Emilie Meyer
The radiotelephony message PAN-PAN is the international standard urgency signal used by someone aboard a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to declare that they need help in a situation that is serious but not life-threatening. It is used to communicate an urgent, but not emergency, situation. When announcing PAN-PAN, it is important to be careful to say your position clearly to avoid having to repeat it. It should be noted that PAN-PAN is distinct from a MAYDAY call, which is used in the most urgent life-threatening situations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to use | When you need help but the situation is not life-threatening or there is no immediate danger |
| Who uses it | Someone aboard a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle |
| What it means | Possible assistance needed |
| How to use it | Repeat three times, followed by a detailed message |
| Message details | Name of the station addressed, craft identification, position, nature of the problem, and any other useful information |
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What You'll Learn
How to use the correct phrasing for a 'pan-pan' call
The radiotelephony message "PAN-PAN" is the international standard urgency signal used by someone aboard a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to declare that they need help. This is distinct from a "MAYDAY" call, which is used in more urgent, life-threatening situations. "PAN-PAN" is used when the situation is serious but not life-threatening and does not pose an immediate danger to anyone's life or the vessel itself.
When using the "PAN-PAN" signal, it is important to repeat it three times: "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN". This is the same usage as the "MAYDAY" signal. The repetition is a strong mental trigger to divert all focus to the message that is about to follow.
After the initial "PAN-PAN" signal, the following information should be transmitted:
- Name of the station addressed
- Aircraft identification and type
- Nature of distress or urgency
- Pilots' intentions and requests
- Present position and heading, or last known position, time, and heading since that position
- Altitude or flight level
- Fuel remaining in minutes
- Number of people on board
- Any other useful information
It is important to note that "PAN-PAN" is not used to ask for medical advice. In this case, the correct phrase is "request medical advice", followed by craft identification, position, and the nature of the medical problem.
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When to use 'pan-pan' instead of 'mayday'
The words "mayday" and "pan-pan" are standard phrases used by pilots and cabin crew to communicate emergency situations to air traffic controllers on the ground. While "mayday" is used in the most urgent, life-threatening situations, "pan-pan" is for urgent situations that are serious but not life-threatening.
"Mayday" indicates that the aircraft or crew are threatened by serious or imminent danger and require immediate assistance. It commands radio silence on the frequency in use. In contrast, "pan-pan", short for "possible assistance needed", is used to communicate an urgent but non-emergency situation. It indicates that the aircraft is still flyable and under control, and does not require immediate assistance. For example, a pilot might use "pan-pan" to report another aircraft in distress or a fire on the ground.
A "pan-pan" call is appropriate when the skipper or master remains confident that they can handle the situation, and there is no current danger to life or the safety of the vessel. It is also used when a situation requires timely assistance but not immediate attention, such as when a passenger has a heart attack and a diversion is needed immediately. In such cases, the aircraft is still flyable, but assistance is required.
In some countries, declaring "mayday" when "pan-pan" would have been sufficient may result in a penalty, especially at busy airports. This is because a "mayday" call will lead to the clearing of the airspace and could cause delays for other aircraft. Therefore, it is important to use "pan-pan" when appropriate to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
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How to communicate a medical emergency
Communicating a medical emergency effectively is crucial to ensure the best possible care and patient outcomes. Here are some detailed instructions on how to announce a medical emergency:
Identify the Emergency and Urgency Level:
Begin by assessing the situation and determining the nature of the medical emergency. Is it a distress situation with imminent danger to life or the vessel/aircraft? In such cases, use the MAYDAY signal. If the situation is urgent but does not pose an immediate threat to life or the vessel, use the PAN-PAN signal. For medical transports, the phrase "PAN-PAN MEDICAL" is appropriate. If you need medical advice without an apparent immediate threat, clarify this in your message.
Contact the Relevant Authorities:
If you are unable to immediately reach an air traffic facility or agency, squawk Mode A/3, Code 7700/Emergency, and Mode C. Transmit the distress or urgency message, repeating MAYDAY or PAN-PAN three times, followed by the name of the station addressed. Provide your identification, position, nature of the distress/urgency, intentions, altitude, fuel remaining, number of people involved, and any other useful information.
