Company, event, date Name Ready for the mountain?

Did you know that ... ... almost half of the Swiss population goes hiking regularly? ... there are 65,000 km of hiking trails in Switzerland? ... every year, approx. 162 million hours are spent hiking? This adds up to more than 54 million days spent hiking each year.

Up hill and down dale in safety Hiking is a popular and healthy pastime – but it can also be demanding in the mountains. A moment’s inattention and a slip or trip can lead to a tumble or even to a fall with fatal consequences in exposed places.

Non-occupational accidents in Switzerland, 2016 Every year, more than one million people are injured on the roads, when doing sport and physical activities as well as in and around the house.

Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø 2012-2016) Type of sport Persons injured Ball games 135 000 Football 82 000 Winter sports 91 000 Skiing 53 000 Snowboarding 12 000 Cycling and skating (not in traffic) 32 000 Gymnastics, athletics 29 000 Mountain sports, hiking 26 000 Water sports 19 000 Other types of sports 81 000 Martial arts 21 000 Total: 413 000 Andere Sportarten: Kugel-, Wurf- und Schlagspiele, Reit- und Pferdesport, Tanzen, Rennsport mit MfZ Kampfsport ist inkl. Selbstverteidigung

Fatalities, by type of sport (Ø 2009-2018) Total Mountain sports 51 (of which, 40 hiking / mountain hiking) Winter sports 25 Water sports 24 Flying sports 11 Other types of sport 14 124 In which sport do we record the most fatalities? On average, around 120 people are fatally injured during a sporting activity. The majority in mountain sports (hiking/mountain hiking 40, mountaineering=Bergsteigen 7, climbing 4). In second place winter sports with an average of 25 fatalities. Water sports around 24 fatalities. Aviation 11 (paragliding 7, base jumping 2 , gliding 1) Other sports with fatalities include mountain biking, hunting, fishing, equestrianism.

PACE hiking check Plan: What do I intend to do? Assess: Is this hike suitable for me? Consider: Do I have what I need? Evaluate: How am I doing?

Up hill and down dale in safety: Plan Plan your route, the time required as well as alternative routes. Take requirements into account: route category, gradients, exposed places and weather conditions. Tell someone else about your trip, particularly if you are setting off on your own.

Up hill and down dale in safety: Assess Assess your actual abilities realistically and do not demand too much of yourself. Include sufficient time and make sure you’re not too tired for the descent.

Route categories Hiking trail: No special demands on hikers. Shoes with non-slip soles are recommended. Mountain trail: Mostly steep, narrow and exposed in places. Hikers must be physically fit, surefooted, have a head for heights and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Alpine trail: Sometimes across glaciers and scree, with short climbing sections, to some extent without marked trails. Hikers must be physically very fit, surefooted, have a head for heights, alpine experience and the corresponding equipment.

Up hill and down dale in safety: Consider Take along as little as possible and as much as is needed: Sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles Several layers of warm clothing: pullover, rain jacket, possibly a woollen hat and gloves Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen Up-to-date map, possibly GPS Food, drinks, penknife, possibly hiking poles For emergencies: first-aid kit, emergency blanket, mobile phone

Up hill and down dale in safety: Evaluate Being tired can seriously affect your surefootedness. Drink, eat and rest regularly to stay fit and focussed. Keep track of the time needed and changes in the weather. Keep your distance from mother cows and sheep guarded by sheepdogs. Turn back in time if necessary.

video «Mountain hiking»

Particularly important recommendations: Take care in exposed places → Watch your step. when it’s slippery → Avoid icy patches and snowfields. on the descent → Include sufficient time and make sure you’re not too tired.

In an emergency Provide the injured person with immediate life-saving measures. Alert the emergency services as soon as possible. Do not leave the injured person on their own. Do not neglect your own safety. European emergency number: 112 Rega: 1414 or in canton Valais: KWRO 144

Further information More on this in the BFU’s «Mountain hiking» brochure (Art. no. 3.010). Order free-of-charge from www.bestellen.bfu.ch. Further information on the campaign’s website www.sicher-bergwandern.ch. Even more accident-prevention tips here: www.bfu.ch.