Although walking is a relatively low-risk activity, here is some advice about keeping your group as safe as possible, and how to respond if an incident occurs.

The vast majority of walks are incident-free, but sometimes things can go wrong. Someone may trip and fall or start to feel unwell, and in rare cases you may be faced with a serious emergency. These are the safeguards we advise.

🩺 First Aid

As a leader please encourage all walkers to:

• Carry an In Case of Emergency (ICE) card in their rucksack. (Supplies of laminated Ramblers ICE cards are available from the Walks Programme Coordinator.)
• Bring a basic first aid kit. A personal mini kit (or “ouch pouch”) might include blister plasters, antiseptic wipes, dressings, tic removers, painkillers, antihistamines, and any personal medication. Leaders may need more, depending on terrain — see Ramblers’ advice here.
• Install one of these free mobile apps: 👉 St John Ambulance First Aid or 👉 British Red Cross First Aid

There is also a Ramblers e-learning module for registered volunteers called Preventing and Managing Incidents. It covers preparation (e.g. doing a recce, checking the weather, packing a first aid kit) and what to do if an incident occurs. All walk leaders are advised to complete this training.

It is, however, a shared responsibility to help in an emergency. Everyone is encouraged to brush up on first aid skills to confidently assist rather than relying solely on leaders. Useful resources include:

• First Aid for Outdoor Pursuits (YouTube)
• Learn CPR — British Heart Foundation

The more walkers can assist leaders, the better. Any walker could help with first aid, identifying location, or escorting someone back to their car.

📍 Identifying Your Location

Leaders must be able to identify their location in case someone needs to be assisted back to their car, or if paramedics are required. Recommended free apps:

• What3words — every 3m square worldwide has a unique 3-word identity (can also show OS Grid Ref).
• OS Locate — converts GPS location to Ordnance Survey National Grid references.

If a serious accident occurs:

• Dial 999 or 112. If reception is poor, you may still text 999. (pre-register by texting register to 999) 

🐄 Staying Safe When Walking Near Cattle

Many LWR members will have read with sadness that a man was recently killed (2020) by cattle while walking his dog in a field near Ripon. Tragically, he was the third walker to lose his life in Yorkshire this year (2020).

Between 2018 and 2019, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated 43 incidents involving people being injured or killed by cattle. In 18 of those cases, a dog was present.

Although such incidents are rare, both the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Ramblers have issued safety guidance for walkers. While dogs are not permitted on LWR walks, the advice on dogs is included here for members who are also dog owners.

DO

• Stay alert, especially when entering a field where you cannot see all of it.
• Take extra care in spring when animals are rearing young—always give them plenty of space.
• Keep as much distance as possible between yourself and the animals.
• Avoid getting between cows and their calves.
• Move quietly and calmly; if possible, walk around the herd rather than through it.
• If you have a dog, keep it close and always on a lead.

DON’T

• If cattle become aggressive, do not hold on to your dog—let it go, so it can run to safety.
• Don’t put yourself at risk; if necessary, find an alternative route around the cattle and rejoin the footpath later.
• Don’t panic or run—most cattle will stop before reaching you.