GEOG2840 Alps Field Class
SAFETY DOCUMENT
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
General statement of expectations:
It is assumed that:
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you want to do the module and therefore we expect you to show enthusiasm
and general good behaviour/demeanor;
you feel physically able/fit enough (see notes below about demands of
altitude, weather and terrain);
you should discuss any concerns you have with field class staff (e.g. about
fitness, agoraphobia, vertigo, asthma, etc.);
you have the correct personal equipment (clothing, footwear, etc.) (see notes
about personal kit and borrowing); and
special requirements should not rule you out... but need early careful
evaluation to work around because of the constraints of the Alpine
environment.
Environmental risks specific to field class location and fieldwork tasks
Altitude
Being at high altitude can have adverse effects on alcohol capacity, diet, cold, blood
pressure, respiration and tiredness. You should try to acclimatise slowly: don't try to
do too much in the first couple of days at high altitude (the air is noticeably thinner
and you will get out of breath quicker at least until your body has time to produce
more red blood cells to compensate), don't drink too much alcohol (you get drunk on
less alcohol at higher altitudes), do drink plenty of water and eat plenty of high energy
food, be careful about keeping warm and dry, and be careful not to get sun burnt (the
sun is more powerful at higher altitudes so use sun cream/bloc). Clearly high altitude
can affect existing medical conditions such as agoraphobia, vertigo, asthma, blood
pressure problems, etc. If you suffer from any of these conditions, or any other likely
to be affected by altitude, please inform the field class staff.
Weather
The weather can be a problem at high altitude. Notably, it can change rapidly, so
always take warm clothes and waterproofs when away from the hut on fieldwork.
The air is colder, the sun is stronger and so is the wind. Be especially careful in high
winds near steep slopes. Thunder storms are also a potential threat, especially during
the afternoons in warm weather. Apart from being wet, cold and windy, they also
present the risk of lightning strike. If caught out in a thunder storm, avoid open
terrain, ridges and peaks. Do not shelter in caves or under overhanging rocks. The
safest place to be is indoors or if caught in the open, at a lower level than any
surrounding peaks and more than 3 meters from the base of any cliff.
Terrain
Clearly terrain poses a significant risk in mountain areas because of the steep and
potentially unstable nature of the landscape. As a general rule, be extremely carefully
on steep terrain and especially near cliff edges. Extreme care should be taken on
crossing late lying snow patches. Stick to the footpaths wherever possible. Also be
extremely careful near water. The larger streams and rivers are very fast and cold.
Avoid a dunking at all costs. The pro-glacial river flows through a narrow gorge
below the forefield of the Odenwinkelkees. Keep clear of the river immediately
upstream of this reach. The Weissee next to the Rudolfshutte is part of the local
hydro-electric scheme and is not a swimming pool!
Glacier work
Part of the fieldwork will involve walking on the Odenwinkelkees Glacier. Keep to
the solid ice or moraine and avoid walking on any snow. Always stay clear of known
crevasse zones (e.g. edges of glacier, ice falls, etc.). Crampons and ice axes will be
provided for walking security (avoiding slips and falls) but you will in no way be
expected (or allowed) to venture onto steep terrain.
Language
While many Austrians speak some English, do not assume everyone will understand
you. It is a good idea to learn of few basic German phrases.
Diet
Austrian food is good and wholesome and vegetarian diets are readily available.
Please let us now of any special dietary requirements before departure.
Basic checklists
Gear
You should have the following personal equipment:
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Full waterproofs (including a jacket with a hood and overtrousers)
Strong walking boots (fabric boots are alright on footpaths in good weather,
but leather boots are better for glacier work and wet/snowy conditions)
Warm hat and gloves
Rucsac (must be large enough to hold your waterproofs, spare clothes, field
equipment, food and drink... use a heavy-gauge plastic bag to keep the
contents dry)
Warm clothes (e.g. a fleece jacket or wool jumper... several thin layers are
better than one thick layer, and some form of full leg wear other than jeans)
Sun cream and lip block
If you are concerned that you do not have the correct equipment please contact a
member of the field class staff – you may be able to borrow something.
