Alert in mountain emergencies: 1414, coordinates and emergency radio

Which number

1414 is the Rega emergency centre, round the clock. The documented Rega criterion is not «injury yes or no», but: «Always alert Rega via the emergency number 1414 or the Rega app if you require immediate help from a rescue helicopter.» Rega gives examples: difficult terrain (long access, access or evacuation difficult), need for quick and gentle transport to a central hospital, medical help on site needed, avalanche accident.

In the Canton of Valais you dial 144. The Cantonal Valais Rescue Organisation KWRO dispatches there – Rega itself points this out, as does the CAS emergency note: «144 medical emergency centre or air rescue in the Canton of Valais».

112 is the European emergency number and works in Switzerland; the CAS emergency note lists it alongside 1414 and 117 (police). From abroad you reach Rega at +41 333 333 333.

Honestly: there is no official, sharp-cut doctrine «when 1414, when 144, when 112». Rega only publishes the helicopter criterion above; the circulating decision matrices come from newspaper articles, not from rescue organisations. The documented sentence on prioritisation in the mountains is in the CAS emergency note: «In case of emergency in the mountains, direct alarm of air rescue is recommended.»

For beginners: remember 1414 (Valais: 144) and call if in doubt. The centre decides what it sends – that is their job, not yours.

What do I report in a mountain emergency call?

Rega calls back and asks questions systematically – you do not need to memorise anything. These points help you say what is most important first. (The six-point structure is documented; the circulating term «5-W schema» is not.)

1. Where: location, coordinates and altitude – also field name, valley and municipality (J+S: «In addition to coordinates and altitude, also report the field name, the valley and the municipality»)
2. Who: who is calling, callback contact
3. What happened, how and when
4. How many people affected, what injuries, situation on site
5. Weather on site: visibility, rain, wind
6. Hazards to air rescue – in particular cables and power lines
7. Then keep the line clear and wait for the callback

Coordinates: «Swiss Grid»

Rega explicitly recommends the Swiss coordinate system: «It is best to set your GPS to the Swiss coordinate system, Swiss Grid, which delivers the information clearly and simply.» Then it can take the data directly without converting. As a notation format it shows XXX XXX / YYY YYY plus altitude in metres.

An instructive friction: Rega requires no format and does not name «LV95»; the shown 6-digit pattern corresponds to the LV03 notation. Current devices and the swisstopo app deliver LV95 by default – 7-digit, east value starts with 2, north value with 1. This is not a contradiction and not a problem: the centre recognises both. What matters is that you say what you read, rather than omitting digits.

That is why always include the field name. If a digit is misheard, rescue will be kilometres away – the valley name saves the alert. Rega and J+S say this independently of each other.

The Rega app transmits the location directly to the emergency centre when raising an alarm, together with the stored personal data and battery charge. It requires a smartphone with GPS, activated location function, a SIM card – and network.

And here the most common misunderstanding, Rega word for word: «To successfully send an alarm, you need at least minimal connection to a mobile network. Without any network coverage, the alarm cannot be sent.» The app is not a replacement for network coverage. However, it does not require data network – at weak reception it transmits coordinates via SMS.

What do I do with no mobile signal in the mountains?

Change location. CAS word for word: «By changing location, usually by climbing to a ridge or to a spot with a view of a ski area or settlement, you may get into the coverage area of a mobile network.»

Send someone. CAS: «Someone from the group should set out on foot or by ski to seek help at the next hut or settlement.»

Important distinction from SMS: the CAS emergency note advises sending «SMS [to] try» when reception is poor or battery low. This means messages to friends and contacts – NOT to 1414, 144 or 112. There is no official SMS emergency call to these numbers in Switzerland; BAKOM describes text access to emergency calls («real-time text») as a planned expansion, not an existing service. Never rely on an SMS to 1414 arriving.

Alpine emergency signal, CAS emergency note word for word: «Give 6 signals per minute (calls, whistles, flashing, ...) Wait one minute, then repeat.» And the response that shows you have been heard: «Give 3 signals per minute, wait one minute, then repeat.» CAS names no more signal means than calls, whistles and flashing – a whistle carries further and longer than your voice and weighs nothing.

Satellite SOS: Rega notes: «If you trigger a mountain emergency call using the SOS function of your satellite communication device, it will be transmitted to an international emergency centre» – which then alerts the responsible rescue service, which takes time. The direct route: store the address alarm@rega.ch in the device, then location data goes directly to Rega. According to Rega, this applies «only within Switzerland and in border areas». (There is no Rega statement on the satellite emergency function of current smartphones; we therefore make no claims about it.)

The emergency radio channel 161.300 MHz

Switzerland has an emergency radio network on the frequency 161.300 MHz, the so-called E-channel. According to BAKOM, it uses the infrastructure of the Rega network; the maximum transmission power has been 5 watts since 1 January 2017. Rega confirms: «The emergency radio channel is monitored by Rega's emergency centre.» The CAS emergency note also lists it as an alert means: «Radio (E-channel 161.300 MHz)».

The licence issue is settled officially. BAKOM word for word: «Radio systems used on their assigned frequency (161.300 MHz) for emergency calls do not require a licence and no licence fees apply.» And Rega: the channel «can be used by anyone in the whole of Switzerland to call rescue services in an emergency if this is not possible by phone».

