Emergency reference only — not medical, legal, or safety advice. If someone is in danger, call 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), or 119 (fire) now.
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Before you go Emergency 54 of 62 known sticking points

You're in legal trouble or detained

Stay calm, ask to contact your embassy, don't sign unknown documents, and request a lawyer.

A traveller talking to a Chinese police officer at a help desk

You may ask for your embassy and a lawyer.

What you'll see

If detained, your rights and embassy matter most:

Detained · ask for embassy
被拘留 · 要求联系使馆
Situation level: L3 (scenario). This is an emergency situation, not an app error code.

Why it happens

You may notify your embassy and have legal representation; the embassy ensures fair treatment and a lawyer list.

Fastest fix, free: Stay calm, ask to contact your embassy, and request a lawyer; don't sign anything unclear.

Every case shows the diagnosis and the first step - free. The full step-by-step fix for this exact case, the decision tree, and the offline kit are $9.99.

Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Confidence: Multiple sources (pending first-hand verification)

When the fast fix isn't enough

In the kit

When detained, the kit gives the rights phrases and the embassy path.

1. The lookup table

The words that assert your right to an embassy.

2. The trigger matrix

When to demand a lawyer vs when to wait.

3. Offline printable version

The phrase card as a printable card.

Get the offline kit — $9.99 Read the free guides first
FREE — what you are reading nowwhat you will see, why, fastest fix, fullstepsIN THE KIT — the long tailwhat to say, who to call, offline

What you are reading is free. The shut crate is the part you carry.

Is anyone in danger right now?yes / noYESCall 110 / 120 firstfreeNOThe calm-handling branchin the kit

Ask it once, get one answer — not four things to read.

123Get safestep back, breatheCall 110 / 120say where you areShow this cardlet them read it

Three moves, in this order — panic is what makes it worse.

If nothing works

If you cannot reach the embassy:

  1. Memorize your embassy's number.
  2. Stay silent beyond basic info.
  3. Ask for a translator.
1234Call 110 /120level 1Embassylevel 2Insurance linelevel 3Someone youtrustlevel 4

Four levels deep — you are never down to a single option.

A local handing a phone to a traveller who needs help

One calm person who can speak for you changes everything.

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Most travellers know about three of these before they fly. This one is often not one of them.

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Official sources

Verified against these sources on 2026-09-20.