Please view our safety information for walking. It may keep you
alive! A little bit of knowledge used with common sense can go
along way... It must also
be made aware that all walkers walk at their own risk.
We don't want safety to become a difficult task that it stops the enjoyment we all seek from a trip into the countryside. However it is foolish going out without some idea of how to help prevent disasters from happening. To this end the Club has drawn up the following Safety Guidance Policy. This contains a list of recommendations that we hope will help while walking in Japan.
1. Club Interests
It is in the interests of Club safety that a clear policy be established. Any member deemed acting against Club interests as described in this policy may face appropriate action by the Club.
2. Equipment recommended to be carried on any Club Hike
By all Members
By Leaders and Deputy Leaders.
3. Hike rules
All decisions on Hikes will be made by the designated Hike Leader. Hike Leaders will be a Club Committee member or their designated appointees. For large groups each leader shall appoint a deputy leader to aid them. The Hikes Leader agrees to lead hikes on the basis that their advice should be followed as if they were in your position.
Group sizes will be kept to a maximum of about 10 during summer hikes, decreasing to about 7 on the harder winter hikes. Larger groups can become cumbersome and dangerous. This however will not mean people will be forced to do walks above their ability. The minimum size will be not less than 2/3, depending on abilities.
Members must consider whether they are fit enough, competent enough and confident enough before leaving to do a particular walk. If unsure please seek the advice of an experienced member. If in the opinion of the Hike Leader a member is not competent, fit or confident, then that member may be asked to find a more suitable plan.
Before setting out on the Hike, the Hike Leader must make a record of the group names and route. One copy to be carried on the hike, the other to be left at base.
No member may leave a group without consulting the Hike Leader.
Stick together - try not to lag behind but do tell the leader if the pace is too fast. The aim is to walk at the pace of the slowest group member. If anything is bothering you, feet hurt, pace too quick etc., please tell the other group members and hopefully it can be sorted out.
During the winter months the hills can be more beautiful, but with that beauty comes danger. Winter walking can be more difficult, more dangerous and much more tiring than attempting the same walk under different conditions. Policy regarding fitness, competance and confidence levels is that much more important during these months.
It must be emphasised that the Hikes Leader is there to help your enjoyment of the countryside. He/She will not be able to help you if you don't let them know if anything is wrong.
4. Travelling, Tours and Expeditions
Travelling to and from events the driver is in charge. His/her decisions are final and must be respected.
All the above statements concerning Hikes, route cards, etc., apply in respect to Hikes undertaken whilst on a Tour or an Expedition.
In case of a conflict of interests, a majority vote of the present committee members will be called. This decision is final and contravention of this decision is deemed against the interests of the club.
5.General
Use your common sense: be aware of your environment, check weather forecasts beforehand. If you are for any reason in doubt or unsure - let the Hike Leader know of your concerns.