Be Prepared.....

When you think you've thought of everything you might need in an emergency - think again!

After my accident last week I am finding plenty of time to re-think my own emergency kit that I carry whenever I go walking.

The most surprising thing for me was how much I under-estimated the effect of such a fall as I had.

I found myself down a narrow gully, surrounded by old trees and stones, on quite a steep slope. As I had hurt my arm and shoulder it was too painful to move or stand up without risking further injury. Taking off my rucksack was also impossible. Luckily I had been carrying my map case and it had landed near by. My phone was attached to the chest strap on my rucksack and I could still use my water tube to drink.

After getting to a fairly secure position with my feet against a small tree I had time to assess my situation. Fortunately I had one bar of reception on my phone so I decided to phone for help. I was worried that I might drop the phone so I used my hat to lean into. I also put the map into the hat.

So, although I was carrying a fairly good amount of kit that might have been useful it wasn't possible to use or even reach all of it.

For day walks I am often on my own. I had quickly pointed out on the map to John where I was planning to go - but didn't leave a map with him. I do always try to estimate an ETA and promise to let him know if I'm delayed.

Therefore the first thing to change will be to print out a copy of my route to leave with him, along with a route description.

The Deuter rucksack I use for day walks here in the summer is a 20 litre model.  It has a main sack with an internal bladder holder and drinking tube exit onto a shoulder strap clip, two small mesh side pockets and a zipped top lid pocket. The front chest strap takes a small pouch for my mobile phone.  There are no waist pockets.

There is definitely room for improvement - not necessarily only WHAT but HOW I pack essential items.  So, I've typed up a table/list to help me think again about this.  I'm looking particularly at summer day walks on my own. There might well be different options for walks at different times of the year and with a group.
I'm sharing the chart with you below. I would welcome any comments or suggestions.

Item	Where carried	Re-think
Small first aid kit	Rucksack top  pocket	Rucksack top pocket
Compass	In map case	Chest pouch
Whistle	Rucksack top pocket	Chest pouch
Map	Map case	Attach Front rucksack
Phone	Rucksack front strap pouch	Rucksack front strap pouch
Water (2 litres)	Rucksack in bladder	Rucksack in bladder
Food	Rucksack main	Rucksack main
Spare energy bar	Rucksack main	Chest pouch
Notebook, pencil	Rucksack top pocket	Chest pouch
Wet wipes	Rucksack top pocket	Chest pouch
Waterproofs	Rucksack main	Rucksack main
Large hankie	Rucksack top pocket	Chest pouch
Foil blanket	Rucksack main	Chest pouch
Gloves, hat, head-torch	Rucksack main	Rucksack main
Monocular	Rucksack side pocket	Rucksack side pocket
Spare clothes	Rucksack main	Rucksack main
Sun-cream	Rucksack side pocket	Rucksack side pocket

{My rather wobbly chart!}

My tiny Montane wind smock should also be on the list. It could be carried in the chest-pouch too. There are sometimes hiking poles included in my essentials as well as a camera.

The items I have decided to do something about after a re-think would be carried in a chest pouch or similar bag.  This will be easily at hand and not tucked away in the rucksack.

The OMM chest pouch is rather large for a small rucksack and as I found on the TGO Challenge this year, not waterproof. It also renders removing my rucksack more difficult.

I was reading (here) a couple of days ago and saw the Osprey Grab Bag which Martin was reviewing. Now this could be just what I need!

Any thoughts.........................?

A good start.....

We packed up as planned on Saturday morning. Arriving for lunchtime in Chorges.

{Chorges for lunch}

After driving around for a bit we settled on a night in the campsite at St. Michael's Bay. There are fantastic views across the lake from the Bay.

{Looking across to Pic de Morgon}

We planned an early start as the weather forecast was promising a hot day on Sunday. My walk would take me from le Fein (where I stopped last year) to the visitor centre for the lake. John would meet me there after he had had a short cycle around.

{An afternoon in the sun}

In the morning I was dropped off and set off on my route. It was sunny but I found plenty of shade in the forest.

{On the way up to the Col Lebraut}

Finally I reached a good viewpoint.

{What a view!}

I was making good time. The main track had obviously been used mainly by bikers and was loose and dusty in places so I was relieved when I chose to turn off onto a smaller path to descend into a gorge. Then, in some closer trees and bushes I lost the track....

Then I lost my footing....

then I rolled and bounced hard on my right arm....

down and down a little steep bit and came to rest under an old tree....

there was some crying....

I tried to move....and then realised what had happened. Now in a cold sweat I reached my phone and called 112.....

It was agony to move but I managed to brace myself against a smaller tree. I was still carrying the map so in very poor French I directed the helicopter so they could find me....not easy when you're terrified of dropping the phone or falling further down hill.

After what seemed an eternity I was found....

tied to a stretcher...and airlifted to the hospital in Gap.

My right arm is broken just below the shoulder joint....

and all my plans have changed!

First Aid..............

All weekend I've been in Aviemore staying at Glenmore Lodge for an Emergency First Aid course run by B.A.S.P. It was very good, thanks to Chris the instructor and the other participants, with lots of outdoor scenarios, and now my First Aid Certificate is refreshed and up to date.

However, it was a bit claustrophobic having to be a student all day. So after the session on Saturday afternoon and just before dinner (a prompt 7 pm) I took myself off up the track towards Ryvoan Bothy for a little walk. The forest was very calm and peaceful and the Green Lochan looked beautiful. I used my new phone to take a few pictures.

{Green Lochan - living up to its name}

After I'd dawdled about on the little beach for a while I wandered back to the Lodge via the hill track marked with a blue post. It climbed up through mainly mature Scots Pine and rocks. A few midgies were just coming out and I soon collected a cloud of them, although luckily they didn't seem to want to bite. Must have been the marmite!

{Tree roots just beginning to show through the path}

There was quite a lot of erosion in certain places as it's a popular area and evidence of the recent strong winds with some big branches and even whole trees down. After I reached the viewpoint, with a nice wooden bench to sit on, the narrow footpath became a wider track and flattened out. I could see the main track from the Lodge below me and spotted a way down through the trees. I think it was probably used more by mountain bikers than walkers, but it returned me neatly almost back to the carpark and my dinner at the Lodge.

{Large Scots Pine tree next to the path}

I was feeling much less stressed about the First Aid and that little walk was most enjoyable. Aviemore is only about an hour and a half away from home so it reminded me that I should explore the area a bit more, maybe even do a little backpacking trip over there, in the not-to-distant future.

I'm beginning to get to grips with the new phone. Although I have to own up to sending a few blank texts to the long suffering members of my family. I have yet to discover how to transfer my Viewranger maps from my computer to the phone. I have managed to install the Viewranger app. (!) and I have new registration keys for my licences ready to put in - BUT things have got a bit complicated so I'm taking a rest before I try anything more.........

NB - My apologies if you want to comment on this post but Blogger seems to be acting up again so it may not work!  I'm trying to find out how to fix it.............