Rescue in the Alps: This is how mountain athletes call for help in an emergency!

Rescue in the Alps: This is how mountain athletes call for help in an emergency!

Munich – In the Alps, it is crucial to provide quick and reliable help in an emergency. This is particularly true for skiers and other mountain athletes who can find themselves in dangerous situations due to unforeseen incidents. No matter where you are in Europe or beyond, the emergency number 112 remains the central contact point for all emergency services.

An important aspect is that the emergency call always works, even with someone else's cell phone or without a SIM card, despite network problems. In case of a problem with the call, it can be recommended to turn off the device and, after restarting, take it directly to the emergency number 112. The German Alpine Association (DAV) emphasizes that the phone automatically searches for the best available network to establish the connection.

Emergency apps specifically for mountain athletes

In addition to the emergency number, there are mobile phone-based solutions such as specialized apps that are useful in the Alpine regions. An example app is “SOS EU ALP”, which is available for both Android and iOS and was developed by the Tyrolean control center. With this app, users can make an emergency call with the swipe of a finger, which transmits the location and telephone number to the responsible rescue control center.

The same concept also exists in Switzerland: the “Rega” app, which runs on Android and iOS devices and was designed by the Swiss Air Rescue Service. These technological innovations provide additional security for everyone in difficult mountainous regions and make calling emergency services uncomplicated.

The major smartphone providers have also integrated emergency call functions into their systems. On Android, this feature is called “Emergency SOS”, while iPhone users can use “Emergency SOS”. However, it is important to enable these features in the settings before they become useful in an emergency. Simply pressing the on/off button five times will then start an emergency call countdown.

Alternative emergency signals in critical situations

It happens that you cannot rely on modern technology - be it because of an empty battery, lost smartphone or no network. In such critical moments, the Alpine distress signal can be sent both visually and acoustically. The DAV explains that you can signal your situation in the dark by shouting or activating a headlamp.

The acoustic signal consists of six calls spread over one minute, with a pause of about ten seconds between each call. This is followed by a break of one minute. This process can be repeated until help arrives. The response signal that you should wait for always occurs three times per minute. To ensure correct location, it is important to give the distress signal in the same direction to avoid confusion during rescue.

With these options - be it through emergency numbers, apps or time-honored emergency signals - skiers and mountaineers in the Alpine regions are well prepared to call for help safely and quickly when they need it most. This information is not only vital, but can make crucial differences in critical situations. For more details and comprehensive information on this topic, see the article on www.radioherford.de.