Safety Advice

Check before you go:

Check your route

How far is it? What’s the terrain like? How long will it take? How many hours of daylight do you have?

Check the weather

Our Great British weather can be very changeable and what started out as a sunny day, may not end up like that!

Check your phone

1. Make sure your battery is charged and location settings are on. Many people also carry a portable power bank and cable. They’re not expensive and may save your life. Registering your phone with emergencysms will allow you to contact the emergency services via text message when the signal is too weak to make a phone call. Download the What3Words app which you can use to give the emergency services, including Mountain Rescue, your precise location.

Check your backup

Tell someone where you’re going, and when you’ll be back. This is especially important if you’re going on your own.

What to take with you

Suitable footwear and clothing

Supportive footwear with a good grip, warm, windproof and waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves.

Plenty of food and water

Always take more than you think you’ll need if you get stranded.

Map and compass

Do you know how to use them?

Mobile phone (fully charged), spare power pack and cable

Phone batteries run down quickly when trying to connect to a poor signal and when it’s cold.

Torch, head torch and whistle

To attract the attention of people searching for you.

A watch

It’s very easy to lose track of time.

First aid kit and essential medication

Helmet if mountain biking or climbing

When you’re out there

Stay together

It’s always more fun doing adventures together, and you might need each other if something goes wrong.

Stay fed and hydrated

Eating and drinking regularly helps to avoid energy lows and dehydration and keeps you in the best condition for tackling the challenges of your trek or ride.

Stay aware of where you are

Checking the map regularly and using GPS to see if you’re where you should be might avoid a long and potentially dangerous detour.

Stay well dressed

Wear suitable clothing for the weather conditions: supportive footwear suitable for the conditions, lightweight clothing, a sun hat and sun cream when it’s hot, layers of warm clothing in winter, waterproofs when it starts raining to avoid getting wet and cold and risking hyperthermia.

In an emergency

1 Gather details

• Location
• Name, age and gender of the casualty
• Nature of injuries or emergency
• Number of people in your party
• Your phone number

2 Dial 999

• Ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue
• Tell them the details above

3 Stay where you are until contacted by the Mountain Rescue Team.

• Keep your phone switched on, don’t make unnecessary calls and conserve the battery
• Make sure Location Services are enabled on your phone
• Follow instructions given in text messages or phone calls

4 If the phone signal is poor or you have speech or hearing difficulties, use the emergencySMS service

• Send a text to 999 including Police, Mountain Rescue, location and details of the incident
• You must register first. Text ‘register’ to 999 and follow the instructions.

Useful Links