Safety & Training News

Emergency 999 calls in Scotland

The Scottish Mountain Safety Forum has liaised with the emergency services in Scotland to agree a standard procedure to be used by callers requesting help from remote, difficult or steep terrain. This is particularly relevant for people using a mobile phone to call for help regarding a mountain accident. The purpose of the procedure is to ensure that the appropriate emergency resource is tasked as quickly as possible.

If calling for help in the Scottish hills:-

(a) Phone 999 and ask for the POLICE. When connected provide:-

(b) Location of the incident

(c) Number of people in the party

(d) Any injuries (if there are injuries ask the Police to inform the Ambulance Service)

It is important to remember that mountaineers do not have a right to be rescued and that their safety is not ultimately guaranteed by the emergency services. A late return, a benightment or a forced bivouac are all situations for which mountaineers should be prepared, and which do not necessarily justify alerting the voluntary mountain rescue services.