Mountain skills
The following rules should help keep you safe in the mountains:
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Take extreme care when walking in mountainous terrain. Be especially
careful on steep and/or wet ground and on moraine/screes. The latter can be
very unstable. Always wear suitable footwear. Keep to footpaths wherever
possible and stay clear of tops/foot of cliffs and keep off scree slopes. Also
take special care on glacier ice as this can be extremely slippery. Always wear
your crampons and carry your ice axe for support on icy slopes. Do not go off
the marked trail above the snow line... snow can hide crevasses.
Stay within earshot and view of the main group. Under no circumstances
should you be working alone in the mountains.
Navigation should not be a problem as all work will be carried out in close
proximity of the hut and the local footpath network. The latter are clearly
marked with paint markers and sign posts.
In an emergency, call to your group members for assistance. The International
distress code is six short blasts on a whistle at one minute intervals. Use your
mobile phones. The area is not known to have any signal “black spots”. The
telephone number of the hut is 065638221.
First Aid
If an accident should occur remember the following rules about emergency
management and first aid:
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Stop! Assess the situation. Check for your own safety before going to the aid
of a casualty. Don't become a casualty yourself by rushing into a dangerous
situation. Inform the member of staff if possible.
Check the status of the casualty; is the casualty conscious? Do they respond to
voice/touch? Can you detect their vital signs (breathing and circulation)?
Check for obvious signs of injury by doing a body check (run hands lightly
from head to toe looking for any signs of blood, broken bones, etc.) - you may
not have to do this if the casualty is conscious and can tell you where it hurts.
ALWAYS talk to the casualty whether they are conscious or not so that they
know what you are doing and so that you can re-assure them.
Send for help to the nearest telephone (the Rudolfshutte in most instances or
international mobile) if required (i.e. for serious injury) making sure the
messenger has full details of the incident including location, number of people
involved, type of injuries, and make sure that the messenger returns to you.
Give first aid as and if appropriate being careful not to make matters worse.
Wait for the emergency services. It is impossible to give a full first aid course
here, but here are a few do's and dont's:
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Don't move an immobile casualty unless they are in severe danger
from further injuries. Wait for the emergency services.
Do talk to the casualty; it gives much needed re-assurance.
Don't be tempted to give food/drink to a casualty except in the case of
a known diabetic patient suffering from lack of sugar (give sugary
drinks and sweets) or a hypothermic casualty (see below).
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Do try to stop any blood loss by applying direct pressure to the wound,
bandaging and elevating if possible.
Do flush burns with lots of cold/clean water.
Hypothermia is a particular risk in mountain areas. This is where the body's vital
core area cools as a result of exposure to wet and cold (usually accompanied by
exhaustion). This is a dangerous condition that can result in death. You can avoid
hypothermia simply by staying warm, dry and not getting over-tired. As in all
instances prevention is better than cure, but if someone does become hypothermic
immediate action is required. Hypothermia can be recognised from a range of
symptoms including:
 unnatural behaviour (i.e. acting oddly or out-of-character) often accompanied
by complaints of coldness and tiredness
 physical and mental lethargy, including failure to respond to questions and
directions
 slurring of speech (usually in the later stages of hypothermia)
 violent outbursts of unexpected energy and violent language
 lack of muscular co-ordination leading to erratic movement and falling
 failure of vision
 ashen pallor, light headedness, muscle cramps and fainting
(note: not all of these symptoms may be noticed)
Treatment on the mountain in cases of hypothermia should be to recognise the
condition early and make an orderly retreat to shelter (the Rudolsfhutte). Once out of
the worst of the weather change the victim out of wet clothing and give a warm drink
and high energy food. If trapped on the mountain, get the casualty out of wet clothes
and into dry clothes if possible. Seek shelter and share body heat. Send for assistance
immediately.