Our power team "SOS, emergency signals, warning & prevention"

Forgotten a lot in the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Maybe the last siren warning day was too long ago, and you forgot what each siren tone means and what to do? Want to be creative again and practice the INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNALS GROUND/AIR?

No problem, then let's refresh your knowledge a bit ...

Ground-to-air signals are used internationally, and you never know when you or your loved ones might be in an emergency. So please don't let ignorance waste valuable time. It's so easy to practice, and you don't need much for it. Wood, branches, or stones—it's up to you, but you should know these distress signals (click on the pictures). Try to find a large, open area (that is highly visible) and make the signs as large and visible as possible. If it has snowed and you can't find suitable materials, then step the signs into the snow with your feet. Upon successful rescue, you should immediately "destroy" the emergency signals/codes to prevent unnecessary missions.

Need doctor / Serious injury

Need medication / Medical supplies

Need water and food

Everything OKAY

Cannot continue

Landing possible here

Not understood

Yes

You better know it by heart, because what if your phone fails (battery dead or no signal)...

With a whistle, you can ideally whistle an SOS, but please don't use it just for fun and to hold an 'SOS whistle concert,' as it might not be taken seriously in that case. That would be fatal, and urgently needed help could potentially arrive too late. You can also send an SOS or alpine distress signal with a headlamp or flashlight (visual contact required). If you want to be on the safe side, use both acoustic and visual signals.

The magic 6 W-questions when making an emergency call

What happened? What exactly occurred?
Where are you located or exactly where ((e.g., address, intersection) that is, in what environment are you (e.g., city, country road, highway)) did the accident happen? Are there any prominent landmarks (e.g., buildings, bridges, monuments, parks ...) nearby? Is the accident site possibly difficult to access?
How many people are involved? How many people are injured? How many people are participating in the rescue?
When did the accident happen? When was the accident noticed?
Who is making the emergency call? Who has important information about the accident?
What is the condition of the accident site (e.g., blocked road, fire, etc.)? What are the injuries of the affected individuals? What is the weather situation?

For Germany

Current warnings can be found here: https://warnung.bund.de/meldungen

A really good thing. With the mobile service 'Cell Broadcast,' you receive warning messages directly on your phone. This warning channel can reach so many people directly. Unfortunately, not all older devices can receive the cell broadcast messages, so please check yourself whether you are able to receive them. Stay well informed!

Surely everyone of us has already installed the important warning app NINA on their phone. Not yet? Then you should urgently catch up on that. Because with this emergency information and news app from the federal government 'NINA,' you receive many important warnings from civil protection for various hazardous situations such as weather warnings from the German Weather Service, hazardous material spread, flood information from the responsible state authorities, and major fires. A really 'fine' thing, because you can not only install this warning app for free, you can also set your desired location for the warnings, such as your place of residence, work, or training, and location data is not collected.

Ever heard of MoWaS? MoWaS concerns us ALL because it is a powerful and highly available Modular Warning System (MoWas) that we cannot do without in today's world. Warning messages must be disseminated through as many channels as possible, i.e., through warning multipliers such as the NINA warning app, KATWARN, BIWAPP - Citizen Information and Warning App, Cell Broadcast, radio, television, online (RSS feed and push), digital location boards, passenger information systems, or in some cities even through digital taxi roof advertising carriers, so that they can reach us.

The meaning of the different siren tones (Germany)

Rising and falling tone (1 minute) - Meaning in peacetime: Disaster alarm 'Danger - get information'

Rising and falling tone (1 minute) - Meaning in defense case: Air raid alarm

But what does this mean for us and what should we keep in mind?

- Important messages may be broadcast through warning multipliers such as radio and television, which are very important for the population. So, turn on the radio and television!

- We should pay special attention to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens, such as fire trucks and police cars, and quickly clear the way for them as traffic participants. It's not a 'coffee ride' but they have to rush to their mission.

- We should quickly move into enclosed spaces and never forget to take any unprotected passersby into our care.

- Close windows and doors immediately!

- Turn off ventilation and air conditioning!

1-minute tone - rising and falling, interrupted twice - then 30 seconds pause

But what does this mean for us and what should we keep in mind?

Significance in Peaceful Times: In times of peace, this signal is normally not used and therefore has no specific meaning.

Significance in the Event of Defense: In the event of defense, this tone sequence signals a CBRN alarm. This means that there is a danger from chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear substances.

- Turn on the radio and TV!

- Immediately move to enclosed (protective) rooms and never forget to take unprotected passersby into our care.

- Close windows and doors immediately!

- Turn off ventilation systems and air conditioners!

- Do not use the telephone! Avoid overloading the telephone network if possible. Only use the phone in emergencies (fire, accident, etc.). Emergency numbers: 112 and 110!

1-minute continuous tone - The previously triggered alarms are canceled by this.

Significance in Peaceful Times: None / Significance in the Event of Defense: All-clear
https://warnung-der-bevoelkerung.de/

Stay informed and always keep up to date, as there are always developments of new technical solutions and the establishment of new warning methods.

And what else?

Poison Control Hotline (24-hour emergency advice): Inland: 0551 / 19240 /Abroad: +49 / 551 / 19240
International Red Cross + 41 (227) 30 42 22 (Genf, Schweiz)

European Emergency Number: 112
Mountain Rescue Austria: 140
Mountain Rescue Switzerland: 144
Mountain Rescue Italy: 118
Police (Germany): 110
ADAC Roadside Assistance & Ambulance Service: Inland: 0180 / 2 22 22 22 /Abroad: +49 / 89 / 22 22 22
German Air Rescue: Inland: 0711 / 701070 / Abroad: +49 / 711 / 701070
Diver Emergency Hotline: +49 (0)700 - 34835463 (worldwide)
Central Call of German Auto Insurers: Inland: 0180 / 25 0 26 / Abroad: +49 / 180 / 25 0 26
Federal Foreign Office (Emergency): Inland: 03018-17-2000 /Abroad: ++49-3018-17-2000

Lost Passport?
Central Emergency Number of the Federal Foreign Office: 01888 1 74 44 44
Federal Foreign Office Citizen Service: +49 309 50 00 20 00

Central Blocking Number
On the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, a uniform emergency blocking number (24/7) is available to block credit or debit cards, mobile phones, or employee IDs without prior registration for private individuals.

Central Number: 116 116 (Germany - toll-free)

Blocking Number: +49 116 116 or +49 30 4050 4050 (Abroad - chargeable)