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Communication - Coggle Diagram
Communication
Options for communication
Whistles
Takes much less effort than yelling and is more piercing and effective
Light and easy to take with you
Mirrors
Light and easy to take with you
Multi purpose, may help light a fire
Best way to signal with light during the day
Flashlights / Lasers / Strobe
Works over long distances
Significantly better in the dark
Relies on batteries
Can convey easily recognizable distress signals (3s)
Flare
Super simple to use, just light it and wave it or shoot it
Not often carried
Need to be replaced every few years
Cell Phone / Satellite Phone
You almost always your cell phone
You won't always have service
Batteries can die
Good for less than life threatening emergencies
Can convey much more specific information
Sat phone should almost always have service as long as it has a view of the sky
Sat phones can be expensive to use
Satellite Beacon / SPOT / EPIRB
Gives very specific information about where you are and can send messages for check ins or non emergency situations
Most require a subscription
Be sure to charge it before every trip
Some receive weather forecasts
Paddle communication
Paddle straight up= come to me
Paddle horizontal= stay where you are
Waving paddle overhead= SOS
Hand communication
Always point positively
Both arms waving over head= SOS
Tap head= are you okay? -> yes I'm okay
Recognized Emergency Communication systems
911
Most of the time this will get you emergency services the fastest in the US
Some areas, a direct call to the wilderness rescue services will be fastest
emergency numbers for other countries
Text if you can't get through with a call. The text only needs a moment of service to send a very clear message.
Channel 16 / Mayday
Only for life threatening emergencies
International distress channel
“Mayday, mayday, Location, Problem, Number of people”
3s or 6s
Groups of three is an international distress signal (in some countries it is 6, but either one should provoke a response)
Three whistle blasts
Three smokey fires
Three shots
Three flashes with a mirror
SOS
3 short 3 long 3 short
Can be done visually or auditory
Ground-to-air
CLASS signal for Air Rescue
C: Contrast - use bright colors that contrast your surroundings
L: Location - an open area close to shelter area
A: Angularity - create sharp 90 degree lines that stand out
S: Size - the bigger the better
S: Shape - V = needs help or assistance; X = you're injured; Arrows = direction of travel if leaving signal area; N = negative; Y = positive
Phonetics
NATO Phonetic Alphabet, used to spell words in a very clear way that is difficult to misinterpret.
Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
Works cited
Macnamara, Traci J. “How to Communicate With Airborne Rescuers.” LiveAbout,
https://www.liveabout.com/rescue-signaling-ground-to-air-emergency-code-3157501
. Accessed 17 May 2021.
Mountaineers (Society), editor. Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. 9th edition, Mountaineers Books, 2017.
NATO. “NATO Phonetic Alphabet, Codes and Signals.” NATO,
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_150391.htm
. Accessed 17 May 2021.
“SPOT II Satellite GPS Messenger Failed Check-Ins.” Brian Green,
https://www.briangreen.net/bbb/2012/09/spot-ii-gps-messenger-disappointment.html
. Accessed 17 May 2021.
Convenience
Logistics
Supply drops can help extend trips without carrying tons of gear. Good communication between the group in the field and the support team is critical so that the food and equipment is there when they need it.
If you are in constant communication, it's easy to make changes to the supply drop gear based on what challenges you encounter
Phone Home
Other Team Members/Groups
Good communication between partners is essential to backcountry expeditions
Tell your partners when you have a problem: they can't help you if they don't know
Discuss and describe plans thoroughly
if parts of the group get separated, they should where everyone else is going
Be sure that the entire group understands the plan and goal for the day
Make yourself heard if you have concerns with what is happening
Don't let your partners put you in bad situations
Communicate clearly in dangerous terrain
Make your partners aware of any dangers that you see and they might not
You and your partner should know exactly what each other is doing when climbing. Miscommunication can quickly lead to life threatening mistakes
Don't be afraid to speak up if you can't keep up the pace or need to take a break
Radios can give very clear, close to medium range communication in your group. Also can be used to get weather info, or communicate with other nearby groups
Knowing how many groups are nearby and where they are likely to be can make your emergency communication much simpler if you know where to look
PR
Fans
Get people motivated to get out and do what you do
Encourage people to share with their friends to expand your network
Friends
Tell your friends all the cool things you're doing, but don't make them too jealous.
Take them with you next time
Make the outdoors more accessible, introduce new people to what you love
Marketing / Sponsors
You need to make your trips into a story and get people interested
Take lots of cool pictures and take a journal along the way to give a really cool and detailed write up
Take pictures with your sponsor's gear clearly in frame
If you don't have sponsors, then use social media to show what you're doing that deserves sponsorship
Video series are top tier.
Emergencies
What to say/ do if you make contact
Keep giving information
Where are you
Describe surroundings
Tell where you last confirmed your location
Coordinates are ideal
Nearby trail systems or summits
Who are you and how many people are in your group
What is the emergency
If someone is injured describe the injury
Describe what you have done already
How did the emergency occur
Continue to make yourself known by signaling to rescuers on the ground or in the air
Stay in the same location unless told otherwise
Update other parties related to your group on the situation
Rescue
Only help someone if it is safe for you to do so, you are your own number one priority
Listen to exactly what rescuers tell you to do, otherwise you may be putting them in danger
Be prepared to bivi if rescuers cannot make it to you immediately
Planning
Emergency Call Outs
Check and make note of emergency service numbers for the area before you leave
Let people know your itinerary, and have a plan for what they should do if you fail to make it out
Give a detailed sign in at the trailhead
Have a clear exit point along with backup locations to bail if necessary
Leave a copy of your itinerary on the dash of your car
Pre-arranged check-ins
Communicate to to others that you're still okay
If messages stop, they can assume something has gone wrong and send help for you
You can request non emergency help at a check in without freaking people out
Keeps a clear record of where you have been and shows if you are still on track
2-3 times per day at scheduled times. If you are not done for the day yet (running late not emergency) send a message that you are delayed