Emergency Procedure to be followed in the event of an incident/injury to a walker whilst on a walk where the assistance of the Emergency Services is required.
- In the event of an emergency, the leader should ensure that the group is in the safest position possible to reduce the possibility of injury to members of the group.
- From a mobile phone dial 999, the call will be put through to the police. The police are responsible for organising mountain rescue, and they will decide whether you require police assistance, an ambulance, the fire brigade, and/or mountain rescue. Give as much information as possible, whilst being concise.
Information to have ready will be :
Your location.
The nature of the problem.
Personal details (name/age/gender) of injured person and their injuries (if applicable).
Your mobile details.
Number of people in your party.
Any other pertinent information.
- Before ringing the police, use the what3words App to establish exactly where you are. The App is designed to work without a phone signal using GPS. Alternatively, if no phones are available with the App, use the 6 digit OS map grid reference. It is also useful to have 2 phones available when ringing, one for ringing and one for using the What3words App. Having someone with knowledge of the phonetic alphabet on hand is also useful. The person making the call should be one of the people who is staying with an injured person, as the emergency services are likely to call back using that phone number
- If the leader is struggling for a signal, check if any of the group members have an iPhone 14 or later, which can make an Emergency SOS call via Satellite. To activate the SOS system, hold down the lock button and one of the volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds, which will open the emergency call slider. Emergency SOS via satellite is also available on Google Pixel 9 phones. Other Android providers are currently developing Satellite connectivity
- If no one in the group has Emergency SOS via Satellite available, and you have an intermittent signal and you try 999 and the call keeps cutting you off as the service is poor for any network, there is a further option called ‘Emergency SMS’. With poor phone service you can send a text message to 999, BUT you need to register your phone first. In the event of an emergency, text the word ‘register’ to 999. You will receive a text about the service. Reply by sending “yes” in an SMS message to 999. You will then receive a message that the mobile is registered. Your text should include the same information as if you were ringing, e.g. Location, nature of the problem etc. You should receive a response within 2 minutes. Send a second text if no reply within 3 minutes.
- Check with the injured or ill person whether they are carrying medication for their condition.
- An injured or ill person who can’t continue with the walk, but are not in need of rescue, must be accompanied back to base by 2 capable members (not the leader), one preferably to have first aid experience (if required). Consider who are car sharing in nominating the people to stay behind as they are likely to be split from the main group for some time and may not be able to return to Sale with the main group.
- The rest of the group must decide whether to continue with the walk. If they decide to continue, the leader should stay with the group as they will be familiar with the terrain based on their previous recce of the route
- If the conditions have deteriorated since the start of the walk, it may be necessary to abandon the original route and return to safer/better walking conditions. A minimum of 2 people should stay with any injured person.
- If a person is injured and cannot return to base, depending on the nature of the injury, they may need to be helped to a place of safety whilst further assistance is awaited (seek guidance from emergency services).
- If a walker is injured, the leader, or responsible attending person, back marker or other, should complete an incident report and take appropriate photographs, identifying the area where the incident occurred, including the terrain of the surrounding area, and the weather conditions. The report and photographs should be circulated to the Chairperson and Treasurer.