Mountain Emergency Call: Coordinates and Key Details

Groups of three simulate an emergency call from the mountains: getting coordinates from a phone or map, structuring the message (who, what, where, how many, condition) and managing battery and signal. One partner plays the emergency dispatcher using a question sheet.

How to play

1. Explain the structured message and how to get coordinates from the phone's map app without a data connection, or by map references (5 min).
2. Groups of three with roles: caller, dispatcher with a question sheet, and observer with a checklist; each group gets an incident card (2 min).
3. First simulated call: the caller finds their position, prepares the message in 1 minute and delivers it; the dispatcher asks for anything missing (5 min).
4. Rotate roles with two more incidents, one with no data signal that forces students to use the map (8 min).
5. Review ways to save battery, staying where you said you would be and what to do if the call drops (3 min).
6. Each group writes an emergency message template to save on their phone (2 min).

Rules

• The call is simulated: students never dial the real emergency number.
• Give the message in the agreed order and do not hang up until the dispatcher says so.
• The observer objectively records any missing information.
• Phones are used only for the location task.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: practices sending an emergency text or using an accessible emergency app.
• Stuttering or social anxiety: has the written template to read and may start as observer.
• Visual impairment: uses the phone's screen reader to get coordinates and relies on landmarks.

Learning goals

• Report an outdoor emergency clearly and completely.
• Get and share a location using coordinates or map references.
• Know how to protect yourself while help is on the way.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tablets or phones: 10
• worksheets: 30
• topographic maps: 10

Teacher tip

Check that every student knows how to pull up their location without data; many do not. Stress that the real number is never dialed during practice. In Spain the emergency number is 112.

More main activities for High School