Hiking Safety Guidelines

5.1 Hilly Paths

• Hikers sustain a fall easily when going down a hilly path. Wet rock surfaces, muddy paths and sandy or gravelly badlands pose similar hazards.

Safety Guidelines

• Wear ankle boots with corrugated soles for hiking.
• Bring a walking stick for use if necessary.
• If possible, avoid walking on wet rock surfaces, muddy paths and sandy or gravelly badland.

Emergency Measures

• When someone has slipped and injured, check if he has any sprain, fracture, abrasion or other injuries. If necessary, give first aid.
• Fractures may be difficult to detect. If painful swelling occurs, curtail the planned journey.
• If the injured can walk, he should do so with the aid of a walking stick or with the support of other companions. He should, by no means, walk by himself as this would aggravate his injury.
• If the injured has a severe sprain or difficulty in walking, use mobile phone or send someone to seek help. Move the injured to a shady, dry and flat ground; cover him with clothing to keep him warm and wait for the rescue team.

5.2  Flash Flood

• The devastating power and speed of flash flood should never be underestimated. A stream may overflow and become raging torrents in heavy rain and wash away travelers, resulting in casualties within minutes.

Safety Guidelines

• Avoid hiking when the weather is bad or unstable, especially when the rainstorm warning signal is in force.
• Don’t wade in the stream after heavy rain in summer.
• Don’t hike, swim, jump or engage in other water sports along water course.
• Don’t stay at the water course for taking rest, especially at its lower reaches.
• When it rains, leave the water course immediately and head for a high spot ashore.
• Never attempt to cross any inundated bridges. In case of heavy rain, leave the water course immediately.

Emergency Measures

• Rapid flows, turbid water with sand and mud are early signs of flash floods. Leave the water course immediately.
• If you fall into water, grip or hold on to the rocks, branches or vines near the banks; try to get ashore and leave the river course right away.

5.3 Landslide

• Landslides may occur when a large amount of rainwater has soaked a natural or artificial slope during a downpour or after days of heavy rain.

Safety Guidelines

• Avoid going near or staying around steep slopes during heavy rain or after a few days of heavy rain.
• The oozing out of a large quantity of muddy water from the base or the weep holes of a slope indicates that the slope is saturated with water. Exposure of inner soil and appearance of new cracks on the slope are early signs of a landslide. Keep away from such slopes.
• Don’t proceed by stepping on loose mud if landslide blocks your way; retreat or seek another safe route to leave the scene immediately.

Emergency Measures

• Don’t try to rescue accompany buried in a landslide. You should call for a fully equipped rescue team for help.

5.4 Hill fire

• Hill fire advances rapidly upward and windward on a grass slope in dry weather. Never underestimate its devastating power.

Safety Guidelines

• For the sake of safety, handle kindling materials with great care.
• Except at designated barbecue sites or campsites, never light a fire.
• Smokers should refrain from smoking during hiking and all cigarette-stubs or matches should be totally extinguished before being discarded into rubbish bins.
• Hill fire is difficult to detect in daytime. Always pay attention to flying ashes or the smell of something burning. If a hill fire is spotted, leave the fire scene immediately.
• Don’t overlook the spreading speed of hill fire. Do not continue your journey in case of a fire nearby or you may get trapped in the fire.

Emergency Measures

• When there is a hill fire, stay calm.
• Never attempt to extinguish a hill fire indiscriminately, except that

1. the affected area is very small;
2. you are in a safe place; and
3. you can quickly evacuate from the fire scene.

• Evaluate the direction in which the fire spreads and avoid escaping in the same direction of the prevailing wind.
• Evaluate the gradient of the paths nearby and choose the one which is the easiest for escape.
• Find a place with less vegetation for escape.
• It is easier and quicker to escape through existing paths.
• If the fire is imminent and there is no way out, you should cover your exposed skin with wet clothing and then make way to the already burnt area. This can minimize the chance of getting injured. To conserve energy, never run uphill if the situation permits.
• Don’t run into shrubs or grasslands, as fire usually spread rapidly and the temperature may soar in these areas.

5.5 Lightning Strikes

• Lightning normally strikes at the highest point of an object and the electric current is conducted to the ground via the least resistant path.
• Hikers attacked by lightning usually have the symptoms of muscle spasm, scalds, suffocation and cardiac arrest.

Safety Guidelines

• Take note of the latest weather information. Avoid hiking when the weather is unstable, especially when thunderstorm warning signal is in force.
• Wear shoes or boots with rubber soles in outdoor areas.
• Don’t touch water or wet objects.

Emergency Measures

• Don’t stand on hill tops or near any highly conductive objects. Keep away from trees and masts which are likely to be struck by lightning.
• Since lightning current is conducted away through the ground, you should not lie down especially when the ground is wet. Instead you should crouch down to minimize the area of contact between you and the ground.
• Stay away from iron fences or other metal installations, including antennae and water pipes. Remove all metal objects (e.g. gold ornaments, watch) from your body.
• Consider switching off the mobile phones.
• Seek shelter in buildings whenever possible.
• Don’t swim or engage in other water sports.
• Don’t touch any inflammable materials, such as kerosene or liquefied petroleum gas.
• Beware of intense gusts

5.6  Getting Lost

• It is easy to get lost during bad weather or venture unplanned route.

Safety Guidelines

• Choose maintained paths with clear directory signs and plan your hiking route carefully.
• Stay tuned to weather report, and avoid hiking under adverse weather condition.
• Remember to bring all necessities including maps, compass, ample drinking water, food, torch, rain gear, radio, first-aid kit, whistle, mobile phone and backup battery, notebook and pen.

