Safety in the Mountains Guidelines

Safety Preparation and First Impressions:

The Brecon Beacons Mountains may at first give the impression of being green and pleasant but the weather can change rapidly. It is essential when you go walking to be well equipped at all times of the year.

The ground is often rough and wet. A footpath can easily give way to tussocky grass or wet stony ground in a matter of a few yards. Expect a footpath to be uneven, wet and slippery, eroded, and in other ways hazardous. Be prepared for this.

Walking boots are essential all year round.

Warm & windproof clothing with waterproofs up to the task need to be taken even when the weather appears good. Jeans are particularly unsuitable as they may shrink tightly on you when wet and are cold. Corduroy trousers are equally unsuitable as they become heavy and cold when wet. Warm clothing that lets the wind through will be ineffective at keeping you warm. 

In cold conditions gloves and headgear are essential. Seek advice on suitable clothing, footwear and other equipment before venturing into the mountains.

Hot summer days also require the right equipment including extra water, a wide brimmed sun hat, and suitable sun protection cream.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority have an excellent leaflet entitled "Be Safe" which you should consult and which can be downloaded here.

Dyfed Powys Police force have a leaflet which gives excellent advice on sponsored walks.

Consider training courses in Mountain First Aid, Safety in the Hills and Mountain Expedition Training such as those provided by Bigfoot Services which is based in the Brecon Beacons National Park. There are other companies as well so check them out. Further information on selecting a suitable training course can be obtained from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.
 

Safety in the Mountains Guidelines - Further Information.

Check List for Gear  Maps   Keep to Footpaths Weather    Route Card   Walk Leaders Guidance Safety in the Mountains   Check List for Gear         Emergency  Mountain Rescue Maps   Keep to Footpaths Weather    Camping   Route Card   Walk Leaders Guidance    First Aid  Walkers Guide to Lyme Disease Walking for Health with the Ramblers     

Safety in the Mountains Guidelines:

Treat these Mountains with Respect

Before walking in the mountains consider taking a recognised navigation course recommended such as  by the National Navigation Award Scheme.

Plan your route before going - leave a copy of the route plan with friends or family - phone back to base at first opportunity if you are delayed.

Time your route - remember shorter days in Winter longer in summer check locally what time the sunsets - aim to be back at least one hour before dark - one useful formula suggests that you allow one hour for every 2.5 miles (4km) plus at least one hour for every 1500 ft (450m) of ascent - allow more time the less fit you are - the less experienced you are - the less familiar you are with the landscape - 

If travelling in a group keep together - let the slowest determine the pace - make sure everyone knows the route - it is advisable that everyone should carry their own map & compass, etc

Good navigation skills will help you avoid hazards such as steep drops or vertical edges. Water in streams, rivers reservoirs and pools is always cold summer and winter. Fast moving water, uneven unseen river beds, vegetation in mountain pools and hidden deep areas can be dangerous to swimmers or when attempting to cross.

Watch the weather throughout the day - always keep a check on your location incase visibility deteriorates suddenly - stay close together in bad weather - watch out for signs of hypothermia.

Do not attempt to explore caves, quarries or mine entrances.

In Emergency:

If you are on your own try to summon help by using a whistle or torch or flares or mobile phone.

To contact rescue services get to a phone and dial 999 and ask for Police they will call out the Mountain Rescue teams - try and give them an accurate map reading or description of the location of the injured or lost party. Remember you are likely to be talking to an operator unfamiliar with the Brecon Beacons locality.

- mobile phone coverage is patchy in the Brecon Beacons as in other mountain areas of the UK. As a general rule you are more likely to get a signal on high ground than in a valley or below a mountain ridge.

The website does not offer any guarantee or otherwise regarding the services or information available from external links and visitors. Disclaimer.

Mountain Rescue:

Mountain rescue services in the Brecon Beacons National park are provided by volunteer civilian and service teams working with the Police. Please follow these guidelines and others with care so that you do not place yourself or others at risk

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team Longtown Mountain Rescue Team

Mountain Rescue Association  SARDA - Search and Rescue Dogs Association

On the Hills - Mountain Safety Flyer    Brecon Beacons National Park Safety in the Mountains Guide - download a .pdf file.

Camping Guidelines:   

• to camp anywhere in the Brecon Beacons National Park requires the permission of the landowner

• this includes areas of open land

• special bylaws prohibit camping on National Trust land

• farmers and other landowners may give permission to camp on enclosed land for which there maybe a fee  

Camping Sites in the Brecon Beacons

First Aid:

First Aid best practice is constantly under review. Seriously consider taking a proper accredited training course run by an organisation such as St. Johns or the British Mountaineering Council. 

First aid to an injured person requires more detailed advice than can be included here.

• Best advice take a mountain first aid course contact British Mountaineering Council for advice on Mountain first Aid and further documentation or training on Safety in the Mountains.

• Simplest advice carry a first aid kit such as the Gregson Kit which includes easy to read advice on first aid as part of the carrying case

• Be sure to take an accredited First Aid Course such as the St. Johns and follow up with a specialist Mountain Fist Aid Course.

• First Aid Kits Online

• Irish Ambulance Service First Aid Website

• OA Guide to First Aid & Safety Information on the Internet

• OA Guide to Heat Related Illnesses & Fluid Balance
• OA Guide to Hypothermia & Cold Weather Injuries
• OA Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization & Illness
• Rocky Mountain Survival group
• Survival Centre Medical FAQ

The Phonetic Alphabet:

If you have to spell out a difficult name of a location which may not be easily recognised then the phonetic alphabet may be helpful. Carry a copy with you and memorize it.

A-ALPHA B-BRAVO C-CHARLIE D-DELTA E-ECHO F-FOXTROT G-GOLF H-HOTEL I-INDIA J-JULIET K-KILO L-LIMA M-MIKE   N-NOVEMBER O-OCTOBER P-PAPA Q-QUEBEC R-ROMEO S-SIERRA T-TANGO U-UNIFORM V-VICTOR    W-WHISKEY X-X-RAY Y-YANKEE Z-ZULU