The Alpine distress signal is a distress signal in the case of mountain emergency, an emergency in alpine areas. There are also special emergency call numbers, for use with the telephone service by which the emergency services can be contacted.
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The Alpine distress signal was introduced in 1894 on the suggestion of Clinton Thomas Dent and was soon adopted internationally.
The Alpine distress signal traditionally consists of a signal by blasts from a whistle (may also be an air horn), which is repeated six times in the minute (every ten seconds). It is to be repeated after one minute of break in same manner.
The reply to such a signal is given with three indications per minute (every 20 seconds) and likewise repeated after one minute of break. Thus it can be confirmed to the person/party in trouble that its distress signal was received.
Whoever receives distress signals, should confirm and alert the emergency services.
The distress signal can also be a sound, light or sign characters:
Any abuse of emergency signals may lead to prosecution.
In Europe, the standardised European emergency call number 112 can in principle be used anywhere. Mobile phones can also be used, but one must understand that mobile phones services may not always be accessed in mountainous regions.
In some countries mountain rescue is the responsibility of the Civil Defence organisation of that country.