Lake District's mountain rescue teams are urging people to stay safe in the fells

So far this year, the volunteer groups have had 20 fatal rescues

Author: May NormanPublished 16th Aug 2024

The Lake District's mountain rescue teams are urging people to know their limits before attempting to tackle the fells or lakes.

The volunteer group is concerned by the number of call outs, and fatal rescues, they're currently experiencing.

Richard Warren is part of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association:

"Tragically, this year we really are having a lot of fatal incidents to deal with quite a lot of cardiac arrests. Heart attacks can happen in the valley bottom or on a mountain. I think the difference for mountain activities and outdoor activities is you're not always close to where an ambulance can get to you.

"I believe good levels of fitness are really important and during the summer months, when the temperature is high, it can become even more strenuous so being reasonably fit and healthy is pretty important.

"We've had a couple of tragic drowning incidents even with a young child. Windermere kayaking incidents, where people have been blown over on the kayak, stand up paddle boarders and open water swimmers. The water is also a dangerous place to be. It is cold even though it's warm. On the surface, so cold water shock is a big issue.

"Fatalities are tragic and so far this year in Lake District, we've had 20. And when you compare it to this time last year, we had only had 8. Typically, we might get anywhere from 20 to 30 in a year."

Mr Warren continued:

"Advice is always very difficult because of the various levels of experience, but generally advice is very much around trying to get people to actually go to the Be Adventure Smart website because that has some important information.

"People who are going out on adventurous activities, whether it's mountain climb, mountain biking, water activities or fell walking, three questions are very simple, really. Do I have the necessary skills to do what I'm about to do? Second question is have I checked the weather?

"And the final question, have I got the necessary gear, the equipment that I'll need to go out and do whatever I want to do, enjoyable, enjoyably and safely?

"But in addition to everything that's on the adventure smart website.

"I think the messages that I've always tried to get across, as do all the teams, is don't rely on smart technology. Smart technology on mobile phones is fantastic. We use it, but we also carry backup.

"And power banks. And we always have a map and a compass as a fall back because batteries can die. You might drop your phone. So yeah, having a map and compass is pretty important, as is having a torch because even though you know the.

"The evenings are long before it gets dark. If you get lost on the mountain and get down in the wrong valley and then have to come back up again before you know what where you are.

"And night's drawn in, and particularly if you come across somebody who is injured and you have to stay with them."

For more information, head to the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association website.

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