COASTGUARDS GIVE TIPS ON COASTAL WALKING
If you’re
thinking of going for a walk along the coast to visit some of the stunning
locations we have in the UK, it’s always good to go prepared. As well as taking some food and something to
drink, there’s some other tips we can give you to make sure you enjoy your
walk.
Because
conditions can change quickly, we always say you should check the weather
before setting out. Make sure you have
appropriate clothing to keep warm and dry and also check the tide times so you
don’t get cut off, especially when walking on the shoreline, beaches or
crossing tidal causeways.
Keep a look out
for warning signs, they can warn you of all sorts of dangers you may not have
thought of. We want people to enjoy the coastline as much as we do.
Some of the
coastal paths, even on a sunny day can be quite muddy and a lot of them are
strewn with rocks so it’s a good idea to make sure you have the right type of
shoes or boots. We have a really good
relationship with Ordnance Survey and their maps can help you work out what
sort of ground you’ll be walking over and can help you prepare.
Being able to
read a map can really help to make your day better and Ordnance Survey have
some great online guides that will help you learn how to read their maps. You’ll know what obstacles are coming up and
be able to take a detour. Climbing a
cliff as a shortcut or worse, falling down one is something you really want to
avoid so it’s a good idea to stay away from cliff edges. They can give way suddenly and could bring
your day to a crashing end.
It’s also a
good idea to keep dogs on leads near cliff edges. We’re just as good at rescuing dogs from
cliffs as we are people but a lead will save a lot of stress for your dog.
Beware of mud
flats and quicksand - that short cut may not be so quick! When you see some
mud, it might be tempting to just walk over it, even if you’re wearing
wellies. Some types of mud looks ok to
walk on, but once it has you in its grip, it won’t let you escape without help. If you do get stuck in mud, spread your
weight, keep calm and call us.
If you’re not
sure where you are there are lots of useful tools that might help you such as;
a map, GPS and some apps you download for smartphones. Coastguards are well trained in asking the
right questions to find out exactly where you are, so if you do end up in
trouble, any information you can give us to help locate you can save vital time.
If the worse
happens and you or someone else is in trouble at the coast, call 999 and ask
for the Coastguard. We’ll help you.
Christian Flux,
Staff Officer Coastal Operations, HM Coastguard