Various rescue teams including mountains rescue teams and the RNLI have called on the public to use caution and common sense when holidaying in the UK this summer.
Lockdown has made foreign holidays almost impossible and thousands of people who would usually go abroad during the summer will be holidaying at home.
While this is fantastic news for local tourism which has suffered badly because of lockdown, it also brings added pressure to rescue services.
Mountain Rescue England and Wales is the umbrella body for 49 volunteer mountain rescue teams and eight regional bodies in England and Wales, while Scotland is home to 27 rescue teams. These teams, along with the RNLI and some coastguard services are all manned by volunteers who give their time freely to ensure that we can enjoy the outdoors safely.
These volunteers are on call 24 hours a day 365 days a year in all-weather to provide assistance to those who need it.
Lockdown restrictions have provided some new challenges as people who are not fully aware of the potential hazards venture out to try new experiences.
Most of these teams are charities who rely heavily on donations to keep them operating. Lockdown has brought extra challenges in this area as fund-raising events have been cancelled and charity shops stayed closed.
Rescue equipment is expensive and needs to be maintained to the highest standards to protect those who need rescuing and those who give their time so selflessly.
Stories abound of people who have needed rescuing because they were ill-prepared. There is also the rather tragic story of an experienced mountaineer who suffered life-changing injuries whilst trying to rescue people who were ill-equipped for their adventure. It is vital that we all prepare adequately and ensure that we have done everything possible to keep ourselves safe and not put rescue teams at risk unnecessarily.
If you are planning to enjoy the outdoors here’s a checklist of kit you might find usefulOutdoor Walking Kit
- Waterproof clothing is essential regardless of the weather forecast.
- Sunglasses, Hats, Gloves & Buffs – Sunglasses aren’t just for summer, they can protect your eyes from wind and glare even in winter. Sun hat, rain hat, warm hat – you’ll probably need one of them and a pair of gloves and a scarf in your backpack won’t go amiss.
- First Aid Kit, Whistle and Torch – A small first aid kit, a reliable torch and a police whistle.
- Sandwiches and Snacks – A well-filled sandwich or pasta in sauce are great options. Trail mix combination of nuts and dried fruit is a great source of energy and relatively heat-resistant.
- Water – Keeping hydrated is vital to a good walk. Depending on how long you’re walking for, you could need up to2 litres!
- Sunscreen – Always
- Map and Compass – Always familiarise yourself with the route and even if you know it well make sure you have a map and compass or GPS device out with you. You never know when you might have to change track, and you can end up stranded if you can’t find an alternative route. Another useful app is ‘OS Locate’ which is free and available for both iOS and Android mobile systems. This app will give you a grid reference for your current location and works whether you have a phone signal or not.
- Walking Poles – A help or a hinderance? Walking poles can be useful for helping you to move more confidently over difficult terrain, or to provide support to your knees if needed. They can also come in handy for crossing streams or uncertain-looking bogs! Just make sure you know how to use them.
So, if you’re out there enjoying the countryside and/or the seaside please follow the rules. Keep yourself safe, keep the volunteers safe and enjoy the countryside.
White Knight provides handheld rescue torches to rescue services across the UK. We also offer a bespoke design service to create the perfect portable lighting for your situation. Give us a call on +44 (0)23 9266 8624 if you need reliable, easy to use, lightweight, portable,emergency lighting.
