Emergency response specialist Skyguard has developed and launched the first-ever personal emergency service for British travellers and lone workers abroad.
Skyguard International affords travellers the ability to summon help at the touch of a button if they are unlucky enough find themselves in trouble overseas.
Initially the service is live across 34 European countries, as well as the Russian Federation and South Africa.
The nations covered from 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.
The launch of Skyguard International comes hot on the heels of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s ‘British Behaviour Abroad’ report – recently featured on SMT Online – which revealed 19,228 Brits have needed assistance overseas during the past 12 months, with Spain realising the most incidents.
How does the solution work?
Travellers can activate the emergency Skyguard International service using a keyfob-sized device called MySOS. The MySOS is the smallest GPS alarm of its kind in the UK, and 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 pass 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 customers can provide detailed personal information – such as medical conditions, medications taken and even a photo – through through an online portal. Information may be passed to the emergency services, and can often prove to be life-saving.
Skyguard already offers a similar service nationally in the UK which used by thousands of individuals and companies – as well as more than half of the UK’s police forces – to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Ultimate peace of mind solution
Speaking about this latest development, James Murray – CEO of Skyguard – told SMT Online: “We believe we’ve created the ultimate peace of mind solution for travellers.”
He continued: “I travel frequently, and often with my family, to countries where I’m not familiar with the language or the destination. I wondered what I would do if we ended up in a difficult situation that required immediate emergency assistance?”
According to Murray, that’s why Skyguard International was developed: to give travellers peace of mind, knowing their location is exactly pinpointed and that they can communicate immediately in English. It’s a neat idea.
“After years of successfully managing hundreds of life-threatening situations affecting individuals at risk in the UK,” added Murray, “we’re excited to be the first company in the world to offer an overseas service with this level of coverage. Initially we have nearly all of Europe covered, together with Russia and South Africa, and we look forward to adding further countries in the months ahead.”
Murray went on to talk about the operating platform for Skyguard International. “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 are able to 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.
Cost of the service to the customer
Skyguard International is perfect for holidaymakers, business travellers, lone workers, students, or anyone who may need to call for immediate assistance while abroad.
Skyguard International is available from GB pound 24.95 (excluding VAT) per month*
Skyguard International is available as a GB pound 15.00 (excluding VAT) per month add-on to Skyguard’s standard UK service, which starts at GB pound 9.95 (again excluding VAT) per month based on a three-year contract. Shorter term contracts are also available.
To find out more visit www.skyguardgroup.com (a dedicated web link is provided at the foot of this page)
