(CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo.) — A lost hiker is safe thanks in part to an emergency whistle, and rescuers are reminding outdoor recreationalists to always carry some form of signal in case you need to be rescued.
According to Chaffee County Search and Rescue North (CCSARN), rescuers responded to La Plata Peak around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 to a report of a missing hiker. The hiker had separated from their group to head back down to the trailhead and was last seen around noon. With inclement weather in the forecast, rescuers responded.
Chaffee County Search and Rescue South assisted with drone efforts and REACH Air Medical Services was requested for a fly over of the area. REACH accepted the request; however, due to a decline in weather conditions, it had to cancel the fly over.
One of the rescue ground teams reported hearing a whistle in a drainage area east and below the standard route. The team continued up the drainage to investigate the sound, and the missing hiker was found 30 minutes later. CCSARN said all crews were safely out of the field by 1 a.m.
“This incident serves as a reminder to carry various forms of attraction,” CCSARN said. “The subjects’ continuous whistle blowing helped bring a safe ending to a potentially serious situation.”
While many hikers are quick to pack things like water, snacks, first aid, and navigation, methods of attracting help when in distress may be overlooked. Having any whistle on hand when hiking is a good idea, but according to The Nomad Experiment, a legitimate emergency whistle will reach a higher decibel level and can be heard from farther distances. Most emergency whistles reach 120 dB and can be heard from up to two miles away.
The Nomad Experiment said while there really isn’t a specific way to use an emergency whistle, three short, consistent blasts is the universal distress signal for a backcountry emergency. If you are lost or injured, blow three 2-3 second blasts with a short pause in between. Then wait for a few seconds—to listen for a response—and repeat the signal.
The Colorado Trail Foundation also suggests making your departure and return plans known with someone so they can alert authorities if you are overdue, and having that whistle can truly mean the difference in being located by rescuers.
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