Emergency procedures for long-distance hikers

Act in this order

Immediate actions

1. 1

   Stop further danger

   Check for traffic, falling rocks, unstable ground, cliffs, tides, water and severe weather. Do not create a second casualty. Move only as far as needed to escape an immediate hazard.

2. 2

   Check the casualty

   Check whether they respond and are breathing normally. If they are not breathing normally, call for an ambulance and begin CPR if you can. Follow the call handler's instructions. Do not move a suspected neck, back or serious leg injury unless remaining there is more dangerous or you must open the airway.

3. 3

   Call for rescue

   Give the location before anything else in case the call drops. Use coordinates, an OS grid reference in Great Britain, the trail and stage, a named feature, and the last place you were certain of. Do not rely on a place name alone.

4. 4

   Protect and wait

   Shelter the casualty, insulate them from the ground and replace wet clothing where practical. Keep the phone available, preserve its battery and stay at the reported location unless the rescue service tells you to move or the location becomes unsafe.

Prepare before dialling

What rescuers need to know

Routes currently covered by Get Oot

Which emergency number to use

Do not assume an app will work

If there is no mobile signal

• Try the emergency number first. A phone showing “emergency calls only” may be able to use another available network, but a call is impossible where no mobile network is present.
• If you have a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon, activate it according to its instructions and leave it transmitting. With a two-way communicator, respond to the rescue coordination messages. Register a 406 MHz beacon and keep its emergency-contact record current before the trip.
• Move to higher or more open ground only if it is safe. Do not leave an injured person alone unless seeking help is the only reasonable option. Record the casualty's coordinates and leave a competent person with them where possible.
• In the UK, emergencySMS must be registered before it is needed and still requires enough network coverage to send a text. It is useful for hearing or speech difficulties, but it is not a satellite service.
• A UK mountain distress signal is six whistle blasts or torch flashes in quick succession, repeated after a one-minute pause. Continue even if you hear a reply so rescuers can home in on the signal.

Cliffs, tides and cold water

Coastal and water emergencies

• Do not enter the water or climb down unstable cliffs to attempt a rescue unless you are trained and it is safe.
• Keep the person in sight. Note where they entered the water, their clothing and the direction of drift.
• Throw flotation or public rescue equipment from a safe position if available. Follow the emergency operator's instructions.
• If someone has been in cold water, they should be medically assessed even if they appear to recover.

Call before the situation worsens

If you are lost, stranded or someone is overdue

Five minutes before each walking day

Prepare so rescue can find you

• Share the exact plan.Give a trusted person the route, direction, stages, overnight stops and a clear time for raising concern. Tell them when you are safely in.
• Carry the route offline.Download the GPX and a proper offline map. Know how to read coordinates or the national grid used on your map.
• Keep power in reserve.Start with a charged phone, carry a suitable power bank, use battery-saving mode and protect devices from water and cold.
• Pack for an enforced stop.Carry insulation, waterproofs, an emergency shelter, first-aid supplies, whistle, headtorch, spare food and any essential medication.
• Check the day's hazards.Review official weather, trail notices, river conditions, tides, ferry status, wildfire or volcanic alerts and available escape routes.
• Set up local tools in advance.Register UK emergencySMS if relevant. For Iceland use SafeTravel/112 Iceland; for Switzerland consider the Rega app. Test apps before the trip and never treat them as your only means of raising help.