general info: how to ask for YOSAR help?

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Messages 1 - 8 of total 8 in this topic
nutjob

climber
Berkeley, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - May 13, 2009 - 05:43pm PT
Aside from the obvious wild arm flailing, screaming, or morse code with flashlights or smoke-signals, are there standard methods of asking for help?

Specific phone number to call besides 911 ? (imagine the operator saying "You are on a Sheep Ranch in Wyoming? This is California ma'am/sir...." and then the ensuing effort to explain your location)

Is there a specific radio channel to tune into on the little Motorola or generic brand units? E.g. a channel to report requests, separate from a channel YOSAR uses for intra-team communication?



I'm not planning to need a rescue, I wouldn't ask for it unless there was an impending medical disaster or complete cluster (e.g. somehow dropped all ropes and rack? in which case I'd have to say "hi I'm a complete jack@ss and need some help, and I'll pay for it..."), but I want to start being more responsible and know how to use the resource given that it exists. And I usually am not in a spot that folks would be closely watching where I could rely on a random siting and have someone else call for help. I told my lady to just post something here on Supertopo if I'm a day late on a one-day adventure, but just looking to be a little more proactive than that!

Thanks all. And if this is something that should only be passed "word of mouth" and not posted on the Internet, just say so and I'll visit the YOSAR tents in camp4 tonight.
Russ Walling

Gym climber
Vulva, Wyoming
May 13, 2009 - 05:44pm PT
They use channel 666 on "YellNet"™
graniteclimber

Trad climber
Nowhere
May 13, 2009 - 05:56pm PT
Just tell them that they need to put someone from YOSAR on the phone in 5 minutes or you will start killing hostages.

"And if this is something that should only be passed "word of mouth" and not posted on the Internet, just say so and I'll visit the YOSAR tents in camp4 tonight."

There is a secret handshake. No rescue for you unless you know it.

Don't call them. They'll call you.
nutjob

climber
Berkeley, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 13, 2009 - 06:04pm PT
Heh...

I just tend to think in a paranoid way about how the information could be used by those maliciously inclined in the event of a targeted intent to cause mayhem. But I guess there are bigger targets than Yosemite!
xtrmecat

Trad climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
May 13, 2009 - 06:42pm PT
Nutjob, I had to call for YOSAR last May for a party that had and accident doing NIAD. I was under sickle, on the deck, and if you hold the phone just right you can 911. Operator was not confused at all about what, where, or who at any time. Actually went very well, seeing as how I was talking a forein language when trying to describe where the party was and why I couldn't communicate openly with them.
They were above the great roof and it seems that no one on the wall could hear their cries for help. It did require however that YOSAR(actually the park service) called me back to glean info for themselves, glowering spot,nose, etc., etc.
I wouldn't worry about it too much as it went well.
Could be a bugger for me needing help, as I do not carry my phone on me during a climb, and if hurt while away from the pigs, kinda screwed. Still haven't gotten on board with the personal radio thing either. Hope this helped.
Bob
TradIsGood

Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
May 13, 2009 - 06:51pm PT
Forget the cell phone or radio.

You probably dropped it or left it on the ground anyway. The best way is

H E L P !
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
May 13, 2009 - 06:57pm PT
911 is a free call from El Cap, even when using a Canadian cell phone. When you reach the operator, just ask her to connect you to Yosemite Search and Rescue, and you'll be talking to someone who knows what he's talking about in seconds.
TradIsGood

Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
May 13, 2009 - 07:02pm PT
What PTPP said.

He will know what he is talking about.

But probably won't know what you're talking about if you're from the North Country.
Messages 1 - 8 of total 8 in this topic
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