Guidelines for Walk Leaders

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It is essential to have route knowledge and preferably to have reconnoitred the walk.

All leaders must carry a fully-charged  mobile phone.

Mobile phone numbers should be exchanged with other leaders, where necessary and with any walker who leaves the group.

The walk leader should appoint a back-marker who can be changed during the walk.

Everyone must be kept reasonably together, especially in mist and re-grouping should take place if there are any stragglers.

The overall pace should take in all levels of walkers and in particular the slowest.

The walk leader must assess weather conditions, and change/ cancel/ alter a walk as necessary.

Make sure everyone is suitably clothed and shod. And prevent a walker from going out if unsuitably attired to complete the walk. The walk leader should give a resume of the length and terrain which will be covered before starting. All walk leaders must be able to give a grid reference in the event of an accident. An Ordnance Survey or Harvey's (scale 1:25000) and compass must be carried, even if using a GPS device.

The leader should be aware of all hazards including road walking, the generally safe way to road walk is to face on-coming traffic but blind corners etc should be taken into account. 

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