Handling an Incident on Your Trip
Things to do before, during, and after an incident on your trip.
Before your trip: Preparation
- Leaders, ensure that trip participants and their families understand that trips can be delayed for a number of reasons. Remind them that the group has the training to deal with unforeseen circumstances. Provide the expected return time. Provide a phone number and the time after which it is appropriate to call with concerns. For Mountaineers activities, emergency contacts should call the Mountaineers Emergency Line at 206-521-6030.
- Participants, choose an emergency contact and give instructions as to when and who to call if any concern develops due to a late return or emergency message.
- Everyone, check that the party has equipment to handle unexpected emergencies that could occur on your trip.
- Everyone, write down and carry any specific emergency numbers you might need. For Mountaineeers trips, note the Mountaineers Emergency Line at 206-521-6030. The person answering this phone has the training and experience to respond appropriately.
During An emergency: Response
- ATTEND to any patients and make a plan.
- CALL for assistance … Call 911 to reach the appropriate agency (County Sheriff, National Park Ranger, Coast Guard). Out of cell phone range? Use Personal Beacon or Satellite Communicator.
- Finally, NOTIFY the Mountaineers Emergency Line at 206-521-6030. The Mountaineers will use trip roster information to inform the designated emergency contacts of each of the participants.
After an Emergency: Follow-up
- Leader submits an Incident report.
- Participants complete trip survey which contains a section for describing any safety concerns or directly filing a participant incident report.
- Safety Committee members follow up by contacting the leader and participants as needed.