Compass Companion's Rescue info
See also | Guidelines for Group Leaders | International Distress Signal | Whistles |

Mobile Phones - friend or foe?

The Police receive about 30 thousand false alarms due to accidental pressing of keys each year. It seems that in a large majority of cases the owners were not even aware of pressing any keys.
The carrying of Mobile Phones has caused problems for Police and Mountain Rescue Teams because it is all to easy to call for help without considering the situation first. Their roll is to help us in a life threatening situation (while risking their own) - so please...

Stop, Think and Evaluate the situation - before you make the call
(many 999 calls have made due to mistaking a sheep cry for a human cry).

These guidelines will help you - and the Rescue Services

  • Carrying a mobile phone is no guarantee of assistance should you have an accident.
  • You cannot guarantee Signal Reception or battery power. 
  • Ensure the battery is fully charged beforehand.
  • ALWAYS lock the phone keypad when not in use.
  • Don't annoy others with your idle 'chit-chat' - they go outdoors to get away from phones and there is nothing worse than hearing someone's phone ringing on top of a mountain!
  • Never put yourself in danger trying to get a Signal to help others in distress - one victim is bad enough, plus you won't be able to help them if you have an accident!
  • If you need to call the Police in an EMERGENCY situation...
BEFORE REPORTING THE ACCIDENT...
Ask yourself:
    • Can I help the victim (or help myself if I'm the victim). 
    • Have I gathered all the relevant information the Police will require? (this also saves vital battery power and ensures the Police have the correct information to act on) 

The Police (and rescue services) require the following information to decide what action to take i.e. to send a helicopter or not.
Write down on your map as many of these as possible (we all forget under stress):

  • Exact position and name of location.
  • Six figure Grid Reference and Grid letters.
  • How many victims?
  • Nature of the injuries and cause.
  • First Aid given to victim(s).
  • Pulse record(s).
  • Time of accident.
  • Name(s), Address(s), Age(s) of all victims - if known.
  • Condition of the remainder of the party (non injured may be exhausted).
  • What 'markers' have been used to identify the victim(s) position.
  • Best approach (access) to the victim.
REPORTING THE ACCIDENT

    • Check phone reception signal, if signal is poor, move around until reception is good - without putting yourself in danger.
    • When you dial 999 (or 112) ask for the Police - NOT the Mountain Rescue.
    • Speak slowly and carefully
    • Give:  your name, your phone number, your exact location and locality.
    • Give all the information that you have written down on the map.
    • Give the map make and map number.
    • Obey all instructions (Note: Police are trained to handle calls of this nature and will also be able to provide specialist help if required i.e. resuscitation)
    Keep an eye on the Signal Reception Icon on your phone if you need to seek shelter while waiting for the Police to arrive.
  • Keep the mobile phone switched on
  • Do not use the phone to telephone anyone else
  • Do not move your location (you may lose reception and the Police may need to ring you).
  • Protect yourself from the elements (within Phone Reception Area)
  • Don't forget to keep a careful watch on the victims condition

See also our new page - Guidelines for Group Leaders
All this information is available on the Accident Procedures card

Please remember: carrying a mobile phone is no guarantee of assistance should you have an accident. You cannot even guarantee that you will have Signal Reception.

Poetry Trail...

It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end. Ursula K Le Guin

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