Search & Rescue on the ACT
The Arctic Circle Trail is ONLY for experienced backcountry hikers who:
- Have completed several long-distance hikes where they have carried all their own gear
- Know how to navigate well in remote wilderness
- Can administer first aid
- Carry a personal emergency beacon with 2-way communication
We stress this for your own safety, but also to eliminate unnecessary activation of Search & Rescue (SAR) teams in Greenland.
Up to 18 emergency workers can be involved in a single rescue – people who should be on standby in case of a genuine, immediately life-threatening emergency.
Danish National Television recently ran a whole series on Search and Rescue in Greenland. A rescue off the ACT was part of Episode 2 (15-minute mark). Although the series is in Danish, most of this segment is in English. It’s a good idea to watch the next rescue as well to see how difficult it is to spot people in the landscape!
What to do if you need to evacuate
When you carry a 2-way communication device, there are two ways you can be evacuated from the trail. For it to require SAR – the issue must be immediately life threatening.
Examples could include:
- Any unexpected incident with potential for death or serious injury. Examples include airway or breathing problems, uncontrolled bleeding, bitten by an aggressive animal, or someone unable to walk due to an injury that immobilizes them
- Environmental danger. Examples include severe flooding, fires, or major slips that prevent you from continuing or turning back safely
- You or a member of your group is missing or lost. This should never happen as you must know how to navigate through wilderness areas before attempting the trail and carry appropriate navigation devices
In such cases, activate the SOS on your emergency beacon without delay.
Examples could include:
- Blisters or other injuries that do not immobilize you. Yes, blisters can be bad. But you should have enough first aid experience to manage them and walk to an evacuation point if they arise. They are not an emergency.
- Insufficient clothing and equipment. Every hiker must be prepared for changing conditions. Even in summer, temperatures on the ACT can be below freezing. Your equipment must be suitable for an Arctic hike and you must know how to use it properly before you come to Greenland.
- Running out of food. Always pack more food than you think you are going to need. A minimum of 2 days extra. This is to account for unexpected delays and in case you have underestimated how much energy you will burn.
In these circumstances, get yourself to the nearest evacuation point and notify your emergency contact.
Make sure you are prepared for self-rescue
Before starting the ACT, you should have an emergency contact person pre-programmed into your device. This person should:
- know your hiking dates and (ideally) be following your progress daily
- know your emergency device’s contact details
- know the emergency numbers for local authorities
- know the numbers of the different tour operators that can
Note: We here at the Arctic Circle Trail are not appropriate emergency contact people.
If you need an evacuation for a non-life threatening issue, message your emergency contact person and get them to notify the authorities in Greenland.
If you want to shorten your hike for any other reason, your or your emergency contact person should call a local tour provider to arrange a pick-up for you.
Make it easy for the SAR team find you
If the worst happens and you do have an immediately life threatening emergency, you should not hesitate to send an SOS for emergency aid.
Rescue will likely be by helicopter, so help us help you by carrying the following equipment:
- A two-way communication device that you know how to use
- A high-visibility vest or equivalent that is easily spotted in open wilderness.
- A signaling mirror to reflect sunlight
- A flashlight/headlamp of good brightness
Before activating your emergency beacon, try to find a sheltered position that still has an open view of the sky. Do not turn off your beacon once you have activated it. If there is no longer an emergency, cancel the call properly.
Once you activate your beacon
- Stay exactly where you are. If you move, the emergency team will start looking in the wrong place and it will take longer to find you. Another reason to stay on the marked trail is that it limits the search area.
- Make sure you/the injured person stays warm and is off the ground. You can insulate from the cold with a sleeping bag or pad, or extra clothing. Pitch your tent and wait inside (but leave your transmitting beacon outside)
- Administer first aid. Every hiker should know basic first aid before attempting the trail
- Keep eating and drinking. Important to keep energy levels up
- Make yourself visible and easy to find. Wear high-visibility clothing and be prepared to signal emergency services when they are close with a mirror and/or flashlight
- When you hear the helicopter: use your signaling mirror and/or flashlight and wave two arms overhead (or even better: a jacket, t-shirt, or large item) to indicate that you need help. Do not wave with one arm as people often do this just to say hello.
Be prepared
Again, we stress that the SOS on your emergency beacon should only be used in immediately life-threatening situations. Otherwise, you should self evacuate.
Due to the enormous size of the country and its small population, Greenland has limited resources for Search & Rescue so please make sure you have appropriate backcountry hiking experience and are well prepared before deciding on hiking the Arctic Circle Trail.