Licence-free does not mean «free radio». BAKOM attaches three conditions: the network is open to all, but «solely for the purpose of emergency alarm». The frequency is for everyone, «those who have no other means of communication» and need help – «the call must relate exclusively to the rescue operation». And: construction and operation of non-compliant equipment is «still not permitted and punishable» – explicitly even if a Rega chip is installed.

And the honest limitation, also official: BAKOM warns that «since certain regions are not covered», it would be «unwise to rely solely on emergency radio devices». Rega explicitly assumes no liability for poor or missing radio connections.

For beginners: the E-channel is not a reason to buy a radio. It is a reason to know it exists – in case you are out with a group that has such equipment.

Expert tip: Anyone carrying an emergency radio treats it as a supplement, never as a replacement for phone and Rega app. The sequence remains: phone, app, change location, radio. And the device must be compliant – operation of a non-compliant device is punishable, even with a Rega chip.

How should I behave when the rescue helicopter arrives?

Rega has documented the requirements for the landing site and conduct during approach in its note. These steps follow directly after the alert.

1. Landing site: 25 × 25 m, obstacle-free – no cables, power lines and the like
2. Approximately 100 m distance from the accident site
3. Clear loose items – clothes, backpacks, umbrellas (CAS adds: «Wind at back and secure items.»)
4. Do not leave your location during approach and crouch down
5. Maintain eye contact with the pilot
6. Only approach the helicopter when the rotor has stopped

What do the Y and N signals mean in the mountains?

The CAS emergency note shows them as Y and N. Both arms raised – the figure forms a Y – means «YES HELP». One arm up, one arm down – an N – means «NO NO HELP». Rega shows the same arm positions, but without letters: «We need help!» and «We do not need help!».

Memory aid: both arms up = Y = yes. The letter is in the CAS emergency note – it is Swiss teaching material, not an internet invention. However, Rega does not use the letter.

What it costs – and what sponsorship really is

Rescue comes first. The Rega emergency centre is available «round the clock to all people in need of help, affected by accident or acute illness». The cost issue is clarified after deployment. Sponsorship decides the bill, never the rescue.

Who normally pays? Rega word for word: «As a rule, the rescued people or their insurers pay.»

What basic insurance covers: for rescues in Switzerland 50 percent of costs, maximum CHF 5,000 per calendar year (LAMal Art. 27); for medically indicated patient transport 50 percent, maximum CHF 500 per calendar year (LAMal Art. 26). These are two separate limits, no common pot, and these are contributions – deductible and self-retention come on top. The rescue regulation applies only within Switzerland.

Sponsorship costs CHF 40 as a minimum contribution per adult person from age 18. Children and young people up to 18 are free, but must be registered. Sponsorship applies to the current calendar year and expires if not renewed by 15 May of the following year.

There is no family or couple tariff. Rega word for word: «Each adult person must take out sponsorship of CHF 40.–. Children must also be registered. Their sponsorship is free.» The circulating schedule «couple 80 / family 80» is an outdated tariff level.

And the most important thing, which is almost never stated anywhere: sponsorship is not insurance. Rega word for word: «Is Rega an insurance company? No. Rega is a non-profit and private foundation.» The sponsor contribution is legally a donation. What Rega provides is a cost waiver at its discretion, and only «if insurance companies or other third parties are not liable» – i.e. subsidiarily. The decisive phrase in the sponsorship terms: «Rega provides its services and grants cost waivers in each case without a legal obligation.»

To be fair: Rega counters that, unlike an insurance company, it knows «no exclusions» – for example for pre-existing conditions. Anyone who just says «no legal obligation!» is falling short.

Sources: Rega (emergency call numbers, note alert rescue helicopter, sponsorship terms as of 1.7.2022, frequently asked questions) · CAS emergency note · BAKOM (emergency radio 161.300 MHz, publ. 20.2.2026) · BAG/LAMal Art. 26 and 27. Status: July 2026. Does not replace the emergency centre.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• CAS Alpine note emergency: emergency signal, Y/N signals, E-channel, emergency call sites
• Rega Note: alert rescue helicopter: 1414 criterion, landing site
• Rega Frequently asked questions: Rega app, cell phone location, satellite SOS
• Rega Become a sponsor: CHF 40 per adult, children free
• Rega Sponsorship terms: cost waiver without legal obligation
• Rega Emergency radio: monitored by the emergency centre
• BAKOM Emergency radio 161.300 MHz: 5 watts, licence-free, conditions
• BAKOM Emergency services: text access («real-time text») is planned, not established
• BAG Transport and rescue costs: 50 %, max. CHF 500 or 5,000 per year
• CAS In an emergency get reception: change location, send someone
• Guide: Lost and disoriented Blockage: the most common mountain emergency
• Guide: Map and compass Read and transmit coordinates
• Guide: Protection in avalanches and rockfall Avalanche accident: a Rega criterion for 1414
• Guide: First aid kit First aid until rescue arrives
• Guide: Protection in hazards Overview: react properly
• Guide: Reporting clearly with SALUTE and the W-questions Reporting schemes compared: W-questions and SALUTE