For safe and happy walking

For the benefit of members, the Bristol HF Rambling Club committee has drawn up some guidelines, which they hope will be useful and helpful. These have been written with the safety of walking groups and individual members in mind, and also with the aim of showing respect and consideration for the property of farmers and landowners, over whose land we walk.

Walk leaders

Before the walk, the Leader should:
• appoint a back marker and ensure the Group is aware of who it is.
• satisfy himself or herself that the group are properly equipped and capable of completing the planned walk.
• equip him or herself with a first aid kit, a whistle and a mobile phone.

During the walk, the Leader should:
• set a pace suitable for the ability and size of the group;
• avoid a long straggling line;
• check regularly that he or she is in touch with the back marker;
• ensure that gates are left as found, passing the necessary information to the back marker;
• ensure that the group walks in single file through crops and fodder unless the pathway is broad;
• ensure that, on roads the group should be walking single file. (If straight, walk on the right facing the oncoming traffic. If the road bends use the side that gives the best vision;
• arrange stops at his or her discretion the length of time may be dependent on the weather and/or a place of interest. If it is hot ensure there are sufficient water stops.

All members

During the walk, all walkers should:
• keep an eye on the person behind especially where there’s a change in direction;
• tell the back marker (or others) they are stopping so that they are not left behind;
• NOT walk ahead of the leader unless given permission.

Accident procedure

Every accident is different. Leaders should use common sense and utilise any medical expertise available.
In the event of a serious accident, or if in doubt:
• phone for an ambulance or Mountain Rescue if hill walking, using 999 or the emergency SMS text service if there is no signal. Give as accurate description of the injuries as possible and the location of the accident with a grid reference or nearby postcode if available.
• ensure 2 people remain with the casualty until help arrives. Arrange for them to be picked up afterwards at a pre-arranged point.
• in less serious cases if the casualty can walk help them to the nearest road access. Whilst 2 people go for a car to pick up the casualty ensure someone remains with the casualty until the car arrives.
• continue with the walk for the rest of the group, having first made sure the helpers and their belongings can get home.
• ensure the details of all accidents or incidents are reported to the Club Secretary to be recorded in case of any claims on the Club’s Insurance.
• check on the condition of the casualty as soon as you can.

Countryside code

All members are expected to:
1. Observe the Country Code
2. Walk in single file through the standing crops (including grass)
3. Open gates where possible, or if the gate cannot be opened, climb the gate at the hinged end, one person at a time. Where there is a stile by the side of a locked gate, the stile should be climbed not the gate.
4. Ensure that all gates are left as found, the leader will pass back the information as to whether a gate was open or shut.

Equipment, footwear and clothing

All members should:
1. Have the correct footwear for the walking conditions. Stout shoes and walking sandals may be suitable for lowland walking but for rough walking and mountain walks, boots with good soles and giving ankle protection, must be worn.
2. For protection against wind and rain, a waterproof jacket and over trousers should be carried. For mountain walks, a woolly hat, gloves, an extra sweater or fleece, spare socks and emergency rations like chocolate or sweets, should be carried.
3. Carry their own basic first aid kit and any other personal medication required. A whistle and a head torch (for Mountain walks) is a helpful precaution.

Fitness

For everyone’s enjoyment it is necessary that you are fit and well enough to complete the planned walk. If there is any doubt about your ability for a particular walk then please ask the leader’s advice beforehand. Please remember the leader can refuse to take any person considered inadequately equipped or clothed, or judged by the leader to be undertaking a walk beyond that person’s ability.

Children

Children are welcome on walks but must be accompanied by an immediate adult member of the family, to take entire responsibility.

Emergency mobile calls

If an emergency arises and there is no signal on your phone, send a text to 999, say which emergency service needed (ambulance, police, fire, mountain rescue, coast guard) and also give brief details of the problem. You will of course also need information about where you are (grid reference, street name, landmark, postcode etc.). You will respond by text to any questions put to you by the 999 Advisor.

How do I arrange this for my phone?
All you have to do is REGISTER your phone by texting the word REGISTER to 999 and then follow the instructions you are sent. The service is free of charge.

For more information visit www.emergencysms.org.uk

If you do have a signal should you ring 112 or 999? The answer is either – calls to 112 are automatically routed to 999. It was decided by the E.U. that a common code for emergency sevices across the whole of the E.U. was desirable and 112 was adopted. Countries like ours that already had an emergency number were allowed to keep it – hence we can use 112 or 999, they are the same service.