Always think Safety First. If you are on unsafe ground or in danger of rockfall then move to a safer place. Keep your party together and remain calm and positive.
Once you have contacted the Emergency Services on 999 or 112 and asked for the Gardaí and Mountain Rescue, stay together and wait for rescue. While awaiting rescue, you may be able to administer basic First Aid to any injured member of your party.
If you need the
Emergency Services call
999 or 112
Often, rescue operations are carried out in poor visibility either in mist or darkness. If you have a whistle, give six loud blasts on the whistle, wait, listen and then repeat. Similarly, if you have a torch give six flashes, wait, listen and repeat. Make noise but in an organised way, be silent for a minute in order to listen and then make noise again.
Mountain Rescue and the Coast Guard work together and a helicopter may be dispatched to aid the rescue.
If Mountain Rescue are using a helicopter at night, make yourselves visible in the darkness. One party member, wearing a high visibility jacket or holding a torch, should stand and make a Y shape.
Once the helicopter team is aware of you then all the party needs to remain in a crouched position. The helicopter may land nearby or may winch a crew member to you. It is vital that you secure all loose equipment, foil blankets especially. The down draught from a helicopter is very strong, it will knock you over if you stand, you will not be able to hear each other.
If Mountain Rescue are using a helicopter at night, make yourselves visible in the darkness. One party member, wearing a high visibility jacket or holding a torch, should stand and make a Y shape.
Once the helicopter team is aware of you then all the party needs to remain in a crouched position. The helicopter may land nearby or may winch a crew member to you. It is vital that you secure all loose equipment, foil blankets especially. The down draught from a helicopter is very strong, it will knock you over if you stand, you will not be able to hear each other.
Secure all loose items
before the helicopter
descends
Stay put, if you approach a helicopter from the wrong side it could cause severe injury, and await the arrival of a crew member, who will instruct you. Keep your eyes on the crew member and follow all instructions moving at a crouch if gestured to do so.