Emergency response specialist Skyguard has today launched the first-ever personal emergency service for British travellers, with those with recognised medical problems among the groups set to benefit from the breakthrough.

Skyguard International (www.skyguardgroup.com) gives travellers abroad the power to summon help at the press of a button if they find themselves in trouble overseas. Initially the service is live across 34 European countries, the Russian Federation and South Africa.

The launch comes hot on the heels of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s British Behaviour Abroad report, which revealed 19,228 Brits have needed assistance overseas during the past 12 months, with Spain producing the most incidents.

Travellers can activate the emergency Skyguard International service using a device the size of a key-fob and the smallest GPS alarm of its kind, which can be discreetly attached to keys, a belt or worn on a lanyard. Skyguard’s service also runs as an app on a BlackBerry, with the handset’s convenience side key acting as the alarm button.

Alarms containing the user’s location and identity go directly to Skyguard’s Incident Management Centre in the UK, where trained controllers can listen in, talk if it’s safe to do so and co-ordinate a timely response by summoning the national emergency services of the country in question, and contacting the victim’s relatives or employers.

Skyguard International customers can provide detailed personal information through an online portal, such as medical conditions, blood group and medications taken, which can immediately be passed to the overseas emergency service covering the incident.

Skyguard, which launched in 2000, already offers a similar service nationally in the UK, used by thousands of companies and individuals, and more than half of the UK’s police forces to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Said James Murray, chief executive of Skyguard: “We believe we’ve created the ultimate peace of mind solution for travellers.

“We anticipate customers with recognised medical problems will be among those taking our service because of the extra layer of reassurance it will give them when they head abroad. We’re also anticipating a strong response from across the health sector.

“I travel frequently for work assignments to countries where I’m not familiar with the language or destination. I wondered what I, or anyone else would do if they ended up in a difficult situation that required immediate emergency assistance. That’s why we developed Skyguard International – to give people peace of mind, knowing their location is exactly pinpointed and they can communicate immediately in English.

“After years of successfully managing hundreds of life-threatening situations affecting individuals at risk in the UK, we’re excited to be the first company in the world to offer an overseas service with this level of coverage. Initially we’ve got nearly all of Europe covered, together with Russia and South Africa, and we look forward to adding further countries in the months ahead.

“When we receive an alarm we can immediately locate the person using advanced GPS technology and can then quickly assess their needs. Our trained staff can communicate with the individual via their device or Blackberry, or not make direct contact if the situation so dictates.

“We can alert local police, paramedics or fire units to be with our customers as soon as possible.”

Skyguard International is available to existing Skyguard customers as an additional service.

“The service also works across borders so travellers will have back-up and cover every step of their journey,” added Murray.

Skyguard International is available from £29.95 a month*. To find out more visit http://www.skyguardgroup.com or http://www.send4help.com

* Skyguard International is available as an £18.00 per month add-on to Skyguard’s standard UK service, which starts at £11.95 a month based on a three-year contract. Shorter term contracts are also available.

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About Skyguard International
Skyguard International, the first-ever personal emergency service for British travellers overseas, is the brainchild of Skyguard, the UK’s leading personal safety service. Established in 2000, Skyguard provides the UK’s premier personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk. Skyguard offers a state-of-the-art, UK based, Incident Management Centre certified to the highest industry standards. Skyguard International provides UK travellers with instant emergency cover across 36 countries in Europe and South Africa. The groundbreaking technology enables travellers to send a panic message in an emergency which Skyguard’s UK Incident Management Centre will immediately escalate to the national emergency service in the country involved. Skyguard International is perfect for holidaymakers, business travellers, lone workers, students, or anyone who may need to call for immediate assistance while abroad. Users’ individual profiles store vital information including medical history and emergency contacts, which can be made available across international borders. The service starts from £29.95 a month* and is available on a discrete, lightweight key fob-sized alarm or via a BlackBerry handset. Skyguard is already used and trusted by over half of British police forces and thousands of lone workers and vulnerable members of society.

The 36 countries covered by Skyguard International from its launch are:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

* Skyguard International is available as an £18.00 a month add-on to Skyguard’s standard UK service, which starts at £11.95 a month based on a three-year contract.