Mountain Advice

Planning

  • Be aware of your skill level and choose routes accordingly.
  • Check the weather forecast before you go.
  • Ensure you have adequate clothing, food and equipment for the route and weather conditions.
  • Consider leaving a route card with a family member or accommodation provider. If you do leave a route card always remember to report on your return.
  • Carry a map and compass and know how to use them. Learn map reading and compass skills. Do not rely on a GPS as your main navigational tool. Use a GPS only as a back up to your navigation skills.
  • Do not rely on mobile phones. There are still many areas in the Scottish hills where reception is poor or unavailable.
  • Identify escape routes and danger areas e.g. watercourses, ridges.
  • Learn self help techniques.
  • Attend a Navigation, Winter Skills, First Aid, Avalanche Awareness or Self Help Course to help become more aware and self sufficient in the hills.

Emergencies

If you are involved in a mountain incident it is important to stay calm and make sound decisions. The following is important:

  • Ensure your own safety and the safety of any others in your group.
  • If someone is injured remember ABC: Airway Breathing Circulation of the casualty
  • Treat any injuries as best as you can, e.g. stop any external bleeding with direct pressure
  • Provide shelter and comfort for the casualty and other members of your group.
  • If possible get out of exposed areas. Use spare clothing to keep warm. Isolate the casualty from the ground, use a rucksack or ropes.

To summon help:

Call 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
Have the following information to hand:

  • Detailed location of the incident including a 6 figure Grid Reference number
  • A description of the location
  • A description of the incident
  • Time incident occurred
  • Number of casualties
  • Name, age & sex of casualty.
  • Injuries found, suspected and treated
  • Mechanism of injury
  • Number in party
  • Your mobile telephone number
  • The casualties mobile telephone no

The international rescue signals are as follows:

Help Required:
  • 6 blasts of a whistle or torch in quick succession. Repeat after 1 min interval.
  • Red Flare
Message understood:
  • 3 flashes of a whistle or torch in quick succession. Repeat after 1 min interval.
  • White flare
SOS
  • Save our Souls - Three short, 3 long, 3 short flashes or blasts in quick succession. Repeat after 1 min


BE AWARE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY. USE A GPS AS A BACK-UP TO BASIC NAVIGATION SKILLS