HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR Mountain emergencies

THE VAST MAJORITY of visits to the mountains are safe, successful and fun. But on rare occasions things, well, don’t quite go to plan.

We all hope the worst won’t happen – but if it does, what equipment or apps will come in useful? How do you call for Mountain Rescue, and what do you need to tell them? If your phone hasn’t got signal, how do you attract attention? How do you stay warm and sheltered if you need to wait for help?

Thankfully, a range of equipment, techniques and procedures have been developed for dealing with emergencies and attracting help, and knowing what they are can literally prove life-saving.

KIT: what do you need in your pack?

Let’s look at a few key pieces of gear