Background: DW and I recently spent time day hiking in Southern Utah. At Bryce Canyon we hiked down a steep switchback with a drop of ~400'. We went around a corner and found a woman with an very swollen ankle. There was no chance of her hiking back up w/o help. I went back up the trail 100' until I was visible below a popular view point. Looking up I blew my whistle three (3) times asking for help. Using hand signals I let them know we needed help. The rangers were with the woman w/in 30 minutes to help her out.

Scenario: You're hiking and your partner becomes injured. It's not life-threatening so the PLB is out. The person is given water, food and shelter. You go to get help with your whistle. Do you whistle and keep moving? Do you constantly blow and keep moving? When and how should I use the whistle?

I understand each situation is different. Just curious...

Good job on the Bryce Canyon situation.

Concerning the scenario: I wouldnt blow my whistle unless I knew for certain that there was somebody who could help - like say a ranger station, fire lookout or if I saw another person/group and was hoping they had electronic communications or a way to get my partner out (like a pack animal or boat). I'd just be heading towards the closest location that I knew could provide help.

Moving while blowing the whistle can be confusing for rescuers because the location keeps moving. My rule of thumb is to only use my whistle when I am absolutely certain that there is somebody that can hear it and then to stay in one spot and let them home in on my whistle.