Download your own accident report form

In the event of a mountain or climbing accident you may be in a position where you have to summon help and give prolonged care to a close companion or friend. This will be very stressful even if you are used to this type of work. The most important principles of first aid in a remote area are:

• Command
• Control
• Communications

Followed by good protection from the environment and then practical first aid.

Without good communications help will not arrive where and when needed. Communications will consist of verbal communications by direct contact, phone or radio. Sound communications by whistle (6 blasts). Visual communications by signals such as torch (6 flashes). Any communication when anxious and scared may be confused so by filling in these forms prior to sending a message you will ensure that the correct information is given coherently. The time spent completing these forms will ultimately speed up the arrival of appropriate help.

The first form is an Accident Report. It is one side of A4. It is designed to be used to summon help. If necessary it can be sent with a messenger or transmitted by phone or radio.

The second form is a two-sided Patient Report Form and several copies should be carried so one can live with each patient until arrival at hospital. It is designed to evolve over the period of care. It is “multilingual” in that injuries and areas of pain can be indicated simply by annotating the diagram of the patient.

We suggest downloading the forms and printing them onto waterproof paper. Carry them in your personal first aid kit with a small pencil sharpened at both ends.