More Basic Mountain Safety Tips
- Know the limitations of your group and stay within them; physical fitness and ability, skill level and medical restrictions.
- Get a valid weather forecast before setting out, and be aware that the weather can deteriorate very quickly in the Scottish hills.
- Have a map and a compass and know how to use them. Electronic aids can be very useful but they can break down due to impacts or fail when battery life runs out, a portable power pack may be useful.
- Wear suitable boots or shoes, and suitable multi-layer clothing.
- Stay warm and dry – wet and cold can lead to an uncomfortable day at best, and hypothermia or an emergency situation.
- Carry emergency clothing, survival bag, torch and other basic safety equipment – hopefully it will not be needed but it might, so plan for the worst-case.
- Carry sufficient food and water for your route, plus an emergency supply which should only be used in an emergency.
- Plan your route and consider the inclusion of emergency self-evacuation routes.
- Give details of your group and your intended route to a nominated person who can raise the alarm on your behalf if you do not return by a selected time.
- Carry a basic first aid kit within the group, and know how to use it.
- Do your research of the intended route, find out the dangers and also sights that shouldn’t be missed.
- Do not take unnecessary risks to complete a route or a particular summit, the safety of you and your group are paramount and the mountain will still be there tomorrow.
- Arduous exercise can be physically and mentally tiring, be aware of driver fatigue on long drives afterwards and take frequent rests as required.
- Carry a mobile phone with good battery life and know how to get help in an emergency.
Know How To Get help In An Emergency
Warning – not all areas will have a signal for your phone. Your phone may show 0 bar from your supplier but, in the UK, other suppliers will pick up an emergency call, if you have a signal for them.
Dial 999 ask for Police and then Mountain Rescue and be prepared to answer the following questions;
- What is the nature of your emergency?
- What is the location of your incident?
- Where do you think you are?
- What can you see from your location?
- What was your intended route?
- What time did you set off?
- Where did you park your vehicle?
- Do you or anyone in your group have an injury?
- Do you have a smartphone?
- What is the weather like where you are?
- What is the ground condition where you are?
You can download the above as a PDF which can be saved to your smartphone, this will enable you to access it if you’ve no internet signal
