Methods and apparatuses for covert transmission of an assistance request message from a wearable computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wearable computing device receives a covert input and transmits a corresponding assistance request message without presenting an indication that such a request message is being, or has been, transmitted. Thus, a user in an emergency situation, which may worsen if a corresponding perpetrator detects a call for emergency assistance, can use the wearable computer device to send an assistance request message in a covert manner.