Arranging a check-in ensures that someone is aware of your plans and can take appropriate action if you fail to return on time. When you are participating in an adventurous activity, for example hiking, running or paddle boarding, arranging a check-in is a responsible and safety-conscious practice. This becomes even more vital if you are going solo or in a remote or unfamiliar area. If anything goes wrong, such as an accident, injury, or getting lost and you fail to return on time, someone will be aware of this and can initiate a response. Your designated contact can provide essential information to emergency services, such as your route plan, parking spot or last known location, vastly improving the response time and potentially saving your life.
Check-ins provide peace of mind for both yourself and for your loved ones. We ALWAYS use a check-in, whether we are walking solo, with friends or running a course. We strongly recommend you get into the habit of doing this.
Please feel free to share and distribute this info-graphic on how to arrange a Check-in.
5 Steps to Arrange a Check-In:
1. Share your itinerary
Before you head out on your activity, inform a trusted person (Designated Contact) of your plans. Provide them with an itinerary, as detailed as possible, that includes information such as your route, start and end points and estimated duration. If you are driving, give your car registration and parking location.
2. Establish check-in times
Determine specific check-in times. Normally this would be at the end of your activity and safely back at the car, or daily for multi-day activities.
3. Communication method
Decide on the most suitable way to communicate with your Designated Contact; phone call, text message, messaging apps or satellite communication.
If you are in an area with little or no coverage you can use devices such as Garmin Iin-Reach or spot tracker which offers paid subscriptions providing global coverage using satellite network.
4. Set a contingency plan
Discuss and establish a clear plan with your Designated Contact in case you miss the agreed check-in time or fail to return as planned. Determine a reasonable waiting period, after which your Designated Contact will initiate the appropriate actions; normally they will firstly try to contact you, if no contact can be made emergency services (Police) should then be called
5. Be diligent with check-ins
During your activity, be diligent about checking-in at the predetermined times or intervals. Stick to the schedule as closely as possible and notify your Designated Contact promptly if there are any changes or delays to your plans. If you are using messaging apps or satellite communication be sure you receive a confirmation response.
On all our Mountaineering Courses we cover this as part of each courses syllabus.
