Introduction Safety
The following pages,
KEEPING SAFE ON THE HILLS, describes your responsibility when walking.
You are responsible for your own safety; don’t expect to be rescued, if in difficulty.
Take the necessary precautions beforehand.
Too many times have I been up in the hills and noticed walkers out for the day with inadequate clothing of footwear for the environment.
The weather can change dramatically within the space of just an hour’s walk, and if you’re not prepared, things could turn into a nightmare.
Please take heed of the following pages.
KEEPING SAFE ON THE HILLS
Please keep an eye on the weather, before heading out, the weather in the Beacons can change at a moment's notice, just by packing the bare essentials can save lives. Take note of the local weather forecasts, and Met office reports.
Basic essentials should include:
WATERPROOFS
SUITABLE CLOTHING
SUITABLE FOOTWEAR
FIRST AID KIT
WHISTLE
TORCH (with spare batteries)
SURVIVAL BAG
ENOUGH FOOD AND DRINK
Please tell friends or family where you intend to go, leave a map or directions with them, and tell them what time you intend to return.
Always take a map and compass, don't rely on GPS or mobile phones, networks and services have a tenancy to fail.
When walking in groups, always walk to the pace of the slowest walker, never split up, and watch for fatigue on other group members.
In the summer, the tops of the mountains can be a lot colder than the lower levels of where you started, added to this the wind and chill factor may be greater.
Hypothermia could set in, be on the lookout for:
A PALE COMPLEXION
SHIVERING
TIREDNESS AND EXHAUSTION
DISORIENTATION
LOSS OF CIRCULATION TO HANDS AND TOES
In the event of an emergency, dial 999 or 112, ask for the police, then the Mountain rescue team, and give them as much information as possible:
1. LOCATION
2. HOW MANY CASUALTIES
3. ANY HAZARDS
4. HOW MUCH PROVISIONS AND EQUIPMENT YOU HAVE
5. IF YOU CANNOT REACH ANYONE BY PHONE OR YOU CANNOT GET A SIGNAL, USE YOUR WHISTLE.
6. THE RESCUE SIGNAL IS SIX LONG BLASTS IN ONE MINUTE, STOP FOR ONE MINUTE, THEN REPEAT
7. IF USING A TORCH THE SAME SEQUENCE APPLIES
8. THE REPLY TO THIS IS THREE BLASTS
9. KEEP REPEATING YOUR SIGNAL, AS RESCUERS CAN USE THIS TO HOME IN ON YOUR POSITION.
10. KEEP WARM, DON'T PANIC