Mountain Safety

Safety while walking with the Club

DOs & DON’Ts of HILLWALKING / HIKING

MCI WARNING:
The MI (Mountaineering Ireland) recognises that mountaineering and climbing are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

It is very important you read the following and if turning up for a hike you must have the essentials as we are generally not walking on tracks but across bogs, heather and some very wet areas as it’s Ireland!

DO – Bring the following essentials:

* Food (packed lunch) and hot drink (including some emergency rations (e.g. chocolate)
* Rucksack
* Hiking boots
* Raingear (jacket and leggings)
* Spare fleece, hat, gloves and socks
* A change of clothes and footwear (not to be brought on the walk itself)
* Water

The following items are also useful:

* Whistle
* Basic medical kit
* Head torch & battery
* Survival bag

In addition:

* Inform the leader if you suffer from a medical condition like epilepsy or diabetes.
Carry some form of personal identification and the name of someone who can be contacted in the event of an accident, e.g. parents, friends.
* Inform the leader if you’re feeling tired and “can’t keep up”.
* Jeans and cotton type tracksuit bottoms must not be worn on a hike as they soak in water like a sponge becoming very heavy, difficult to move in and keep the wearer cold which is dangerous.

DON’Ts:

* Don’t become separated from the group particularly in conditions of poor visibility. It’s poor consolation if, having “spent a penny” behind a bush, you’re also relieved of the rest of the group!
* Don’t leave litter.
* Don’t damage property or unnecessarily go though private land.
* Don’t assume because it’s sunny in Dublin that it will be sunny and hot in the Wicklow hills. In general, temperatures drop 2-3 degrees for each 1,000ft. climbed.
* Don’t exceed your limitations. Rain and cold can cause exposure. Overheating can also cause serious problems sometimes a lot more quickly than the cold.
* Don’t obstruct or hinder traffic when walking along the road.

TELL the Leader if you have a problem as it could become a lot bigger and more serious later on.

NB: Code of Practice for hiking in the mist

* If you need to have a toilet stop, please inform your group leader.
* If you get lost, stay where you are for at least 30 minutes. If you do so, the leader will be able to navigate his/her way back to you.