1. Company, event, date Name
Ready for the mountain?
Company, event, date
Name
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

2. Did you know that ...
... one third 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.
People hike for an average of 3 hours a day
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

3. 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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

4. Non-occupational accidents in Switzerland, 2013
80,000 on the roads
410,000 when doing sport
570,000 in and around the house
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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

5. Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø 2009-2013)
Lektion Nr. 280
Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø )
Type of sport
Total
Of which
Ball games
Football
82 000
Winter sports
92 000
Skiing
51 000
Snowboarding
14 000
Cycling and skating (not in traffic)
32 000
Gymnastics, athletics
28 000
Mountain sports, hiking
23 000
Water sports
18 000
Other types of sports
80 000
Martial arts
21 000
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

6. Fatalities, by type of sport (Ø 2011-2015) Source: bfu, Status 2016
Total
Mountain sports
49 (of which, 39 hiking / mountain hiking)
Winter sports 26
Water sports
Flying sports 11
Other types of sport 13
Total
125
Mountain sports: hiking, mountain hiking, mountaineering, climbing
Every year, approx people are injured when doing sport, 125 of whom fatally.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

7. 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?
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

8. 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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

9. 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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

10. Route categories. Hiking trail:. No special demands on hikers
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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

11. 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
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

12. 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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

13. «Mountain hiking» video
Ready for the mountain?
«Mountain hiking» video
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

14. 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.
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

15. 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
Preventing hiking accidents
2016

16. Further information
More on this in the bfu’s «Mountain hiking» brochure (Art. no ).
Order free-of-charge from
Further information on the campaign’s website
Even more accident-prevention tips here:
Preventing hiking accidents
2016