Emergency Protocol

Call Priority

1. Call 911 FIRST — Always primary for life, limb, or weather danger
2. NPS Dispatch: 1-866-677-6677 — Non-emergency follow-up within NPS lands
3. No service: 3 short whistle blasts, repeat

911 dispatchers coordinate with local SAR. NPS number is supplementary.

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Location Script

Use this verbatim:

“I am on the Appalachian Trail.”

“State: ___”

“Nearest named point: ___”

“I am hiking northbound.”

“Approximate mile marker: ___”

“GPS coordinates: ___”

“Can I walk: Yes / No / Limited”

“Nature of problem: ___“

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InReach Bail-Out

Message your logistics contact:

“Bad weather. Need off-trail help. I’m near AT mile ___ (landmark).”

They call hostels/shuttles and message back.

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Press SOS When:

• Injury prevents movement
• Hypothermia risk is real
• Flooding traps you
• Lost and disoriented
• Self-rescue is no longer possible