After announcing a Mayday, which four elements should be communicated?

• A. When, Why, How, Where
• B. Who, What, Where, Air
• C. Name, Location, Incident Number, Time
• D. Department, Station, Incident Number, Terrain

Answer: (B)

In a Mayday, you want to deliver information that lets rescuers act quickly and precisely. The four essential elements to communicate are who is in trouble, what the situation is, where you are, and how much air you have left.

Knowing who is signaling helps the incident commander identify exactly who is in distress and coordinate the right responders. Describing what’s happening tells responders the specific danger, such as entrapment, a fall, or a loss of visibility, so they can assign the right kind of rescue tactics. Stating your location or last known position is crucial for guiding search-and-rescue teams to your vicinity and choosing the best entry routes or access points. Reporting air status—how much breathing air remains—directly informs responders about urgency, whether a rapid intervention is needed, or if additional air bottles should be brought in.

Other elements like exact time, department, or incident number may be useful for records and coordination, but they don’t drive the immediate rescue decisions the fastest way. The immediate priority is to convey who, what, where, and air.