/ first_moves
Do these first
/ failure_mode
How this plan fails
A signal that requires constant movement or constant phone use can make rescue harder. Conserve battery and keep your location stable when safe.
/ avoid
Do not spend your first mistake here
- Using all phone battery for photos, maps, or repeated failed calls.
- Hiding under dense cover when the weather allows a safer visible position.
Rescue is a communication problem. The rescuer needs location, condition, and visibility. Your job is to reduce ambiguity.
Write the message before trying to send it: who, where, injuries, weather, gear, and whether you plan to stay put. If a text hangs, leave the phone still and give it time. Weak signals sometimes send after a delay.
Use low-power signals. A whistle carries farther than shouting and uses less energy. A mirror, bright cloth, light, or high-contrast ground marker can work when voice and phone do not.
If staying is safe, staying findable is often the best move.