General

Reasons people get lost:

• Little or no knowledge of map reading/land navigation.
• Do not know how to relate the map to the ground and vise versa.
• Do not have a compass, or do not know how to use the compass.
• Only have a GPS, but no spare batteries.
• Tiredness.
• Bad weather
• Night.

Things that should be considered:

• Time your distance: Understanding how far you have travelled and when you are supposed to reach the next visible reference point, should warn you of when you are on the wrong route.
• Check your position: When you come across and easily recognisable (collecting feature), for example a bridge over a stream, check your position on the map to confirm this.
• Uphill and downhill: Are you presently walking uphill or downhill? Look at the map and check if the terrain corresponds with the map.
• Water: Remember water flows downhill, (assuming that the laws of gravity have not been repealed). On the map the source of the water will be on the highest ground.

When lost

• Stop, sit down, collect your thoughts, if you have one make a brew, nothing like a cuppa.
• GPS, if you have one check your position.
• Take stock of the information you have. Where were you last sure of your position.
• How far have you walked since then.
• Look for recognisable features you can locate on the map.
• Caculate speed, time and distance from last known position.
• Take a back bearing and go back to your last known position.

Planning a Walk

Before embarking on a walk, run through a check list, remember the weather can change very quickly, especially in Scotland and it can be quite unforgivable.

Have a clearly planned route, with emergency procedures in case of accidents or inclement weather.

Think about the following:

• Is the route within your capabilities and other members of the party. Remember you can only go as fast has the slowest member of the party.
• Are you properly equipped for the type of walk you are doing.
• Check the latest weather forecast.
• Fill out a route card, leave with a responsible person.
• Something to eat and drink.
• Make sure you have a first aid pack. Also emergency bivvy and torch with spare batteries.
• Make sure you have a whistle, and know the emergency signal.
• Correct map in waterproof case and compass.
  

• Emergency Signal

  The emergency signal is six whistle blasts followed by one minutes silence then repeated again, anyone who recognises the signal he or she will answer with 3 whistle blasts, followed by a minutes silence then 3 more whistle blasts to confirm.

  At night the same procedure can be carried out with a torch or a combination of both.

• Equipment

  Proper windproof and waterproof clothing must be worn, or packed in the back pack. (Dress and pack for the weather expected). Hat or some sort of covering for the head, also gloves. Walking trousers. Jeans are a no/no nothing worse trying to walk with wet jeans on, all you will end up with is sores.

  Bergen/Back Pack;

  Ideally for a days walking a 30/40 litre back pack is fine, anything bigger and you tend to overload.

  What you should either have on your person, or in the back pack:

  • First aid kit. You can either buy one or make one up.
  • Map of the area in a waterproof cover.
  • Compass, it's advisable to also carry a spare.
  • Whistle attached to your jacket.
  • Torch with spare batteries and bulb.
  • Notebook and pencil. You may have to send a message in an emergency.
  • Watch.
  • Waterproof matches or lighter.
  • Toilet paper + small trowel. Think of the enviroment and other walkers.
  • Insect repellant. Depending on the time of year.
  • Several plastic bags. Ideal for putting wet clothes in.
  • Emergency bivvy or survival bag. You never know?
  • Pen knife or multi tool. Must have.
  • Spare boot laces, nothing worse trying to repair a broken lace and then you cannot do your boots up properly.
  • Some electricians tape small role, very good for patching up tears and holes, place a bit on both sides of the tear or hole and press together.
  • Something to eat and drink.
  • Small stove, mess tin

  Note: When out walking a good habit to get into is every time you stop for a break or rest, prior to moving, physically check the area. There is nothing worse finding out that you have left something at that location. In my travels I have found maps, notebooks, flask cups that people have forgot to pick up.

  Accidents do happen especially when you are not expecting them, and weather conditions can change very quickly.

  So Remember the 7 P's.

  Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

• Fatigue

  Fatigue can cause the following problems:

  • Tiredness
  • Disorientation.

  What causes fatigue:

  • Not eating and drinking enough before or during the walk.
  • Attempting a walk that is far beyond your capabilities, or the teams.
  • Not enough sleep or rest prior to the walk, we have all done it especially when in a group the night before.
  • Terrain more demanding than realised.
  • Weather turns nasty, walking into a strong head wind, energy sapping.
  • Not properly equipped for the conditions encountered, especially if the weather changed for the worse.
    

 Route Card

The purpose of a route card is to let others know where you are going and when you are due to return, also a reference and navigation aid for yourself.

A route card is a good training aid as it makes you study your intended route in detail as you complete it.

A route card can be simple or comprehensive. There are numerous variations that can be viewed on any outdoor web site.

The main thing you should remember is that when you return you should either collect or cancel your route card. On numerous occassion's rescue teams have been called out due to people failing to do this.