All our Team are fully trained and certified as Community First Responders. We carry an AED Defibrillator and some basic first aid equipment such a survival bags and sam splints. Serious incidents on the mountain are caused by a number of factors such as inexperience, rapid change in weather conditions, lack of proper clothing, hiking across unfamiliar terrain and your level of fitness. Preparedness is the key factor and the best way to gain experience is to join a walking club where you will pick up all the helpful tips from very experienced hill walkers. Best advice is to start off on the easy tracks until you feel competent to start climbing to a higher level. Learn how to use a compass and map. Check out Buxton Mountain Rescue video for some helpful tips.
If you get into difficulty.
Keep calm, stay together if you are part of a group and if it's possible find shelter from the weather.
Dial 112 ask for Gardi who will connect you to Mountain Rescue. The 112 Service is a pan European Emergency number. The advantage for the hill walker is that the 112 service will keep trying all the different networks until it can log on to a signal. If you cannot connect try and sending a text to the 112 Service, text messages use a smaller packet of data and has a better chance of being received. You may also like to go online and register your personal details with the 112 Service. This will save time as the operator will have your file to hand.
Use your spare clothing and a survival bag to keep warm.
Eat food to boost your energy levels and try and keep morale high.
If you hear a search party in the distance give six blasts on your whistle or six flashes of your torch
Equipment.
Footwear with good ankle support is recommended and carry waterproof and windproof clothing in your rucksack. Extra clothing will take up extra space in your rucksack but it may make the difference in preventing hyperthermia if you get into difficulty. Jeans are to be avoided. A first aid kit along with a survival bag, a torch and some energy bars take up very little space. Always carry a map and compass and learn how to use them. An added extra could be a spare power bank to recharge your mobile phone.
Seasons.
Hill walking in the summer is not time critical with long bright summer evenings However the latest time for taking to the hills in the winter time is around 10am. You should ensure your return journey begins at 2pm especially if you are a solo hiker. Darkness closes in quickly with fog and rain coming down at higher levels earlier. For further information check out Mountaineering Ireland
