Sending for Help It’s a good idea to have a record card for this purpose as part of your first aid kit.
Sending for help It is usually a combination of factors that cause an emergency, i.e. bad weather and an injury. Don’t send for help unless you are sure you need it. As a general rule, the party should always stay together. Planning a route beforehand can help by ensuring you don’t tackle a route beyond the ability of the group. Help with identifying escape routes and potential obstacles such as rivers and ensuring that the correct equipment is carried. A copy of your route card should be left with someone reliable who can contact the mountain rescue services should you fail to turn up a long time after your estimated time of arrival (ETA).
Do not be reluctant to call out the mountain rescue services (via the police, by dialling 999 or 112 from a mobile). While waiting for the rescue team do what first aid you can to make the casualty warm and comfortable, guard against hypothermia and further deterioration. Make sure everyone else is warm and secure. TIPS Many hillwalkers include a KISU • Group Shelter as part of their group equipment. This is like a large fly sheet under which the group can huddle to keep warm.
When sending for help Check your position. Send at least two people for help if you can. From your route card which you prepared at home, you should have identified escape routes to use in such a situation. Before setting off, write down your grid reference and some brief details of the accident, the casualty’s name, injuries, the time of the accident and treatment given . 119
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Consider whether you should bring a mobile phone. Keep it dry to ensure dampness does not short the batteries. You may need to change your location to higher ground in order to make contact in mountain areas.
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Some people bring a small flare as part of their group equipment.
