Here in Iceland, 112 is the universal emergency number. Contact is readily available with all emergency response services such as police, fire brigades, ambulances and rescue teams. Save the number in your mobile phone. Remember that even if your phone appears to have no signal, still attempt to call if you need help. Also, try to get onto the nearest high point and see whether you can get phone services there. If it unfortunately happens that you have gotten lost, try to phone 112. It’s important to remain at the same location and never to wander about the area or try to find the way back. This makes it more difficult for rescue teams to find you.
There are about 100 rescue teams in Iceland and they are all members of ICE-SAR. The teams command top rescuers who are accustomed to grappling with the tough and unyielding Icelandic natural environment at its most severe. All members are volunteers and are ready for mobilization 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In total there are about 3,000 individuals in the rescue teams. Each year there are 1200 emergency calls or close to 4 calls on any given day anywhere in the country. Much diligence is put into ensuring that the equipment is the best suited whenever it’s needed, and that it proves to be very useful under Icelandic conditions.
Don’t hesitate to call for help if you or your fellow travellers might need it.
