The number to call for an ambulance is 120. Operators speak some English or will find you someone who does. However, if you can move, you may want to hail a cab as there are some serious drawbacks to ambulances in Shanghai. Ambulance staff are not trained to give medical attention and service can be slow. You also have to pay them in cash once you reach the hospital (though some drivers may accept WeChat). There is a waiting time for ambulances to arrive and once they do, they don't enjoy much right-of-way on Shanghai streets.

USEFUL PHRASES:

Ambulance, 救护车 jiu hu che

Emergency Room, 急诊室 ji zhen shi

All consulates maintain emergency numbers which are generally manned 24 hours per day by a duty officer. They provide services related to deaths while abroad and can advise on the process of obtaining death certificates, police reports, visa cancellations, and the other minutiae related to someone passing. They also provide consular services, often including lists of English-speaking lawyers, to those who the Chinese authorities have arrested. Search online for your consulate’s contact information in case of extreme circumstances.

In Puxi, Shanghai United Family Hospital (Emergency line: 2216 3999) in Hongqiao runs a 24-hour emergency room with English-speaking, foreign doctors, as does Jiahui’s Hospital in the southern Xuhui district. In Pudong, Shanghai East International Medical also runs a 24-hour emergency room with English-speaking, foreign doctors(5879 9999).

Shanghai United Family Puxi Emergency Room, 1139 Xianxia Lu, near Quankou Lu

上海和睦家医院浦西急诊室，仙霞路1139号，近泉口路

Jiahui International Hospital, 689 Guiping Lu, near Qinjiang Lu

嘉会国际医院,桂平路689号，近钦江路

Shanghai East International Medical Center, 150 Jimo Lu, near Pudong Da Dao

上海东方联合医院，即墨路150号，近浦东大道

All major hospitals in Shanghai have emergency departments. Huashan Hospital(华山医院), Ruijin Hospital(瑞金医院), and Zhongshan Hospital(中山医院) in Puxi and Shanghai Hudong Hospital(上海沪东医院) and Renji Hospital(仁济医院) in Pudong are the most well-respected. If you are conscious and clear-headed enough, bring a payment method, as hospitals require payment upfront for outpatient treatment (Chinese credit card, Alipay, or WeChat) and a hefty deposit for inpatient treatment (cash, Unionpay, or Alipay). In critical and severe injuries, hospitals treat the patient before requiring payment.

In case of a fire, dial 119. The operator will be able to find you an English translator if you need to give your address and details.

USEFUL PHRASES:

Fire, 火灾 huo zai

My house is on fire, 我的房子着火了wo de fang zi zhao huo le

Lifeline Shanghai (6279 8990) provides a free, confidential, and anonymous service in English for people in crisis. Telephone volunteers will listen, support, and assist you to clarify options and choices for yourself though do not go as far as physical intervention.

The number for the police is 110. Operators speak basic English and have translators available to help with taking details of cases. Police response time is usually fast though the resolution of disputes is strongly geared towards mediation and cash compensation and may leave something to be desired. For complaints, police reports, and anything official, you will likely be asked to go to your local police station. If you don't know where it is, ask a nearby security guard.

USEFUL PHRASES:

Police station, 派出所 pai chu suo

Robbery, 抢劫 qiang jie

Theft, 盗窃 dao qie

Rape, 强奸 qiang jian

Car Accident, 车祸 che huo

Fight, 斗殴 dou ou,

Compensation, 赔偿 pei chang

The Shanghai Call Center is a free 24-hour hotline that provides translations between 10 languages and Chinese. It was created by the government for the 2010 World Expo but has stuck around because it's so useful. They can assist in both emergency and non-emergency situations with phone translation (pass-the-phone-to-the-other-person) and are a great resource for all questions about Shanghai, big or small. In an emergency, they can help you communicate with the fire department police or ambulance staff.

Here's a list of English-speaking locksmith.