How to take charge instantly in an alpine emergency, reach rescuers by satellite, and safely guide in a helicopter using the Yes-sign marshaling technique.
What do you do when an accident happens, the cell network is dead, and someone's injured beside you? The honest answer: you take charge — immediately, with structure, no panic. In high-alpine terrain, an accident turns from "medical problem" into "logistical chaos" within seconds. First-aid knowledge alone isn't enough anymore. You need to stabilize the group, reach rescuers independent of cell coverage, and guide in a helicopter safely. This guide from the DOMISPORTS Academy shows you what professional leadership looks like in extreme situations — from satellite communication to helicopter landings.
After a serious accident, the group usually freezes or panics. As the most experienced member, you need to break that. Immediately designate one helper responsible solely for the injured person — medically and psychologically, continuously. Delegate securing the accident site to others, so no one else falls in panic or wanders into a rockfall zone.
Once the patient is stable, place the call. With no cell signal, use your satellite messenger: send an SOS with exact GPS coordinates directly to the international rescue dispatch center. If you have signal and reach 112 or 140, the rule at pro level is: forget the classic "five W questions" — dispatch asks targeted questions instead. Focus on delivering: what happened? Is the injury time-critical (unconscious, heavy bleeding)? Where exactly are you (GPS, altitude, route name, position relative to the tree line)? Afterward: conserve battery (keep the phone warm against your body) and keep the line free — no personal calls, or the incident commander can't reach you with follow-up questions.
If radio contact is gone and rescuers are approaching, actively mark your position: six optical (light) or acoustic (whistle, shouting) signals within one minute, then a one-minute pause, then repeat — until rescuers respond (their response comes as three signals per minute).
A helicopter landing zone in alpine terrain needs prep: ideally 25 by 25 meters free of obstacles, with a level, firm touch-down area of about 4 by 4 meters. Tamp down snow or grass there. Secure every loose item — backpack, poles, jacket — or the downwash sucks it toward the rotor. Put sunglasses or ski goggles on yourself and the patient, or swirling ice and dust will get in your eyes.
As the person guiding the helicopter in, position yourself with your back to the wind at the edge of the landing zone, keep eye contact with the pilot, and form a big "Y" with both arms overhead — the Yes signal ("Yes, I need help"). Never approach the aircraft unprompted — only after a clear visual signal from the pilot, and only from the front, within the crew's field of view.
Self-protection always comes first — even during a rescue. Never search for cell signal or build the landing zone under fall risk. Helicopters generally can't fly in whiteout conditions or strong winds. In that case, the group has to bridge the time until mountain rescue arrives on foot — psychologically and with gear like the bivy bag.
If the emergency call keeps dropping due to poor signal, use an emergency text message. A text only needs a fraction of a second of stable signal to send — a voice call needs far more. The DACH region has dedicated SMS emergency numbers (for example in Austria) where you can text your GPS coordinates, injury type, and the help you need.
For pro-level tours off marked trails: yes. The places where things go wrong are usually exactly where cell signal doesn't reach — a Garmin inReach or similar device is then your only reliable line to rescue dispatch.
Take charge immediately. Assign someone to care for the patient, delegate securing the accident site to others, and only then place the emergency call. Structure beats frantic action every time.
Because you'd be blocking the line for dispatch. The incident commander needs to reach you for follow-up questions — about weather conditions or the patient's exact state. Call relatives only after the operation wraps up.
Back to the wind, at the edge of the landing zone, clearly visible to the pilot. Both arms up, forming a big "Y", keeping eye contact. Only move toward the aircraft once the pilot gives you a clear signal.
Then you bridge the time until mountain rescue arrives on foot. Use the bivy bag and emergency blanket against hypothermia, keep the group together, and keep trying to reach dispatch once the weather improves.
Pathless Terrain & UIAA Climbing