1. Set up your Medical ID

The Health app lets you input information that could prove vital in an emergency, giving first responders access to your vital data. Just open the Health app and tap your profile in the top-right corner. Then select Medical ID to fill in your health information such as your allergies, medications, weight and height. You can also add an emergency contact.

Before leaving this screen, make sure you toggle the buttons next to Show When Locked and Share During Emergency Call. That may be your details can be easily shared with a responder or when you’re making an emergency call or text (more on this later).

Once you’ve done that, you should also go back and select Health Details. Then tap Edit, choose Blood Type and pick your blood type from the carousel.

2. Make an emergency call

If you’re in an emergency, time is of the essence. With iOS, you can make an emergency call or text on your iPhone if you press and hold the side button and a Volume button at the same time. You will then be able to slide your finger across the Emergency Call slider.

You can also make an emergency call if you press the side button five times to begin a countdown. An alarm will also sound and, when the countdown ends, the emergency services will be called. Either of these options can be turned on and off if you go to Settings and Emergency SOS, but we’d advise you have at least one of them on.

It’s also worth knowing if you’re in an area with patchy coverage, your iPhone will look to connect to the emergency services via satellite. To do this tap Emergency Text via Satellite if you see this option and select Report Emergency.

3. Make an emergency call from a locked iPhone

It is also possible to make an emergency call if an iPhone is locked and this will come in handy if you can’t face your screen or if you have somebody else’s iPhone.

Simply tap Emergency on the Passcode screen, then dial the emergency number and tap the call button.

4. Make a quiet call

If you're in an emergency where flashes, warning alarms and VoiceOver audio could put you in greater danger, you should go to Settings, Emergency SOS and toggle the button next to Call Quietly.

5. Call after a crash

If you’ve been involved in a severe car crash, your iPhone can automatically detect the collision and make an emergency call.

For peace of mind, make sure this feature is turned on. Go to Settings, Emergency SOS and toggle the button next to Call After Serious Crash.

6. Use FindMy

The FindMy app can be useful in allowing others to track your whereabouts. If you need someone to find you, then learn how to share location on iPhone using FindMy. In short, you need to tap the People tab, tap the + icon, tap Share My Location, select who to share with and tap Send.

You should also learn how to share your location via satellite on iPhone, particularly if you’re going somewhere remote.

7. Activate Emergency Alerts

You may also want to consider activating emergency alerts to be informed of imminent threats to safety or life. You will also be told of extreme weather conditions and government alerts.

To activate, go to Settings, select Notifications and scroll to the bottom where you can toggle on Extreme Alerts and Severe Alerts.