Covid 19: Information for MTA members relating to hill walking, climbing and mountaineering
22nd May 2020 - Note this information will evolve over the coming weeks and monthsUpdated on 10th July 2020
This information is based on a document produced by representatives from the
British Mountain Guides (BMG) and the
Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI), and has been modified for Mountain Training Association members.
The guidelines from the governments of the four nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and the Republic of Ireland, along with those from other national bodies will continue to evolve and may vary. It is important that you stay up to date with these guidelines and find the latest information available before taking part in any activities.
We have pulled together some practical advice, helping you as established or developing outdoor professionals to consider practising outdoor activities in a Covid-19 world. It should be used in conjunction with the latest guidelines from your home nation government, advice from the
BMC,
Mountaineering Ireland or
Mountaineering Scotland and our own
‘Mountain Training Framework for Decision Making’. Mountaineering Ireland have recently published two updates regarding led activity in
Ireland and
Northern Ireland.
Is what you might be planning safe, lawful, evidence-based, socially responsible, clear and realistic?
Understanding Covid-19
Any new hazard needs to be properly understood before it can be managed. Covid-19 is a hazard that we are all learning to manage and as we begin to make more independent decisions about our levels of activity, these two articles provide a good basis for understanding;
Covid-19: Expert answers to outdoor questionsCovid and the outdoors: Professor Ian Hall answers your questionsRefamiliarization
As and when you start going hill walking, climbing and mountaineering again, a period of refamiliarization will be necessary. Prior to operating in a leadership capacity we would encourage you, when it’s appropriate, to gain your own experience of the activity and approach with caution. Skill fade may have crept in and familiarity with safe practice hasn’t been part of your life for many weeks now.
- If you are an experienced practitioner, you will need to revert to being consciously competent and thinking about everything you do, rather than assuming you’ll do it right because you have years of experience. This will likely involve allowing more time for the activity and choosing your partners carefully.
- If you are developing your skills and experience in a particular activity, spend time getting to grips with the basics again and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can’t remember something.
You are encouraged to carefully consider the level of challenge your activity presents in relation to your ability and competence.
In addition to this guidance we urge our members, as and when appropriate, to resume activity in a measured, sensitive and cautious manner. The reputation of the professional mountaineering community will be under unique scrutiny at this critical time.
Practical considerations
Travel
Is travel legal? Justifiable?
Is public transport necessary?
Is it possible to maintain social distancing whilst travelling?
Are there any restrictions affecting the place you’re planning to visit? For example, access restrictions due to nesting birds or closed premises? Check before you travel.
Overnight/longer term stays
Are these allowed?
Do the following encourage visits to specific areas or particular communities?
Health and hygiene
Have you thought about or written a risk assessment for managing PPE?
Avoid sharing anything that can be kept separate such as food and drinks, maps, compasses, sun cream etc.
Consider personal and shared use of activity-specific and disease control PPE e.g. ropes, harnesses, group shelter, face coverings, gloves etc.
Encourage everyone you’re with to bring and use their own hand sanitiser.
Social distancing and social contact limitations
What are the latest restrictions regarding social distancing and how many people from outside your household are you allowed to meet up with?
Is it possible to carry out the activity whilst observing social distancing?
Safe activity space
Risk assessments- If you are an employee or freelancer, your employer should provide you with new or updated risk assessments and procedures which include Covid-19. Make sure you understand them and ask questions if anything is unclear.
- If you work for yourself or are an employer, update your risk assessments and procedures to include Covid-19 and share them with your staff. Make sure they understand them and allow time for training and discussion.
- As well as a Covid-19 specific risk assessment, what impact will social distancing restrictions have on your existing risk assessments regarding things like spotting, teaching navigation and cleaning equipment?
The activity environment
Consider the nature of the activity within the physical space you’ll be in and be mindful of potential honeypot paths/sites, pinch points on narrow trails and parking – be creative and have several options in mind.
Working
Candidate health status
If you are working with clients, it’s reasonable to ask them to confirm, prior to attending a course, that they do not have Covid-19 symptoms and have not recently had symptoms (i.e. they are not currently isolating). This may form part of your risk assessment and be a requirement of the booking contract. Medical disclosure is more important than ever, and clients need to be encouraged to take ownership of any personal medical problems in order for you to plan and deliver a suitable experience.
Think about what information you might need to give or receive ahead of time.
Safety and Rescue
Mountain rescue teams are currently operating a very limited service, partly because of limits on the help they are able to safely offer while protecting their members on a call out. It is also clearly very difficult for a mountain rescue team to operate effectively while observing social distancing. So when walking, climbing or scrambling we should make sure we stay well within our capabilities, avoid taking any unnecessary risks, and work on the basis that mountain rescue help will be slower to respond with reduced capability if we get into any difficulties. Consider how you might respond to various safety and rescue scenarios.
Have you read the latest advice regarding first aid and CPR (links below)?
What changes will be required to your usual first aid protocols?
Are you aware of the current rescue provision status in the area you wish to work in?
How would you manage the situation if external help was compromised or not available?
Liability
Are you insured for the activities you’re undertaking?
If you’re working with others do you have appropriate insurance cover in place?
Have you spoken to your insurers about what’s covered?
If claims related to Covid-19 are not covered, have you made this clear to your staff and clients?
Consider adding a statement or acknowledgement of risk with regard to CV19 on your client’s booking forms.
Community Relations
Outdoor professionals need to communicate a strong sense of responsibility in helping keep everyone ‘Covid secure’ during any outdoor activity. Please also check other landowners for specific updates.
MTA members are role models and educators within the industry. We invite you all to continue to demonstrate best practice and set good examples for other hill/crag users (not just your clients) to follow and be inspired by.
We hope this helps in your planning and decision making as activities resume in the UK and Ireland. With thanks to Mark Charlton and Phil Baker for permission to base this article on original work by BMG and AMI.