Air Rescue
A calm, clear briefing on what to expect when you call Mountain Rescue, how to prepare your location, and how to stay safe while waiting.
What WSAR will ask
- 1. Your name and phone number.
- 2. Exactly what happened and who is injured.
- 3. Your exact location (have your GPS coordinates or a pin drop ready).
- 4. How many people are in your group.
- 5. Ages and underlying medical conditions of the patient.
- 6. The current weather and wind conditions where you are.
While you wait
Do not move unless your current location is actively dangerous (e.g., rockfall). It is incredibly difficult to find a moving target.
Put on all available clothing. Injuries drastically increase the risk of hypothermia, even in summer.
Keep your phone on, but stop all non-essential use. WSAR may need to call you back.
- • Put on bright clothing.
- • Blow a whistle (3 short blasts is the distress signal).
- • Wave your phone screen or a flashlight at night.
- • Wave with two arms (a one-arm wave can look like a friendly greeting).
Helicopter Protocol
Ground rescue takes 30 to 90 minutes. If deployed, a helicopter reaches most parts of the mountain in 10 to 20 minutes.
You cannot request a helicopter. The rescue coordinator determines if one is necessary based on medical severity, terrain, and weather.
- • Flat area of about 15×15 metres needed.
- • Pack away loose items (hats, bottles). Downwash is extremely powerful.
- • Never approach the helicopter. Wait for the crew.
- • Never walk towards the rear. The tail rotor is invisible and lethal.
Is Mountain Rescue Free?
Yes. WSAR is a non-profit organization powered by volunteers. There is no charge for being rescued from the mountain, including helicopter extraction by WSAR.
*Note: If you require a private road ambulance to transfer you from the mountain base to a hospital, that specific medical transport may incur a cost, which is usually covered by standard medical aid or travel insurance.