Editing Germany (section)

== Emergencies ==

=== Health and security ===
Germany is known for being one of the safest countries in the Euro-
pean Union, and while you could possibly find yourself on some of
Earth's safest terrain in Germany's smaller towns and villages, travel-
ing in larger cities can be dangerous. The most serious threat for
visitors or tourists are pickpockets, who are known for frequenting
crowded places like airports, train stations, busy train wagons or
buses, and tourist attractions. For this reason, it is best to leave valu-
able items and documents in a hotel safe.

=== Medical emergencies ===
You should obtain medical insurance that is valid in Germany before
leaving your home country; otherwise, you will be charged for doctor
or hospital visits abroad. For less serious illnesses, you can seek
advice in one of Germany's many pharmacies (Apotheke).

=== Pharmacies (Apotheke) ===
German pharmacies are abundant, even in smaller towns, and are
easy to find. Just look for a red stylized "A" or the word "Apotheke"
(www.apotheken.de). Pharmacies are usually open from 8 AM –
6 PM and are generally closed evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays. Each of them, typically, has a list on the door of
pharmacies in the area that remain open to handle emergencies.
Most pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses and recommend over-the-counter remedies. Be aware, however, that all medicines (even aspirin) are behind the counter, and must be asked for,
even if you do not need a prescription to purchase them.
It is also a good idea to bring any prescription drugs from your home
country with you for the duration of your stay abroad. While you will
probably be able to find equivalent drugs in Germany, you will need a
doctor's prescription, which will not be free of charge. Prescription
drugs cannot be sent legally through the postal service if you are
planning on having them sent from home.

=== Doctors ===
Finding a doctor in Germany can be an intimidating process because
of the language difference, but it should not be. You can refer to the
yellow pages (Gelbe Seiten: www.gelbeseiten.de) or a local tele-
phone book (www.dasoertliche.de) in which doctors are listed by their
specialization. For a general physician look under "Allgemein-
medizin", or, simply ask a colleague or friend; the best references
are often by word of mouth. Other good sources of medical care are
university clinics, which can usually be found in major cities or univer-
sity towns. These clinics are staffed by highly skilled doctors who
often speak English.
Making an appointment
When making a doctor's appointment by telephone or in person, the
person you will speak to is the Arzthelferin or doctors assistant. She
may not speak English, but do not worry, you will not be asked many
questions, you simply need to set up a day and a time for an ap-
pointment.

=== Some helpful phrases for an appointment are: ===
"Ich möchte einen Termin machen."
"I would like to make an appointment."
"Es ist dringend. Haben Sie keinen früheren Termin?"
"It is urgent. Don't you have an earlier appointment?"
"Wo befindet sich Ihre Praxis?"
"Where is your practice located?"

=== Urgent situations ===
If you have an urgent medical situation during evenings, weekends or
holidays you can always find an available doctor who will provide
after hours medical assistance.
You can find an "on call" emergency physician by:

• Calling a general physician listed in the telephone book. If he or
she is not available, you will most likely hear a recorded message
with the telephone number of an emergency doctor.

• In large hotels medical care is usually provided on the premises. If
not, ask the receptionist to contact a doctor for you.

• Calling the "Ärztlichen Notdienst" (19292 in some parts of Germany) for the
name of a doctor in your area, see also:
www.aerztlichepraxis.de/Bereitschaft and
www.aerzte-notdienst.de.

• Going directly to the hospital or emergency room.

• Taking yourself or the patient to the nearest hospital or out-patient
clinic.

• Checking a local newspaper. Look through a local newspaper for
the heading "Notdienst Kalender" (“Emergency Calendar”) to find
an emergency doctor in your area.

• '''In immediate life-threatning situations''' (i.e, motor vehicle accident, chest pain, severe injury etc.)
'''dial 112'''(toll-free, no area code necessary)! This call will be answered by an expirienced rescue professional (most likely a Fire-Fighter) who will send appropriate help to your location (i.e., Paramedics, Ambulance). See below.

=== Advice on calling in an emergency: ===
How to correctly report an accident/incident.
In an emergency, a few seconds can be a matter of life and death.
When calling for help, you need to concentrate on relaying essentials
without forgetting important facts when calling the country-wide Emergency Numbers
 '''112''' (Fire, Ambulance, Emergency Physician) and '''110''' (Police).

When reporting an accident in Germany, keep the 4-W’s in mind:

• '''Where?''' Where did the accident/incident happen?
(be as precise as possible! i.e., city/town, street name and house number, intersection, on a highway state the direction you are headed and the last exit you have passed or a mile marker - blue signs on the side of the highway that will read "123,5 KM")

• '''What?''' What happened? 
(i.e., car accident, fire, person with chest pain, injured person etc.)