Use Clear and Concise Language:
When communicating with emergency responders, be clear and concise. Provide essential information quickly and accurately, including the patient's condition, medical history, and any interventions already taken. Avoid unnecessary details that don't contribute to understanding the emergency. Use simple and non-technical language, especially when speaking to individuals without medical expertise.
Maintain a Calm Demeanor:
In high-stress situations, it is crucial to remain calm and empathetic. Speak in a soothing and reassuring tone to alleviate anxiety for all involved. If there are language barriers, use interpreters, language line services, or translation apps to facilitate understanding. Ensure that you are in the patient's line of sight and speak clearly if they have physical limitations.
Provide Regular Updates:
Frequent and consistent updates are essential to keep all team members informed. Conduct briefings and debriefings before and after responding to the emergency to establish expectations, assign roles, and share critical information. Regular communication also helps alleviate anxiety for family members and loved ones, keeping them informed about the patient's condition, treatment, and progress. Assign a dedicated communicator within the team to interact with the family and provide consistent updates.
Utilize Alternative Communication Methods:
During emergencies, many people attempt to use their phones, which can cause network congestion. Keep phone calls brief and convey only vital information. Consider using text messages or emails as they may be more successful in reaching the intended recipients. Have backup communication devices, such as charged batteries and car charger adapters. Additionally, keep a list of emergency phone numbers and have a family communication plan in place.
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What to do if the situation deteriorates
If the situation deteriorates and there is an immediate threat to life or the continued viability of the vessel, a "mayday" call should be made instead of "pan-pan". Mayday calls indicate that there is imminent danger and require immediate rescue efforts, taking priority over all other communications.
In a more critical situation, such as a person overboard, the person being unconscious, the risk of hypothermia, or other grave risks to life, a mayday call is more appropriate to ensure nearby vessels can assist rather than keep clear.
If the vessel is heading to shore and an ambulance crew is required, the local Coast Guard station can be contacted to arrange this. Additionally, the Coast Guard, along with other marine rescue organisations like Coastal Patrol and Search and Rescue, can assist with distress calls and relay messages to other stations that may be better equipped to help.
If you are unable to immediately establish communication with an air traffic facility or agency, you can squawk Mode A/3, Code 7700/Emergency, and Mode C. Transmit a distress or urgency message, repeating "mayday" three times if it is a distress call or repeating "pan-pan" three times if it is an urgency call. Provide as much relevant information as possible, including the name of the station addressed, aircraft identification and type, the nature of the distress or urgency, the pilot's intentions and requests, present position and heading, altitude or flight level, fuel remaining in minutes, the number of people on board, and any other useful details.
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How to make a 'pan-pan' call using a VHF radio
A VHF radio is a crucial piece of safety equipment when boating or sailing. It is important to understand the correct procedures to get the help you need in times of danger and to avoid blocking distress or urgency calls from other vessels.
To make a Pan-Pan call using a VHF radio, you should follow these steps:
- Press the red button to send a distress alert or urgency announcement. This step is optional but recommended if possible.
- Repeat "PAN-PAN" three times. This is the international urgency signal indicating that you need help, but there is no immediate danger to life or the vessel.
- State the intended recipient, either "all stations" or a specific station, repeated three times.
- Provide your craft's identification and position.
- Explain the nature of the problem and the type of assistance or advice you require.
- If it is a medical emergency, you can say "PAN-PAN MEDICAL" to indicate that you are requesting medical advice or transport.
Remember, a Pan-Pan call is appropriate when there is no immediate danger to life or the vessel. If the situation deteriorates or there is a risk of serious injury, death, or loss of the vessel, you should upgrade to a Mayday call.
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Frequently asked questions
Announcing "pan-pan" is an urgency signal used by someone aboard a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to declare that they need help, but the situation is not life-threatening.
You should announce "pan-pan" when you need help, but the situation is not life-threatening and there is no immediate danger to the vessel.
"Mayday" is used in the most urgent, life-threatening situations, while "pan-pan" is for urgent situations that are serious but not life-threatening.
To announce "pan-pan", you should say the word three times: "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN". You should also include the name of the station addressed, your craft identification and position, and the nature of the problem.
After you announce "pan-pan", nearby stations, aircraft, and ground stations will listen and attempt to provide assistance. Once the issue has been resolved, you should make a follow-up broadcast to all stations declaring that the urgent situation no longer exists.
