Mountain Rescue
In a mountain accident, acting correctly in the first few minutes can make all the difference. Save these numbers and learn the procedures before you need them.
Emergency numbers
Regional mountain rescue numbers
The CNSAS (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico) coordinates mountain rescues. In most regions you can call 112 and ask for mountain rescue, or use the regional numbers:
| Region | Number |
|---|---|
| Valle d'Aosta | 0165 238222 (Soccorso Alpino VdA) |
| Piemonte | 112 / 118 |
| Lombardia | 112 / 118 |
| Trentino | 118 (Soccorso Alpino Trentino) |
| Alto Adige | 118 / Bergrettung: 0471 797171 |
| Veneto | 118 |
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 112 / 118 |
| Abruzzo | 118 |
When in doubt, always call 112. You will be routed to the right service.
How to call for help: what information to give
- Who you are (full name, callback phone number)
- Where you are (GPS coordinates if available, run name, departure station, visible landmarks)
- What happened (type of incident: fall, avalanche, trauma, medical emergency)
- How many people are involved
- Condition of the injured (conscious/unconscious, breathing, visible trauma)
- Weather conditions (visibility, wind, temperature)
- Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to
How to find your location
Communicating your exact position is vital. Methods:
- Phone GPS: most smartphones show GPS coordinates in the Maps app. Note latitude and longitude.
- CNSAS Emergency app: the official mountain rescue app sends your GPS position directly to rescuers.
- What3words: an app that divides the world into 3-metre squares identified by three words. Used by many emergency services.
- Visual references: without GPS, give the run name, piste marker number, visible refuge or resort name.
- Approximate altitude: check your ski pass or piste map for reference.
First aid: what to do while waiting for rescue
Note: these are basic first-aid guidelines. They do not replace a certified first-aid and BLS (Basic Life Support) course. Consider taking one — it could save a life.
Priorities: the chain of survival
- Secure the scene: before approaching, make sure there is no risk of further avalanches, falls or other riders arriving at speed
- Call for help as soon as possible (112)
- Check vital signs: is the person conscious? Do they respond to voice? Are they breathing?
- Recovery position: if unconscious but breathing, roll them onto their side
- CPR: if they are not breathing and you are trained, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Do not move: if a spinal injury is suspected, do not move the person unless there is immediate danger
- Keep warm: hypothermia is a serious risk. Cover the person with whatever you have
Hypothermia: recognising and managing it
Hypothermia is a drop in core body temperature below 35 °C. Progression:
- Mild (35-32 °C): intense shivering, confusion, clumsiness, pallor
- Moderate (32-28 °C): shivering stops (a serious sign!), marked confusion, drowsiness
- Severe (below 28 °C): loss of consciousness, risk of cardiac arrest
What to do: shelter from wind and snow, remove wet clothing if possible, insulate well, do NOT rub the limbs (risk of arrhythmia), do not give alcohol, wait for rescue.
Mountain rescue in Italy: how it works
CNSAS operates across Italy with specialised volunteers. Key facts:
- Rescue is free by law (D.lgs 69/2018) for anyone in a life-threatening situation
- Transport costs (helicopter) may be billed in some regions for non-life-threatening interventions
- Mountain rescue members are often also mountain doctors or paramedics
- Some regions have agreements with resorts so on-piste rescue is covered by the ski pass
Useful apps
- Emergenza CNSAS: official Italian mountain rescue app. Sends your GPS position directly to rescuers.
- What3words: alternative location system, very precise.
- AINEVA nivometeo: updated avalanche bulletins for all Italian alpine regions.
- Peakvisor / Fatmap: offline topographic maps for orientation.