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Giving the alert
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In most cases mobile phones signals don’t reach to the mountains in Chile. At any rate, getting to the summit does often help to improve reception. Another possibility is to contact some arrieros (muleteers), who frequently make their way through the Andes, or the mounted police along the border. Otherwise, you’ll have to descend to the nearest town, which could take days. Once at the town, first thing is to contact the carabineros (police) dialing 133 (the equivalent of U.S.A.’s 911). Groups with a considerable number of excursionists should carry mobile VHF radio equipment, satellite communications equipment to make emergency calls (http://www.cospas-sarsat.org) or satellite phones (http://www.iridium.com). If the rescuers are already near the injured, they can indicate his or her location with flares or whistles.
Departure and arrival notice
It is recommended never to go out trekking in the mountains alone. At the last lodging or police control, a photocopy of the passport should be left, with indications about the route and the planned return date. Additionally, it should be clearly stated beginning with which date a search and rescue operation must be started. Moreover, the Chilean Andean Rescue Association offers the possibility to register the departure and arrival dates of an excursion by phone at (02) 699 4764 or in their web page ( www.socorroandino.cl).
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