Walk Leader: Role, Requirements & Responsibilities
Walk Leaders will be picked from competent Club members. Club policy is to encourage members to lead walks, with positive support and mentoring from other senior club members if wanted or required.
ROLE
- To ensure the group has an enjoyable and, above all, safe day out.
REQUIREMENTS
The Walk Leader should :-
- be able to use a map and compass.
- know how to use group equipment such as emergency shelters & Cas-straps.
- either, know how to apply first aid or, identify members in the group that are first aid trained and/or can apply first aid.
- know how to contact other club members and/or the coach in the event of an emergency.
- be familiar with the club emergency procedures.
- be able to control the group.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare beforehand for the walk to be led (e.g. nature of the terrain, items of interest en-route, escape routes)
- Review the list of walkers on that particular walk, prior to departure, including any new members or those whose level of fitness may not be apparent to the walk leader.
- Ensure that they pick up and distribute their walks Group Safety Equipment prior to starting ( Emergency shelter, Cas-straps and First aid kit), and that the equipment is collected in after the walk and put back into the Group Safety Equipment bag, so it is available for the next walk.
- Ensure that they take a fully charged mobile phone and have saved the numbers of other club members and the coach driver into their contacts.
- When possible, identify other map-readers within the group, who could act as a back-up.
- Select a sweeper from the party, who will bring up the rear of the group. This is particularly important if the party is large.
- Encourage other members on the walk to use map and compass.
- Maintain visual contact with all group members during the walk.
- Decide where and when to split large groups, and appoint a leader for any sub-group.
- Keep to the published route, wherever possible.
- Ensure the group returns to the coach at the appropriate time (i.e. not too early and not too late). If it becomes apparent that the walk is not going to be in by the designated time (usually 5 pm, but 4 pm when the days are short) the Walk Leader must phone the person leading the bus that day (usually the Chair) to let them know, or if they are unable to contact the bus leader they must contact another member of the committee. The same applies if the walk has to be abandoned for any reason.
- Undertake an ongoing risk assessment along the entire route based on terrain, weather conditions, fitness of members, speed of group.
- To make decisions about appropriate action after consultation with the group.
