Moors and Mountain Safety

Prepare


  • Plan route - measure distances - anticipate timings
  • Make distance and terrain suitable for capability of party members
  • Plan escape routes
  • Leave your route details and what to do if over return time

On the Day


  • Start early to get maximum daylight
  • Carry out equipment check
  • Carry out people check - is everyone feeling fit
  • Party size must not exceed 7

Avoid


  • Getting cold - Hat and coat on early before the chill sets in
  • Getting wet - Coat and overtrousers on before the shower arrives
  • Getting wet and cold = hypothermia. For every 100 meters of ascent the temperature drops by about 1 degree centigrade. Wind chill will lower the temperature even more
  • Getting lost/disorientated:
    1. Keep a close eye on your progress against planned route and times
    2. Keep together. You must be able to talk to one another and be heard in the wind. Maximum distance apart 10 meters.
    3. Start to use pacing if mist descends. (Practise on the flat, find a true 100 metre stretch e.g. running track. Walk at normal pace and count the number of even paces ie. if starting with left foot, count when right foot comes down. Now count out the next 300 metres and see how close you are at the end of the 400 metre track. Ascending and descending hills will vary your pace length BUT you will have a reasonable idea of how many paces are needed for say 50 metres or 150 metres or 500 metres)
    4. Mentally log off features as you should come to them on the map
  • Walking on ridges in the strong winds. This will sap energy and on some ridges can be dangerous. The wind at the top of the hill is likely to be at least 3 times stronger than in the valley.
  • Where possible avoid slopes, rocks, scree, long grass, tufts and bogs. All these have the potential to cause injury.
  • Cooking in the tent. You have NO chance of getting out once the nylon tent catches on fire. In bad weather cook in the porch lee but with you and a partner on the outside of the tent. Tents can be replaced - you cannot.

React


  • Accident protocol:
    1. Can you ALL walk off? If not-
    2. Establish exactly where you are on the map. Mark the map
    3. Note the time, the number injured and extent of injuries
    4. Make injured safe
    5. Use the mobile phone to call for help. If no signal-
    6. At least 2 of you (the strongest/best navigator) to walk off for help. Tell those remaining what route and objective (house or telephone box) you will take. Take the marked map and details of those with injuries and those who are fit. Take the Mobile phone as you may walk into an area with a signal
    7. Those remaining - Set up tent where possible. Get into sleeping bags/bivy bags. Make hot drink if safe to do so
    8. Keep those injured warm - insulate from cold coming up from ground. Share body warmth if necessary
    9. Be careful if injury likely to require medical attention e.g. break as fluids will cause delay to anaesthetic being given
    10. Time for help to arrive will be: outward journey plus mobilisation of team plus return jorney. This may take 6+ hours and may be dark.
  • Distress signal. 6 blasts on the whistle OR six flashes on torch every one minute. Response is 3 blasts/flashes.
  • Ground to Air signals, use your body to make letters (all in standing position):
    1. Y = Need help (Arms outstreched)
    2. I = Serious injuries - need doctor (Arms raised directly above head)
    3. X = Unable to proceed (Arms and legs outstretched)
    4. N = We do not need anything (Raise left arm above head, raise right arm slightly away from thigh) Best avoid doing this - see below.
    5. Never wave to a helicopter or search plane unless you need to attract attention. They may be searching for someone else and if you keep moving they will know you are okay.