Safety reference
Emergency numbers for hikers, by country.
Search a country to pull up its emergency and mountain rescue lines, plus what dispatchers will ask for. Numbers change — always confirm with your ranger station, guide, or insurance provider before a trip.
If you remember one number
Dial 112 across Europe, the UK, and dozens of other nations.
- Connects using any available cellular network, not just your own carrier.
- Works from a locked phone, with zero credit, and with no SIM installed.
- In the US, Canada, and Mexico use 911 · Australia 000 · New Zealand 111.
53 countries indexed. Not seeing yours? Dial the country's general emergency number and ask for mountain rescue.
What to have ready before you call
Battery is finite and panic clouds thinking. Line these up before you dial.
Exact location
GPS coordinates, OS grid reference (UK), or the nearest named trail or summit.
The incident
Exactly what happened and the severity of the injuries.
Party size
Total people in the group, and how many are casualties.
Your callback number
In case the call drops — a huge amount of rescue coordination happens over follow-up calls.
Local weather
Wind speed and visibility where you are — dispatchers need it to decide whether a helicopter can fly.
Insurance details
Policy number and the emergency desk phone number, ready to relay if asked.
Critical regional disclaimers
The Himalayas — Nepal, Pakistan, India
There is no free state helicopter rescue in most Himalayan regions. State emergency numbers will not launch a bird without a financial guarantee. Carry your travel or rescue insurance provider's direct emergency-desk number and call them first — financial clearance must happen before the rescue can lift off.
South America & Patagonia
Cell service is virtually non-existent on most alpine routes — 112 or 911 cannot save you without a nearby tower. Wilderness routes require a satellite messenger (Garmin inReach, Zoleo, Spot) to trigger an SOS. In Argentine Patagonia, rescue is coordinated on VHF radio — check into the ranger station and note the park's frequencies.
The United Kingdom — text 999 when voice fails
In remote UK terrain a text can sometimes get through where a voice call cannot. But you must register your phone with 999 SMS in advance — text the word register to 999 today, then follow the automated reply. In an emergency, text 999 with: Police + nature of injury + exact location. Do not assume it was received until you get a reply.
Reference only. Emergency numbers change, services get restructured, and coverage varies inside every country. Verify with a local source before you set out, and carry a Personal Locator Beacon or satellite messenger on any remote route.