Intro to Compass Companion

Emergency Action Card

Our cards are designed to help you survive an accident in an outdoor environment. Innovative and inexpensive and considered to be the best format available - anywhere in the world! 
If you've never heard of us, then spend a few minutes here - you won't be disappointed!
If you read any of the outdoor pursuits magazines (press reviews) then you may know a little about us or have even purchased one of our cards. If so, you have taken a responsible attitude to your pastime and helped to make the role of the Mountain Rescue Teams much easier. Many thanks and please - spread the word!

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Necessity is the mother of invention

Compass Companion was created because of the old saying 'necessity is the mother of invention'. I was walking one Autumn on Snowdon in North Wales (UK) and my walking partner commented over a cup of hot soup......"what would I need to do if you had an accident?" Realizing that my partner didn't know much about mountain accident procedures or First Aid, I decided that perhaps it would be helpful if I wrote some guidelines for her to carry in her rucksack. No sooner said than done, two polybags were filled with the main pointers for most common accidents. I then came to the conclusion that lots of other people must be in the same position. After all, not many manage to go on outdoor courses - either because of the expense or simply because they think they're too careful and won't have an accident. This little idea led to the 'Emergency Action Card' being developed.
At first, enquiries to find a tough waterproof material to make the card seemed hopeless unless PVC was used. Unfortunately, PVC produces toxic fumes as a by-product in its production. This was very undesirable for outdoor lovers as I would be destroying this wonderful habitat that we so adore!. Further research led me to a new type of plastic which does not produce any toxic fumes. Not only was this new plastic almost impossible to destroy (none ever returned), but it was also totally waterproof and the text was unaffected even if the card was bent double - thousands of times! Perfect! Another bonus was that the cost enabled the cards to be retailed at very little expense, thereby encouraging everyone to carry it. No wonder the Rescue Services love it! All of us engaged in outdoor activities should remember that it is unfair to ask those volunteers to risk their lives for us unless we take reasonable precautions ourselves! The Rescue Services are not there to take unnecessary risks just because we can't be bothered to take some simple precautions before we venture outdoors.

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Compass Direction Finder card

I was giving a newly formed walking group a course on map reading and after each lesson several of the group approached and commented..... "compass use seems almost like a degree course or medieval magic, its so hard to remember!" Thinking about this I decided that perhaps it might be worthwhile making a "compass card" Easier said than done! Still, after many attempts at shrinking a lot of knowledge onto such a small space as a credit card the 'Compass Direction Finder' was created and the response was fantastic!

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Accident Procedures card 

Mobile phones - love 'em or hate 'em! These clever devices led to the launch of the 'Accident Procedures' card
Why? Because members of the Rescue Service asked! They are appalled at the mis-use of these little devils- They are just too handy! They are quite often used by total idiots who think it is ok to call them out for the slightest reason! Reasons such as "I'm lost," "I've no waterproof and it won't stop raining," "My mate's fallen and lost his car keys." Well,  first it is a bit unfair on them to expect them to come running just because we can't be bothered to carry a map or whatever! But seriously, it is a different situation if someone has a heart attack or has suspected head injuries. Would you know what to do AND under pressure?
Compass Companion^TM lead the way when it comes to accident survival, self help and rescue requirements in all outdoor pursuits. Our cards are used by Mountain Rescue Teams, National Search and Rescue Dog Association teams to raise funds. Also used by scores of Scout groups, Guides, County Councils, Army Cadets etc., and by thousands of individuals who know a good product when they see one! To date not one single card has been returned for ANY reason!

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