PGHM – Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne

When to call the PGHM?
Situations that justify calling for help:
– victim of an accident (crack, fracture, open wound, significant trauma, etc.)
– immobilized after a fall or a change of terrain (rocky bar, steep slope, etc.)
– lost and in difficulty, the time or conditions preventing you from progressing
– overwhelmed by the climate or the mountains (stuck in bad weather, too many technical difficulties, objective risks such as avalanches, for example)

– First of all: don’t panic, stay calm and analyse the situation. Don’t take unnecessary risks if the victim is difficult to reach.

*First steps:
Protect the victim from the cold and the risk of further accidents.
Make a brief assessment of the victim's condition and the situation.
Practice first aid.

*The alert message must be precise, concise and mention:
the location (altitude, characteristic point, clothing of people to facilitate location),
the number of casualties and the nature of the injuries, your name and mobile number, if applicable.

*What to say on the phone:
Specify the location of the accident. Where did it happen? Where (coordinates on your map)
On a rock face, on a forest path, next to a lake, near a pass, near a peak, etc.

*Is the site easily accessible? The weather at the accident site? The identity of the person(s) involved in the accident
Is it a woman, a man, a child? Are there several people involved in the accident? Is she assisted or alone?

*His physical condition:
Is she responding? Is she bleeding? Is she in pain? Is she breathing?

*If you are on site when help arrives, make your presence known by making a Y-shape with your arms.