Safety

Safety is paramount.

Everyone who participates in any group event is responsible for their own safety. In short this means:

Participants: The group offers everyone new who attends on Thursday evenings a one-page leaflet summarising outdoor clothing, equipment, basic first aid, and sources of additional safety and outdoor protocol information (books). The group or its members cannot guarantee safety on any event. All activities involve some risk and everyone is responsible for minimising risks to themselves. Anyone who represents a risk to themselves or others will be asked to not participate in an event. Everyone is responsible for understanding and implementing the actions required to ensure their safety whilst participating in the group's outdoor activities.

Organisers: Event organisers should give as much full and correct information as early as possible. Preferably prepare and plan as early as possible and consider the risks in the activity. If you are uncertain about some things or there is variability then say so. Make a judgement about the people participating in the event. Ask people about their experience, abilities and fitness. If you consider they represent a risk to themselves or others then you have the right to tell them to not attend the event. If you need help and advice with the event you are organising then ask. Use the experience of others - it's part of the learning curve.

Walk leaders should make a head count at the start point and appoint a back marker, who ideally should be familiar with the proposed route.

Risks: Serious accidents or worse are extremely rare. Most activities involve no more than minimal risk: walking, cycling, rock climbing etc. Someone could twist an ankle while walking or fall while cycling or rock climbing. Inconvenient and painful yes, but with preparation and action they can be managed. Likewise with food, most people can easily survive a few days without food. Water is much more important, so ensure adequate supplies. Walks closer to open ground level present less risk than walks in mountains or forests. Walks present less risk than activities that involve water and speed. Rock climbing automatically presents higher risk unless correct climbing gear and protocol is used.

Generally the bigger risks are most likely to come from the environment and people. Difficult navigation (getting lost), weather changes (getting cold and wet), sun (sunstroke, sunburn, dehydration), ice (hypothermia, slipping), time delays (getting back in darkness) or people (someone goes missing). Risks involve a probability and an impact and safety is improved by reducing both, in short good preparation and planning. For example:

Some tips: