BEFORE YOU GO…

WRITE A ROUTE CARD

Include a rough idea of your route, the names and numbers of people in your group, your car registration, where you’re planning to park, the time and date of your route, an estimated time of return and your own name and contact details. Leave it with someone responsible. And make sure you check in when back!

WRITE A LATE-BACK PROCEDURE

Ensure the person you’ve left your route card with knows exactly what to do if you’re late. Include who to call, when and their phone number (even if it’s someone known to you both). This is especially important if they aren’t hillwalkers. Download our ready-made template at www.lfto.com/lateback

SORT YOUR EMERGENCY KIT

If you’re going out with a group it’s vital to make sure that, between you, you are carrying the right emergency equipment. This includes a group shelter large enough to hold you all, spare warm layers, a well-stocked first aid kit, extra food and drink, a spare map and compass and at least one walking pole. A GPS and a spare battery pack for your mobile phone could also prove very useful.

NEED TO CALL FOR HELP?

If you do need to get hold of Mountain Rescue, dial 999 or 112 and ask for ‘police’, then ‘mountain rescue’. Be ready with: Location (as accurate as possible) Name, gender and age of casualty Nature of emergency Number of people in the party Your mobile number. Also consider registering for Emergency SMS – this allows you to send a text to 999, useful in areas when there isn't enough signal for a call – a text only needs a fraction of the signal strength. Text ‘Register’ to 999 and follow the instructions.