The document outlines safety guidelines for trekking in various geographic areas. It recommends grading treks based on difficulty and assigning leaders accordingly. Leader to participant ratios vary based on trek grade, with easier treks allowing more participants. Leaders must obtain medical information from participants and give briefings on hazards, schedules, and emergency procedures. Additional precautions are outlined for high altitude and desert trekking, including following altitude sickness guidelines, carrying extra water, and anticipating flash floods and weather changes.

1. Safety Guidelines
Section 10.1
Field Guidelines for Trekking
1.0
Activity Covered: Trekking, Scrambling and Hiking at High altitude, Desert, Coastal, Sahyadri and
other geographical areas.
2.0
Instructions: Trekking, Scrambling and Hiking in the Sahyadri and other geographical areas.
•
Every Trek / Hike needs to be graded depending upon the level of difficulty. Method suggested is
as follows:
C: Easy hike/ trek with no technical difficulty foreseen
B : Strenuous hike/ trek and/or with some technical difficulty.
A : Very strenuous hike/ trek and with technical difficulties.
•
A Leader, Co-Leader and Supporting Leaders are to be appointed as per the requirement
based on the difficulty level of that particular trek/hike.
•
Organisers and Leaders need to be aware of access restrictions of the specific area and they
are expected to seek advice and permissions as necessary.
•
Leaders are suggested to have sufficient knowledge of and expected to respect local tradition
and show interest in the social history to provide a stimulating and interesting trek / hike.
•
A copy of the detailed planning including route detail and details of the members of the group
will be kept in the office of the organisation.
•
It is expected from the leader to act as the role model for the participants. It is of vital
importance that the instructions given to the participants are followed by the leaders themselves
Leaders will hold the relevant qualification or equivalent Area Specific basic knowledge.
•
It is strongly suggested that a Leader has certain skills and qualifications as explained in the “Skills
and Competencies Recommended by EC of AMGM” on page XXX.
2.1
Participant to Leader Ratio :
Apart from Leader and co-leader, the availability of support leaders will determine the group size.
The ratio will vary with the grade of the trek. The standard ratio is as under:•
Grade ‘C’ treks - 8:1 (maximum group size has no limit as long as this ratio is maintained)
•
Grade ‘B’ treks – 5:1 (maximum Group Size 25 including leaders)
•
Grade ‘A’ treks – 3:1 (maximum Group Size 25 including leaders)
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2. Safety Guidelines
2.2 Information to be obtained from participants:
It is strongly advised to gather following information from the Participants at the time of enrollment for
treks.
•
Name of the participant
•
Phone no.
•
In Case of Emergency (ICE) Contact Number
•
Address
•
Email Address
•
Previous hiking etc. experience
•
Blood group
•
Relevant medical history
2.3 Trek Briefs:
Different briefs as following are highly recommended to organise a safe Trek and to improve
communication and comfort level between the Organisation and Participant.
2.4 Pre Trek Brief by Organisers to Participants: It would include following points
•
Name of the Trek
•
Date and Duration of the Trek
•
Contribution / fees charged
•
Inclusions and exclusions in the amount charged
•
Brief Info of the Objective of the trek / hike: about the places to be visited and potential Risks
and Difficulties
•
Departure and Arrival Time: It will also include mode of transport
•
Brief Program: Tentative schedule, expected time log (e.g. 4 hrs climb etc)
•
Rules & Regulations of the Organisation for the conduct of the activity
•
Expected dress code
•
Kit list of items for participants
•
Emergency contact numbers: The numbers in case family members of the participants want to
enquire/ inform in case of emergency.
Important: Request to Participants to leave a printout of this Pre-Trek brief with someone at home.
2.5 Introductory Brief by the leaders to the participants
•
Self Introduction, Declaration that the leader is the authority on the trek.
•
Roles and responsibilities of leader and participants
•
Brief Introduction of the Organisation
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3. Safety Guidelines
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Declaration of Co-Leader and Support leaders
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Identification of hazards expected on route
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Request participants to inform the leaders about any discomfort they are facing
•
Information about the importance of Hydration
•
Information about blisters and hot spots and how to avoid them
•
Time schedule of the trek
•
Geographical information
•
Ask participants to disclose any specific medical problem like epilepsy, asthma, hypertension,
diabetes, etc.
•
Safety of people
•
Safety of environments
•
Social behaviour - communication with villagers etc.
•
Emergency response mechanism. (Refer Annexure XXXX)
•
Finally seek confirmation if they have understood the instructions
•
Take signatures on Risk certificate or disclaimer.
•
Inform participants about availability of a medical kit
•
Information on calling signals
•
General instructions to participants regarding how to walk on a trail and on difficult patches.
•
Check with participants for their area of expertise which can be helpful to the group during the
trek in general and a crisis in particular
•
Important: These brief /relevant points are to be repeated at regular intervals as necessary.
•
It is advisable to create a mechanism for Post-Trek Review and Analysis that will help to make
future activities safer and more enjoyable.
3.0 Instructions: Trekking at High Altitude.
•
In case of High Altitude Treks it is essential to consider and follow IMF Guidelines (Refer
www,indmount).
4.0 Instructions: Trekking in the Desert (Additional guidelines for Desert Trekking)
•
Drinking water: Carry 5 L per person for a full day's hike, and even more on exceptionally hot
days. Water sources may not be available on the trails or in campgrounds. Natural water sources
are few and unreliable, and most are suspected of contamination.
•
Flash floods: Be sure to check the weather forecast in advance, otherwise these may catch you
completely by surprise.
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4. Safety Guidelines
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Weather: Hot days and cold, windy nights rule this region. It is advisable to plan the trek
accordingly and wear suitable clothing. Sudden changes in climatic conditions need to be
anticipated and thus regular updates on weather forecast are to be acquired.
•
Complex Orientation: Due to lack of physical landmarks and monotonous uniformity of the land,
it is advisable to follow only marked trails and used defined campsites.
•
Many plants of this region are poisonous. They may be dangerous to consume, also one has to
be careful for the possibility of getting scratched by thorns.
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