This page is not done. I am still
working on it. But since emergency contact information is
something that few people have a good grasp of, I thought even a
partially done page is a good start.
Canyoneering
Emergency - Contacts
What to Know
Before venturing out into the wilderness it is a good idea to set up
an emergency contact for yourself. Your emergency contact can
be a friend, family member or anyone you trust. Let your
emergency contact know where you are going, what you will be doing
and a general time line for what you expect out of your trip.
You should also discuss when to start worrying (or panicking
depending on the people involved) and what to do about it if it
happens. If your emergency contact decides it is time to call
the authorities to set up a search for you, they should be armed
with a list of who to contact. You could always leave it up to
your emergency contact to look up the numbers IF they end up needing
them. Do your emergency contact a favor and give them a list
so the panic (uh I mean worry) is a lot easier to handle if they do
need to make that call.
When you leave location information with your emergency contact,
don't just tell them the name of a canyon you are going to do.
If your contact person is not familiar with and area it will be
difficult for them to explain where to look for you. You
should leave your emergency contact person with things like canyon
name, coordinates of a location on your route (if you have them), an
explanation of where the area is and what it is close to. If
you want to be found you should leave behind enough information for
others to describe where to look for you. If there are book or
online sources describing the area you will be in, you can leave
that information with someone as well.
When you make a call for missing friends, do not expect to call the authorities with nothing more than a
canyon name and expect them to automatically know where your friends
are. A lot of the canyons that Canyoneers visit are not named
on maps. If a canyon name is all you have it may be impossible
to locate the correct place to start a search. Give as much
information as you can and be sure to tell them your friends were
canyoneering in a technical route.
Below is a list of helpful numbers to have on hand for that might
help. You can print these out and give them to your emergency
contact before you leave. It might also be a good idea to have
a list like this along with you while on a route yourself.
The contacts here are not intended to be and all inclusive one stop
shop for all emergency numbers related to canyoneering. This
list is intended to be a good starting point.
If you find any numbers are wrong or need updating please contact me and let me know. If you feel a number should be
added feel free to tell me that as well.
Note / Warning:
In almost all cases it is a bad idea to start a search and or rescue
during darkness. Doing so would likely endanger those
performing the search and or rescue. If you find your self in
a bad situation where a SAR call has been made for you, you will
likely be spending the night right where you are since any rescue
attempts will not begin until the following day. This idea
should serve as a warning and be that little voice in your head that
says...... "Always be prepared for an emergency bivy".
Who to Call
911
If you have no idea who to call the first choice would be 911. You
can give the operator names, dates, places, activities, etc. The
dispatcher can help get the right people notified and put you in
touch with them.
Public Lands
If you are calling for someone that is on public lands you can
contact authorities related to that area. Visitor centers,
ranger stations, BLM or Forest Service offices and the list goes on.
County Sheriff
If you are calling for someone that is on public lands that have no
phone numbers to call, a good place to start is the Sheriff of the
county they are in. The County Sheriff should have a good idea
who to call after you tell them where your friends are.
List of Emergency Contact Numbers
This list should help get you started in the right direction.
As I venture into more areas, I will try to keep up with adding to
this list.
If
someone you know needs help and you do not know what number to call, call 911
and they can help.
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Coconino National Forest
California
Angeles National Forest - (San Gabriel Mountains)
Los Angeles County
Death Valley National Park
Inyo County
Nevada
Below are numbers for emergency situations in
Nevada.
If you do not know which Utah Number to call, look at
the area list located below these numbers.
Valley of Fire State Park
Call the
Clark County sheriff.
Red Rock Canyon - National Conservation Area
Call the
Clark County sheriff.
Eldorado Mountains
Call the
Clark County sheriff.
Mount Charleston - (in the Spring Mountains National
Recreation Area)
Clark County Sheriff or 911. There is no ranger on the mountain.
Utah
Below are numbers for emergency situations in Utah.
If you do not know which Utah Number to call, look at
the area list located below these numbers.
Zion National Park
If calling for someone inside the park, first try
the Zion Back Country Desk during business hours. If it is
after business hours or you can not get an answer at the Zion Back
Country Desk, then call the Zion After Hours Emergency Number.
If calling for someone outside the park, call the
county sheriff for the area they are in. North, south and west
of the park would be Washington County while east of the park would
fall in Kane County.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef has limited resources. When needed they ask staff
from all job titles (scientists, maintenance, admin, etc) to help
with the efforts. Rather you are calling for someone inside or
outside of the park, your first point of contact should be the
County Sheriff of what ever county your party is in. If you
don't know try them both.
The northern end of Capitol Reef National Park is covered by
the Wayne County sheriff.
The southern end of Capitol Reef National Park is covered by the Garfield
County.
Dixie National Forest - Pine Valley District (this is just
north of St. George on the west side of I-15)
Call the Washington County Sheriff.
Dixie National Forest - Cedar Mountain District (this is the
Cedar Breaks and Brian head area)
Call the
Iron County sheriff.
Escalante National Monument
Primarily in
Garfield County. A small portion is in Kane County.
If in doubt call the Garfield County Sherrif.
Angel Cove area
Call the Wayne County Sheriff.
Cedar Mesa
Call the
San Juan County Sheriff.
North Wash
Call the Garfield County Sheriff.
Poison Springs area
Call the Garfield County Sheriff.
Robbers Roost area
Call the Wayne County Sheriff.
Ticaboo Mesa
Call the Garfield County Sheriff.
Test spot