. See CPR for what to do while you wait.

A house fire at night with a dead phone¶

ʻUluaki ʻomi ʻa e tokotaha kotoa ki tuʻa. ʻOua naʻá ke toe foki ki loto ki he telefoní. Ko e taimi pē te ke ʻi tuʻa ai mo malu, ʻalu ki he matapā ʻo ha kaungāʻapi pe kole ki ha taha ʻoku fakalaka atu ke ne tā ki hoʻo fika fakavavevave fakalotofonuá. ‘Oange ‘a e tu‘asilá pea talamai pe ‘oku kei ‘i ai ha taha ‘i loto.

A car crash on a rural road¶

Switch on the hazard lights, move away from the traffic if you can, and watch for the next car. Wave down a driver from a safe place on the verge and ask them to call. If you are near a highway call box, use it. When you speak with the dispatcher, give the road name, the direction of travel and the nearest kilometre or mile marker.

Feeling unsafe in a quiet street¶

Walk toward lights and people. Go into a shop, a petrol station, a pharmacy or a restaurant and tell the staff you feel unsafe and that your phone is dead. Ask them to call the police or a trusted contact for you. Stay inside until help arrives or you feel safe.

Common mistakes to avoid¶

• Spending the last battery on something else. Call first, then do everything else.
• Hanging up before the dispatcher says so. Stay on the line unless the call drops.
• Failing to give a location. Say it first.
• Assuming text works everywhere. Check beforehand.
• Using airplane mode and forgetting to turn it off. You cannot call in that mode.
• Walking away from the place you reported. Stay put unless you are in danger.
• Testing the emergency number. It wastes resources.
• Relying on contacts stored only in the phone. Keep a paper copy.

Kuo vakaiʻi ʻa e ngaahi maʻuʻanga fakamatalá¶

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC, United States): consumer guides on calling 911 and texting 911, and rules on emergency calls from phones without service.
• UK Government and Ofcom (United Kingdom): the emergency SMS service for 999 and mobile emergency calls on any available network.
• European Emergency Number Association (EENA) and European Commission: information on 112 and caller location.
• Ready.gov and FEMA (United States): advice on keeping phones charged and using text during emergencies.
• Manufacturer support pages (Apple, Google, Samsung): emergency SOS, medical ID and low power mode.

Services and features vary by country and by phone model, so check your local emergency agency for current details.

Ngaahi fehu'i 'oku toutou 'eke .¶

Can I call emergency services with a dead phone?¶

A completely dead phone cannot make a call, so the best option is to ask another person to call for you. If the phone has even a little charge, dial your local emergency number first and keep the call short. Many phones will try any available network for an emergency call, even without a working plan.

Is texting emergency services better than calling?¶

A voice call is better in most cases, because the dispatcher can ask questions and hear what is happening. Text is useful if you cannot speak safely, if you are deaf or have a speech disability, or if the signal is too weak for a call. Text to emergency services is not available everywhere, and in the United Kingdom you must register first, so check your local service in advance.

Do payphones still work for emergencies?¶

Where payphones still exist, many can dial the emergency number without coins or a card, though this depends on the country and the operator. Look for instructions on the phone. Highway call boxes, station help points and lift intercoms are also good options.

What is the most important thing to say on an emergency call?¶

Say where you are first, because help cannot arrive without a location. Then say what has happened and how many people need help, and stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you to hang up. If your phone dies mid call, the dispatcher may already have enough information to send help.

Ngaahi fakahinohino fekau'aki¶

• Phone battery dies while you are out
• Phone dead during a disaster or evacuation
• Pre-trip phone readiness
• Generator kaati fetu'utaki fakavavevave
• Ngaahi fika fakavavevave 'i he fonua