I see the Swiss do have their own help code - six blows on a whistle, wait a minute, repeat. Good to know:

https://www.swissvistas.com/hiking-in-switzerland.html

Good job, x!

This is almost humorous. Apparently the international signal is three bursts - maybe that is what you heard KJA. In the UK and Switzerland it is six. Around here if you hear any whistle you treat it as someone in distress.

https://coolhikinggear.com/do-you-kn...istress-signal

Interesting, xcountry! I hope I never need to know, and if I do, I hope whatever I try works. Although I don't have a cell phone, I suspect that's the best option for most people.

I don't have a smart phone so I'm kind of a Luddite but do have a crude mobile phone just for emergencies when I'm walking or driving anywhere - rarely use it for anything else. Before I had one I once took a rather difficult walk down Mt Snowdon in Wales and got off trail and ended up repelling from one large boulder to another - could easily have got foot trapped in whole - sure wished i had had a phone then! I'd think thrice aboutg hiking in remote areas without one. That said the hikes OP is talking about are not out in wilds but well beaten and well-maintained trails so sans phone no problem. And I know some folks just want to get out of touch on hikes.

Thanks for all of the help guys!

don't forget to pack a whistle!