The National Mountain Rescue Team is ready and active within Valchiavenna itself, with bases at Chiavenna and Madesimo. Staffed by highly qualified and experienced volunteers, the squad is capable of intervening quickly to undertake rescue operations in the mountains, incorporating activities such as hiking, mountaineering and canyoning, but especially in the organisation of search operations for missing persons.

In an emergency, however, there is an established protocol to follow, which if specifically adopted will save precious time and thus facilitate a speedy and successful rescue operation. Raise the alarm with 118. The operations centre will assess the situation and initiate any necessary rescue operation. It’s important to provide precise information: who’s involved, from where are you calling, supply a contact phone number, situation, how many people are involved in the emergency, and the weather conditions. Safety.

Assess the situation accurately and always consider safety as a priority for you and the people with you. If you are waiting for the Mountain Rescue Team find an appropriate and safe position which is also easily identifiable, whilst remaining in constant telephone contact with 118.

Please remain patient. Mountain rescue operations can take time, and it is not always possible to involve the medical helicopter. Emergency bivouac. If for any reason you are unable to raise the alarm, perhaps because of a communication problem, you should be capable of setting up an emergency bivouac.