How do I call Mountain Rescue?

Dial 999, ask for Police, then ask for Mountain Rescue. Be ready to give: your location (grid reference if possible), nature of the emergency, number in your group, injuries, and weather conditions. Stay on the line. If you have no phone signal, try 112 which searches all networks.

What is the Emergency SMS service?

You can text 999 in the UK if you cannot make a voice call (poor signal, cannot speak). You must register first at www.emergencysms.net. Text your emergency and location to 999. This is essential for hikers in areas with weak signal where a text may get through when a call cannot.

Should I carry a personal locator beacon?

A PLB or satellite communicator (like Garmin inReach) is highly recommended for remote trips where phone signal is unreliable. PLBs send a distress signal to search and rescue satellites. They work anywhere in the world with no subscription. Satellite communicators also allow two-way messaging.

What should I leave with my emergency contact?

Leave a route card with: your exact route (with alternatives), start and end points, expected start and finish times, car registration and parking location, group members and their details, latest check-in time before alerting authorities, and a photo of the OS map with your route marked.

CampCalcs

Emergency Contact Calculator

Create a comprehensive emergency contact card with key details for your trip.

Group Size

Trip Days

Region

Activity

Remoteness

How We Calculate This

Contact Generation

Emergency contacts are generated based on your region, activity type and remoteness level. All trips include core emergency numbers. Water activities add Coastguard/RNLI contacts.

Check-in Schedule

A check-in schedule is generated based on trip duration and remoteness. More remote trips have earlier check-in deadlines to allow time for rescue before dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.