Mountain Rescue Awareness Day - steps to safer adventures
Does your group have the right kit? Are you prepared for a change in the weather? When will it start getting dark?
Mountain Rescue Awareness Day (25 October) exists to draw attention to the work of the dedicated volunteers who head out in all weathers, day and night, to help people in trouble in the hills.
These teams are a vital emergency partner for school groups visiting places like the Peak District, the Lake District and Eryri to name just a few.
Outdoor activities like hillwalking, orienteering and DofE expeditions give young people the chance to explore the wilder parts of our incredible island but sometimes Nature has other plans. It’s never too late to adapt your activities.
Call-outs to Mountain Rescue teams continue to climb; Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) recorded 3,968 calls for assistance and 3,175 team deployments during 2025 - there were only 3 days without a call-out. Even experienced walkers can be caught out by changing conditions and as we head into winter, it’s particularly important to be prepared and make good choices. This year, Mountain Rescue and its partners are calling on everyone planning a walk, hike or climb to ensure they’re prepared for the weather, and have the right skills and equipment for a safe adventure outdoors.
The weather changes quickly in the Lake District
Are your staff experienced, competent, and confident?
Do they have relevant qualifications and experience?
- see Beyond the Gates 4.9 Open Country Activities for a helpful list of what’s needed.
3 steps to safer adventures
On Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, here are some top tips to think about the next time you’re heading out with your group.
1. Expect the unexpected. If the weather turns, someone feels unwell or the route isn’t quite what you expected, it’s the right call to change your plans. Having alternative routes or activities up your sleeve means you can adapt and still give everyone a great day.
2. Trust your judgement. Risk assessment doesn’t end when the forms are done. You’ll be making lots of small decisions as things change, and that’s 'dynamic risk assessment' in action. Talking through ‘what if’ scenarios with your team before you go can really help everyone feel confident making those calls together.
3. Share the learning. When young people see you pause, think and adjust, they learn how and why good adventurers adapt. It’s a brilliant way to teach mountain safety, and a skill they’ll carry for life.
Always check the latest forecasts and safety advice from mountain teams and National Parks. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.
For more advice, speak to your Educational Visits Adviser and see OEAP National Guidance at oeapng.info.
Be AdventureSmart
Being AdventureSmart means planning, checking and knowing how to get help if you need it.
Ask yourself 3 questions before you set off:
Am I confident I have the KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS for the day?
Do I know what the WEATHER will be like?
Do I have the right GEAR?
Schools and youth groups
Check out the free resources on the AdventureSmart website.
You can download leaflets, posters and videos to use in discussions with your groups before going on an adventure. They’re great for sharing with your school families too - help them to #Plan#Check#Pack before they go out into the wild.
Example leaflet available to download from AdventureSmart
Providers
Join AdventureSmart as a partner to help spread these important safety messages. The campaign has lots of resources for you to use with your teams to help them learn and communicate key messages to the schools they support too.
EVOLVE Advice is proud to support the AdventureSmart UK & Ireland campaign to promote safer outdoor adventures.
AdventureSmart is a strategy for outdoor safety that encourages participation in the safe, responsible enjoyment of outdoor recreation. It is supported by a wide range of partners, including EVOLVE Advice, to help share clear and consistent messages with individuals and groups that are planning to enjoy the outdoors.
About AdventureSmart
The purpose of AdventureSmart UK & Ireland is to ensure that everyone in the UK and Ireland can access engaging, accurate and appropriate ‘good practice’ safety messaging delivered via a collaborative network of regional and national partners. Thereby empowering those venturing into the outdoors to make good decisions to manage their safety and that of their companions. https://www.adventuresmart.uk/
AdventureSmart messaging is informed by behavioural science, and the shared experience and insight of the partners and organisations involved.
About EVOLVE Advice
EVOLVE Advice are Educational Visits Advisers to over 4.500 schools and educational settings. Its advisers provide practical advice, training and guidance to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and increase high-quality opportunities. EVOLVE Advice supports EVCs and Visit Leaders to plan and deliver visits that are safe, impactful and fully compliant with national guidance and legislation.