• '''Who?''' Who is injured or sick and/or how many are affected. 
(Gender, approx. age)

• '''WAIT!''' Wait for further questions and provide a (mobile-) phone number where you can be reached for further questions.
(Never hang up until the calltaker tells you it's ok to do so!)

When calling in an emergency try to stay calm and listen to the questions you are asked. A calltaker will guide you through the process and will ask all the relevant questions he/she needs to dispatch the appropriate emergency personnel.

=== Police ===
The German police can be identified by their predominantly navy blue uniforms, 
and blue and white (or nowaydays more commonly, silver) signs and auto-
mobiles. Motorized police units, known as the "Vekehrspolizei" (traffic
police), look after safety on the streets, roads and motorways, and
can be identified by their white hats. Uniformed policemen patrolling
city streets have a hat that is the same color as their uniform. Those
policemen who are responsible for criminal offences, known as the
"Kriminalpolizei" (criminal police), are usually dressed in plain clothes,
and show their identification only when necessary. Many of the German police personnel speak English and are approachable and easy
to find in busy areas like airports and train stations. The number 110
can be used to contact the police throughout Germany.
Car accidents
If you or someone else has an accident or a serious breakdown on
the German motorway, you can use one of the special orange telephones that are set every 2 kilometers along the shoulder of the road.
These telephones contact an operator who will inform the appropriate
emergency services. The emergency numbers 110 and 112 can be
accessed by every telephone, including mobile phones, free of
charge.

=== German automobile clubs ===
If you are staying in Germany for a longer period of time, membership
in a German automobile club has several advantages. The largest
automobile club in Germany is the ADAC (Allgemeine Deutsche
Automobil-Club: www.adac.de). This organization offers information
in English, sells insurance, publishes detailed maps and provides
emergency roadside assistance. Most cities have an ADAC office. In
addition, the ADAC has partnership agreements with some foreign
automobile clubs, including AAA in the United States
(www.AAA.com).

=== Lost and stolen property ===
Thefts and burglaries must be reported immediately to the police (www.polizei.de). If an insurance claim is to be made, a certificate must be obtained to show that the stolen property has been reported.
If you have lost a valuable item, try contacting the city's "Fundgrube" (Lost and Found). These exist in every German city and are often in the city hall or "Rathaus". See www.fundbuero24.de .
The German Railway has its own lost property office known as the "Fundbüro der Deutschen Bahn AG". The same applies for most airports.

=== List of Emergency Numbers ===
==== Accidents ====
;Fire Department, Rescue and Ambulance ("Feuerwehr und Rettungsdienst"):
:'''112''' (toll-free, no area-code required)
;Police ("Polizei"):
:'''110''' (toll-free, no area-code required)
;On-call Doctor (after hours, "Ärztlicher Bereitschaftdienst"):
:19292 (local numbers and availability may vary)
;Emergency Poison Hotline:
:(0761) 192 40
==== Lost & Found ("Fundbüro") ====
;Fundbüro der Deutschen Bahn AG (German Railroad Lost and Found):
:(01805) 99 05 99
;Zentrales Fundbüro Berlin (Central Lost and Found of Berlin):
:(030) 69 95
==== Lost Credit Cards ====
;Central number for all bank cards (EC), credit cards and cellular phones (with a German contract):
:116116 (toll free within Germany); from abroad: 0049/116116
;American Express:
:(069) 97 97 10 00
;Diner's Club:
:(05921) 86 12 34
;Euro-MasterCard:
:(069) 79 33 19 10
;VISA:
:(0800) 81 49 100
==== German Automobile Clubs offering roadside assistance ====
;ADAC (Allg. Deutscher Automobil-Club):
:(089) 76760
;AvD (Automobilclub von Deutschland):
:(069) 66060
==== Useful Telephone Numbers ====
;Directory enquiries, national numbers:
:11842 or 11833
;Directory enquiries, international numbers:
:11834

=== Embassies ===
Embassies and consulates can provide a number of useful services for their citizens while they are traveling or living abroad. If your passport is lost or stolen, officials in a consulate can issue you a replacement. The consulate will also renew passports, help you obtain legal advice, hire a translator if necessary, and assist you in contacting your family. If you think that your passport has been stolen, report it to the local police and obtain a police declaration. It is recommended that you make a copy of your passport and other important papers and keep them in a safe place to expedite replacement of lost or stolen documents. Should you lose all of your money and other financial resources, consular officers can help you contact a bank, employer, or family member and arrange for them to send you funds. In extreme circumstances, they may be able to arrange for financial loans to finance the purchase of a ticket home. 

A list of foreign embassies in Germany and of German representatives abroad can be found at [http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de www.auswaertiges-amt.de].