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Choosing a route
- Pick a route with some interest on the way
- Try for a circular walk and pick a starting point with plenty of parking space
- Start small – if they like it next time you can always go further. Girls who are chatty will walk 2-3km/h, but try with your unit to see how fast they actually go.
- Look for escape routes in case of problems
- Look for a sheltered low lunch spot
- Walk the route yourself beforehand. You could prepare a questionnaire for the girls to complete to keep them entertained
- Avoid river/stream crossings except at bridges, fords etc
[Click on the Read more... link below to find out about What Forms You Need, Kit, Route card, Preparing Girls, and Dealing with Emergencies. You can also download this article as a fact sheet]
What Forms Do You Need
- Permission for anyone under 18 with new consent form or customised version; leave copy of emergency contact details with home contact
- New Health Form for everyone
- Inform your walking advisor and ensure you are qualified to walk your route
- Inform your DC
Kit
- Ensure all have sensible shoes / walking boots
- Comfortable clothes for walking in
- All equipment should be carried in a comfortable rucksack
- Waterproof trousers and coat
- Sun hat and Sun cream or warm hat and gloves
- Personal medication if appropriate and personal first aid kit
- Packed lunch
- Drink (at least ¾ litre of water to drink)
In group:
- First aid kit (Plasters, Crepe bandage, Safety pin, Triangular bandage, Protective gloves, dressings, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, antihistamine cream (if have permission to use), sanitary towel, blister treatment)
- Compass and Map in map case – might want extra if want girls to lead/learn
- Mobile phone with credit and money
- Emergency food rations (eg chocolate)
- Whistle
- Shelter / bivvy bag
- Warm drink
- Extra clothing
- Watch
- Paperwork – permission and health forms, location of hospital/doctor/dentist, contact details of home contact
- Route card
Route card
- Record names of your Leader and Group
- Record starting point – name and GR
- Divide route into several legs
- Pick first leg destination, record name and GR
- Work out bearing to leg destination, measure distance, calculate time at 2km/hour and record any details of the route, including any escape routes you could use
- Add up totals for the day
- Take one copy with you and leave one with home contact
Prepare girls
- Get them to bring in kit before hand
- Train them on basic map skills
- Go out in evening on short local walk to get them used to it
On the walk
Keep group interested; maintain morale; set appropriate pace; adapt to conditions.
Emergencies
Stop Assess the situation
Danger Prevent further injury to self, group or casualties
First Aid Render First Aid to injured. Remember priorities and ABC
Shelter Can the casualty be moved? If yes, remove to a sheltered spot and/or use group shelter. If not, use your group shelter or build a shelter around the casualty
Group Check condition of rest of group
Reassure Reassure casualty and the rest of the group
Plan Plan what to do next: you may be able to continue after a short rest, you may
need to cut the walk using an escape route, or you may need outside help
If help is needed Write down:
Grid reference and description of exact location
Nature of ground
Time of incident
Name(s) of casualty(ies)
Brief history of incident
Nature of injuries or condition
Group details – number, average ages, condition
Equipment carried
Home contact name and phone
You may be able to use a mobile phone
Instructions Issue clear instructions to both groups
Group Divides
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· Two people go to summon help with written message
· Where? Telephone Kiosk, farmhouse, vehicle, other walkers
· Who do you ask for?
· Dial 999 for Ambulance or Police for Mountain rescue. Dial home contact for minor emergencies
· Stay by the phone and await further instructions or to give more information
· Inform home contact of situation
· Be prepared to lead rescue party back to group
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· Remainder of party stay with casualty
· Perform any treatment necessary
· Monitor casualty’s condition
· Keep casualty and group as warm and comfortable as possible
· Reassure and comfort
· Make site as visible as possible
· Attract attention using International Distress Signal: six blasts then a minute’s silence
· Listen for reply: three blasts per minute
· Maintain watch
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Last Updated on Friday, 20 May 2011 21:17 |
