MoD Health & Safety Handbook
JSP 375 Vol 2
SAFETY AND EVACUATION PLAN
Incident1
Is the incident serious2
Yes
Is immediate evacuation
necessary?
Yes
Contact Relevant Authority
with details to arrange
evacuation Heli-evac, if
available and appropriate3
Pass details up chain of
command4
1.
2.
3.
4.
No
Is evacuation necessary?
Yes
No
Contact Relevant Authority with
details to arrange evacuation and
pick-up point
No
Medic/first aider to
administer appropriate
treatment
Assist casualty to pick-up point
Monitor casualty's
progress
Expedition Leader, Instructor (s) and Medic assess the situation.
After consultation severity to be assessed and course of action to be decided.
Methods of contact dependant on location and expedition area.
To include relevant embassy (ies) and all UK points of contact, HQ Land, LAIT, HQ TSC(L) and Div HQ etc.
April 2001
Leaflet 11 Annex B Appendix 3
Page 1
MoD Health & Safety Handbook
JSP 375 Vol 2
1.
In the event of a casualty the expedition Leader should only consider continuing with the Ex if there is sufficient instructor/supervisor cover within the
party to accompany and facilitate the safe evacuation of any injured personnel. It is essential that the required Instructor/Student ratios are maintained with
the remainder of the group.
2.
If mountaineering and dependant on the situation it may be possible to utilise an MLT qualified person, with a trained First Aider or Long Range
Reconnaissance Patrol Medic, to assist a casualty back to a pick-up point.
3.
Instructors/supervisors should always hold First Aid qualifications including Mountain First Aid when mountaineering. It is also advisable, whenever
possible, to have a trained Medic in the party.
4.
Most National Parks have their own field ambulance and/or paramedic. In most cases this also includes the communication facility to obtain the
appropriate rescue facilities. This will invariably include Heli-evac facilities if required.
5.
All expedition members must know where the nearest hospitals are (with the appropriate emergency facilities) and have or know the means of being
able to contact them. All members of the party should also carry the contact list of emergency services and hospitals.
6.
Evacuation by helicopter may be the only way of evacuating seriously injured personnel from remote areas.
7.
In many countries on the more popular routes, “Mountain or Refugee Huts” often provide a telephone service and/or radio communication with the
local authorities and/or emergency services.
8.
Notwithstanding the above expeditions should not rely on the use of the communications provided by the various authorities. Where possible,
expedition leaders should be in possession of or try to obtain a reliable method of communications.
9.
Mobile telephones are available from most if not all regional Bde HQ and are an essential and vital communications safety link when there is a
requirement to summon or contact the emergency services during expeditions. In normal conditions most issued mobile phones are effective and can be
used in the majority of countries. Expedition leaders should be aware that the cost of calls, other than to summon the emergency services, will be charged
to the individual who has signed for the mobile phone or to his unit UIN.
10.
It should also be noted that the only guaranteed method of communication in any country and for use in most conditions is to use a Satellite
telephone. Satellite phones are in short supply and are normally only available from the Army Expeditions Advisory Cell for High Risk and/or Remote
expeditions.
11.
Finally, it should be noted that the cost of rescue and evacuation, including any Heli-evacuation should be covered by a civilian insurance
April 2001
policy.
Leaflet 11 Annex B Appendix 3
Page 2
MoD Health & Safety Handbook
JSP 375 Vol 2
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE EVENT OF A CASUALTY








Number of casualties
Severity of casualties
Mobility of casualty
Number of personnel in group
Condition of other personnel
Position/location on route
Proximity (time/distance) of rescue services
Prevailing weather and forecast
COURSES OF ACTION TO BE TAKEN








Maintain command of situation
First Aid to casualty
Protect casualty from environment
Involve group members
Confirm own location
Establish comms with relevant Rescue/Park Authorities
Continue to monitor casualty
Keep group informed
IN THE EVENT OF EVACUATION








April 2001
Allocate personnel to accompany casualty
Establish pick up point with Rescue/Park authorities
Inform chain of command (UK)
Maintain high group morale
Assist casualty to pick up point
Decide on subsequent plan
Brief group on plan of action
Rescue/Park Ensure chain of command is kept informed
Leaflet 11 Annex B Appendix 3
Page 3