Standard operating procedures for Trekking on Foot.
The SOPs are designed to aid in the safety and group management for independent
instructors and centres, they are not a reproduction of the instructors training nor is it
a list of instructor techniques or lesson plans. It is the responsibility of the instructor
and centres to follow the SOPs failure to do so may lead to criminal convictions due
to negligence.
Activities involved are undertaken on foot and may be conducted on a day or multi-
day expedition basis, the activities take place on tracks, open land, forest, moorland,
scree rock, snow/ice under winter conditions.
Activities within this section:
Camping
Remote camping/bivouacking/bothying
Hillwalking
Multi-day expeditions (including Duke of Edinburgh’s award)
Mountaineering (without ropes)
Orienteering on foot
location:
Lowland open land
Glens
Mountains
Open country beyond vehicle-based road access
Qualifications
All leaders are to hold current first aid certificates, and should operate within the
remit of their qualification. The following information is for guidance only. Refer to
relevant governing bodies for complete remit information.
BEL (Basic Expedition Leader): Summer conditions
Low-lying rural countryside, farmland, valleys, and small areas of forest.
Lowland glens and valleys from which reliable access to communication or external
assistance is feasible without undue delay.
Gentle to moderately rolling terrain with no steep slopes to negotiate.
Camping on Official sites and in farm-based fields with access to toilets and tap
water
WGL (Walking Group Leader): Summer Conditions
Above areas plus
Open, uncultivated, non-mountainous high or remote country, known variously as
upland, moor, bog, fell, hill or down
Areas enclosed by well-defined geographical or man-made boundaries such as
classified roads (areas that merge with mountain regions and do not have well-
defined boundaries are excluded)
Areas of remoteness that are easily exited in a few hours, returning to a refuge or an
accessible road
Areas where movement on steep or rocky terrain is not required (in either a planned
or unplanned situation)
Camping in lowland and easily accessible campsites
ML (Mountain leader): Summer
Above area plus
Wild/remote country, mountainous
Wild remote camping
ML (Mountain Leader): Winter
Above areas in winter conditions
The national governing bodies contact data relevant to this section are as follows:
Sports Leaders UK - sportsleaders.org.uk
Mountain Leader Training Scotland – mltuk.org
British Mountain Guide Association – bmg.org.uk
Ratio:
Ratios are covered within the remits of the qualification but 1 leader to every 10
participants is a guideline only, independent variables are to be considered.
Centre Responsibilities
To ensure leaders have adequate training activity.
To ensure leaders are competent leading groups.
To ensure leaders have sufficient safety equipment to treat any injuries that may
occur while Walking.
To ensure leaders have communication in the event of an emergency.
To ensure participant complete and provide medical forms on arrival
Coach Responsibilities
Have knowledge of the activity. The coach should be familiar with the
recommendation of the governing bodies of the activities.
Ensure the group are properly briefed.
Knowledge of the group – age, numbers, gender, leaders, ability, health problems,
experience and fitness.
Plan equipment requirements of the group and ensure that everything is available.
Equipment
All equipment is to be checked monthly for damages and replaced if necessary by
storeman/women, instructors are to check all equipment they use before they issue it
out to the participant, ensuring it is to a safe standard. At the end of the session the
instructor is to check all equipment back into the stores, any equipment that they
deem to be damaged and or unsafe is to be placed in appropriate area or container
for damaged equipment with a note specifying the suspected damage for
storeman/women or management/technical advisor to examine and if appropriate,
dispose of the equipment by destroying it so it can no longer be used.
Boots
Map/Compass
First aid kit (appropriate to group size)
Helmet
Ice axe
Rope
Crampons
Waterproofs
Food
Carabiners
EMERGENCY CONTINGENCIES
Minor injury:
Administer first aid to casualty and ensure the safety of the remainder of the group.
Seek aid and evacuation where appropriate.
Report to local emergency centre e.g. hospital.
Complete accident report form and log book.
Major injury:
Administer first aid and ensure the safety of the remainder of the group.
Summon help/emergency services and contact centre.
Complete accident report form and log book.
