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Equipment
Every
hiker should carry the following emergency items:
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A
whistle - this can be used to call for help with a series of six long
blasts in quick succession, with one-minute intervals between each
series. Respond to a call for help with a series of three long blasts
in quick succession, with a one-minute interval between each series. Yelling
or shouting for help is seldom effective, especially in windy conditions,
but long whistle blasts carry a great distance.
-
An
aluminium emergency blanket - these are cheap, light and will fit in a shirt
pocket, although that is not the place to carry one! They can be used for
extra insulation, waterproofing, medical emergencies such as shock, or
ground-to-air signalling.
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Spare
torch batteries
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Spare
boot laces
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Your
own plaster strips for minor cuts and injuries
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A
penknife with most of the common options (e.g. can-opener)
For
the more serious escarpment hikes, the group should preferably also have the
following items:
-
Signalling
mirror - this is a flat, polished aluminium rectangle with a hole in it, and
is used to draw the attention of rescue aircraft or ground teams. Read the
instructions that come with the mirror so that you know how to line it up to
reflect sunlight towards an aircraft.
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Pencil
flares - used for the same purpose, but usually in poor light or at night.
Never allow anyone to play with these or set them off for fun - they are
potentially dangerous, may result in an unnecessary rescue effort, and in
winter they can cause a grass fire.
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A
list of Morse code and ground-to-air signals.
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Water
purification tablets - these may prove useful in winter when running water
may be scarce and you have to share a stagnant pond with some of the local
fauna.
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