Yes, you can raise an alarm for someone else in an emergency—even if the situation isn’t happening to you directly.

If you witness or become aware of an emergency involving someone else, you should raise the alarm, provided it’s safe to do so. Always prioritize your own safety—don’t put yourself at risk.

How to Raise an Alarm for Another Person

In some situations, you may be in a position to help someone else who is in distress but unable to raise an alarm themselves. Whether you're a colleague, a bystander, or simply nearby, knowing how to raise an alarm on behalf of another person can be crucial. Your actions can help ensure they receive immediate assistance.

Raising an alarm for someone else involves more than just pressing a button. It's about quickly assessing the situation, acting promptly, and ensuring that the person in need gets the support they require.

Can You Raise an Alarm for Someone Else Without Risk?

Raising an alarm for someone else does not typically put you in danger, but there are situations where acting too quickly could expose you to risk. Always evaluate the environment and act only if it’s safe to do so. If you're unable to assist without jeopardizing your own safety, raise the alarm immediately and alert others to the situation.

Recognize the Signs of Distress or Danger

Before raising an alarm for someone else, it’s important to first identify that they are indeed in need of assistance. The sooner you recognize a distressing situation, the quicker you can act.

Signs that someone may need help:

• Physical distress or injury: This could include someone who is clearly hurt, unconscious, or in severe pain.

• Behavioral signs of distress: If a person is acting agitated, disoriented, or fearful, they may be facing an emergency.

• Verbal cues: If someone is shouting for help, expressing fear, or asking for assistance, it’s a strong indicator that they need help.

• Environmental clues: In some situations, you may witness an unsafe environment, such as someone trapped, threatened, or facing a dangerous scenario like a fire, gas leak, or violent confrontation.

Recognizing these signs quickly and responding promptly is key to raising an alarm effectively for someone else.

How to Raise an Alarm for Another Person

If you identify that someone is in need of urgent help but cannot raise an alarm themselves, your next step is to activate an emergency response on their behalf. This ensures they get the necessary assistance as quickly as possible.

Steps to raise an alarm for another person:

1. Use your device or app: If you have a Peoplesafe device or app, activate the alarm by pressing the SOS button. When you do this, make sure to:

   • Describe the situation: Provide details to the Alarm Controller about the emergency. For example, if the person has been injured, explain the nature of their injuries. If they are in immediate danger, such as being confronted with an aggressor, explain the situation in detail.

   • Give details about the person in need: Include the name of the person, their location, and their condition if possible. This allows the Alarm Controller to prioritize the response.

2. Explain the urgency: Clearly state how urgent the situation is. Whether they need medical help, are in danger of being harmed, or require some other form of immediate assistance, the Alarm Controller will need to know the severity.

3. Stay on the line if possible: If the situation allows, remain on the line with the Alarm Controller to provide further details and updates. They may need more information to dispatch the appropriate emergency services or to escalate the response.

4. Follow the instructions from the Alarm Controller: The Alarm Controller will guide you through the next steps, such as whether they will dispatch emergency services or need further information from you. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure the fastest and most accurate response.

Real-life Examples of Alarms helping others:

Here’s how raising an alarm for another person has helped in real situations:

• Hotel Cleaner Example: A hotel cleaner working alone heard loud screams from a nearby room. After assessing the situation and realizing it was a domestic incident, she activated her SOS alarm. The Alarm Controller monitored the call and stayed on the line while the cleaner entered the room. They also contacted her escalation contact and emergency services. The cleaner remained on the line with the Controller until emergency help arrived.

• Hotel Receptionist Example: A hotel receptionist activated their alarm when a guest became violent and verbally abusive. After the situation escalated, they requested the Controller to call the police. The Alarm Controller contacted both the police and the receptionist’s manager and stayed on the line until the authorities arrived.

Conclusion

Raising an alarm for someone else can be the difference between getting help in time and a situation worsening. Whether you’re in a public space, at work, or just nearby, being aware of the signs of distress and knowing how to respond can help you assist someone in need. Your quick action could save lives, so always trust your instincts and act promptly.