BRISTOL H F RAMBLING CLUB WALK GUIDELINES
These guidelines are intended to be useful and helpful to all members, with a focus on the safety of groups and individuals. We are also mindful of our responsibility to show respect and consideration for the communities we walk through and for the property of farmers and landowners over whose land we walk. Happy walking!
All members
- Observe the country Code
- Walk in single file through standing crops (including grass)
- Use stiles or kissing gates where available, or climb a field gate at the hinge end
- Ensure all gates are left as found, passing information back through the group
- Wear appropriate footwear
- Take sufficient clothing to cope with wind, cold and/or wet conditions
- Be responsible for your own basic first aid, personal medication and survival bag
- Carry enough food, water and emergency rations, such as chocolate or dried fruit
- Keep an eye on the walker behind you when changing direction
- Walk in single file on roads, facing oncoming traffic, unless on a blind bend
- Cross roads in a group, with the leader
- Make sure the backmarker is aware if you stop for any reason
Walk leaders
Before the walk:
- pre-walk the route, so you are familiar with it
- check the start point has sufficient space for parking, preferably minimising inconvenience to local communities
- plan coffee/lunch/comfort stops
- note potential risks, eg broken stiles, road walking, difficult terrain
- send details to walks co-ordinator, to include start place and time (grid reference, postcode, what3words*), mileage, hills, likelihood of mud and driving instructions for getting to the start point
- provide a mobile number for queries and contact on the day
On the day:
- welcome the group and count number of walkers
- give brief a description of the walk
- draw attention to potential hazards
- appoint a backmarker
- ensure all walkers are properly equipped
- carry a map and compass in addition to mobile phone apps
- set a suitable pace and try to avoid the group getting strung out
- regularly check you are in touch with the backmarker
All club walks should have at least four people, including the leader, in case an accident or illness has to be dealt with. However, a smaller number may walk at their own risk.
Accident/illness procedure
Every incident is different and the leader should try to assess the severity and act appropriately.
- For serious accident/illness, phone for an ambulance (or mountain rescue on the hills) using 999 or the emergency SMS text service** if no mobile signal. Give details of the injury and exact location – what3words* is useful in addition to describing obvious landmarks. Emergency services are not used to dealing with grid references!
- Ensure two people remain with the casualty until help arrives and that they have sufficient food, drink and clothing. Make appropriate arrangements for them to be picked up later and for the casualty’s belongings to be taken care of
- In less serious cases, if the casualty can walk, help them to the nearest road access point. Two people should go for a car to pick them up, if available, and someone should stay with the casualty until help arrives
- Continue the walk with the rest of the group, if appropriate
- Leaders should report details of any incident to the club secretary
*what3words app can be downloaded for free from Apple App Store or Google Playstore
**to register for the emergency SMS text service text “register” to 999. You’ll receive a reply with instructions, and then you’ll need to confirm your registration
Bristol H F Rambling Club Committee, August 2025
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