Learn how to prepare for outdoor emergencies with practical planning advice covering communication, emergency contacts, equipment, contingencies and response procedures.
Activity Overview Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Suitable outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Navigation, route planning, situational awareness, map reading, decision-making, group management The best way to deal with becoming lost is to avoid becoming lost in the first place. Good navigation is not simply knowing how to use a compass. It means continually…
Activity Overview Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Suitable indoor or outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Emergency procedures, leadership, communication, headcounts, search planning, risk assessment A lost-person situation should be treated as an emergency that needs an organised response, not as an excuse for everyone to immediately spread out and search. The first priorities are…
Activity Overview Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Suitable indoor or outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Decision-making, navigation, emergency planning, situational awareness, risk assessment When something goes wrong outdoors, one of the most important decisions is whether to stay where you are or move to somewhere else. Moving may take you towards safety, help, shelter…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Campsites, woodland, open countryside and suitable outdoor training areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Emergency communication, signalling, navigation, situational awareness and emergency planning Emergency signalling is about getting attention, communicating that you need help and making your location easier to find. The best method depends on…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Woodlands can look peaceful and familiar, but they are still natural environments with hazards that can change with the weather and season. Before heading out, consider the forecast, your route, daylight hours and the equipment you need. If you’re part of a Scout group or organised activity, follow your leader’s instructions and…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Survival skills are designed to help you manage unexpected situations, not encourage unnecessary risk. The best survival strategy is to avoid getting into trouble in the first place through good planning, appropriate equipment and sensible decision-making. If you’re lost, injured or facing a genuine emergency, contact the appropriate emergency services as soon…
Why Storm Safety Matters Storms are one of those hazards that can change an outdoor situation very quickly. A walk that started in sunshine can become cold, wet and windy. A campsite that seemed perfectly safe can suddenly be surrounded by falling branches. A stream that was easy to cross can become dangerously fast after…
What Are Survival Priorities? When something goes wrong outdoors, it can be tempting to start thinking about everything you might need. You need food. You need water. You need a fire. You need shelter. You need to find your way home. But trying to do everything at once can lead to poor decisions. Survival priorities…
