Cumbria’s Mountain Rescue Teams response to Coronavirus , COVID-19
The 12 Lake District Mountain Rescue Teams that form LDSAMRA, along with other teams across England and Wales (MREW) and Scotland (SMR) are following the national health protection advice and applying it to our situation – just like everyone else.
Our priority is resilience, making sure that as many of our trained volunteers are as available as possible for call outs. This means reducing face-to-face meetings and using online equivalents. Postponing all but essential training so that we re- duce the chances of spread among our volunteers.
We are also acutely aware that many of our MR volunteers have day jobs that will be important in the coming weeks and months – especially doctors, paramedics and NHS staff so we must help them to stay well and focus on that work.
The public can play an important role in helping us provide an effective service. If people require assistance but suspect they may have Covid-19 or have been in contact with someone who has it then we would ask them, please, to tell the Po- lice this information as soon as they can when calling 999 for help from mountain rescue. That way, teams can be prepared.
Being outdoors has many health benefits both mental and physical and we are happy for individuals to take advantage of this where they can. However, at the moment, we ask people not to take any unnecessary risks. If they are going to go out, they should walk, climb and cycle well within their capabilities so that they are more likely to stay safe.
For information on how to keep safe visit www.adventuresmart.uk
Richard Warren
Chairman LDSAMRA
