Provided is a distributed personal alarm system (10), which comprises a monitoring arrangement (12) and a plurality of mobile monitors (24). The monitoring arrangement (12) comprises a user database (14), a receiver (16) configured to receive a distress signal via a communications network (200), and a dispatcher (18) configured to dispatch emergency assistance (30) upon receipt of a distress signal. The alarm system (10) generally includes at least one mobile monitor (24) pre-associated with a user profile (26) stored in the user database (14). The monitor (24) is further configured to generate and transmit the distress signal via the communications network (200), wherein the signal is indicative of the user profile (26) and a geospatial position (28) of the mobile monitor (24).