Emergency Measures

• Find your location with a compass and a map.
• Recall the route you have covered and retrace your steps to your original position. If this is not possible, stay and wait for rescue.
• To save your energy, don’t proceed further.
• If you must advance further, take note of all the paths that you have tried.
• Avoid steep ravines as it is not easy to locate oneself in this topography. Head for a high spot if you fail to identify your location. It is easier to identify directions and to be discovered by the rescue team.
• In case cold weather sets in but you do not have sufficient warm protective clothing or if thunderstorm or hill fire occurs, leave the high spot until the situation improves and go back to the high spot again and wait for rescue.
• Give out international mountain distress signals. (See P. 25)

5.7 Heat Stroke

• Heat stroke is caused by one’s inability to regulate body temperature through transpiration at high ambient temperatures. The patient feels hot, dizzy, uneasy and even becomes unconscious. When the temperature exceeds 40oC, skin will become dry and flush; breath and pulse rate will increase. In some serious cases, the patient will suffer from shock. One shall lower the patient’s body temperature and seek medical assistance.
• Overheat of the body will lead to heat exhaustion which usually occurs when one is engaging in sports in hot and humid weather, especially when one fails to replenish his body fluid and salt lost through The symptoms are exhaustion, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle spasm, paleness, clammy skin, rapid but weak breath and pulse.

Safety Guidelines

• In summer months, plan a route which is shaded by trees. Leave more time for rest and don’t plan a prolong journey.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
• Drink ample of water or mineral water.

Emergency Measures

• Move the patient to a cool shaded place. Remove his clothing and lay him down with feet elevated; give him drinks if he is conscious. Avoid the patient being surrounded by people.
• If necessary, apply other body-cooling techniques like immersion in water, wetting clothing and fanning until the symptoms disappear.
• Continue to replenish water and ask for help in order to rescue the patient as soon as possible.
• If the patient sweats heavily and convulse, serve him with salt water in the ratio of one tea spoon of salt to one liter of water.

5.8 Hypothermia

• It is caused by drop of body temperature due to lack of sufficient clothing in a cold place. Even in summer, rapid drop in temperature due to sudden cold rain or rainstorm will also cause hypothermia.
• Symptoms: fatigue, exhaustion, clammy skin, stumbling, shivering, muscle spasms, stammering and

Safety Guidelines

• Have a good sleep on the night before the hike.
• Don’t go hiking if you are not feeling well.
• Have a nutritious meal before setting out. Take high energy food like chocolate during the trip.
• Bring warm protective and rain-proof clothing
• Bring a spare set of clothes for change.
• Don’t overload yourself with bulky object.
• Rest at intervals. Don’t overstrain.

Emergency Measures

• Seek rain shelter and change wet clothes.
• Cover your head, face, neck and body with clothing or sleeping bag to keep warm.
• Take hot drinks and high energy food to maintain body temperature.

5.9 Snakebite

• Common venomous snakes in Hong Kong include Banded Krait, Many-banded Krait, King Cobra, Chinese Cobra and Bamboo Snake. They are more active in spring, summer and autumn.

Safety Guidelines

• Wear long trousers and ankle boots.
• Use maintained paths, never venture new path and avoid hiking in dense woodland or tall underbrush.

Emergency Measures

• If you see a snake, keep calm and stay still. Let the snake run away. Snakes have good eyesight. Irritation will lead to snake attack.
• In case of snakebite, please take the following
  1. Don’t cut, suck or wash the wound. Keep the injured lie down at rest. Don’t elevate the wound or make unnecessary Avoid alcoholic drinks.
  2. Whenever possible, use bandage to tie above the wound. Use a wide bandage if the wound is on arm or leg.
  3. Pacify the injured and rush him to a hospital for If possible, identify the type, colours and patterns of the venomous snake. If the snake has been caught, bring it along to the hospital so that the right antivenom can be used.

5.10 Bee Sting

• Don’t touch the combs of bees, hornets or wasps in countryside, this would avoid being attacked and stung by their swarm.

Safety Guidelines

• Use maintained trails. Don’t venture new paths, avoid going into grass/fern bushes or tall underbrush where insects and wasps inhabit.
• Don’t disturb combs. Never strike bushes with branch or stick.
• Avoid using aromatic body lotion.

Emergency Measures

• If there are only one or two bees/hornets/wasps hovering above, ignore them and keep going as usual.
• If there is a comb blocking the way, circumvent it and proceed.
• When attacked by a swarm of bees/hornets/wasps, squat still and cover your head and neck with outerwear for protection, or lie curled on the ground and evacuate slowly after the swarm has dispersed.
• If the sting is left in the wound, remove it with forceps. Don’t squeeze the poisonous gland to prevent any residue poison from entering the body. You may apply a cold compress and apply it lightly to the wound to soothe the pain temporarily.
• Seek medical treatment if stung seriously.

• 5.11 Mosquito Bite
  • Mosquitoes are common in the countryside. Mosquito bites cause temporary itching. However, one may be infected with dengue fever when being bitten by Aedine mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) carrying dengue virus.
  • Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue viruses. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedine mosquitoes.

  Safety Guidelines

  • Wear loose, light-coloured long-sleeved tops and trousers, and apply DEET-containing insect repellent on clothing and exposed parts of the body.
  • Avoid prolonged stay under tree, in grass bushes and hidden places.
  • Don’t dispose empty boxes, soft drink cans and plastic bags which can retain stagnant water.
  • Don’t store empty barrels or bottles for water storage purposes in the countryside.

  Emergency Measures

  • Stay away from the places that are infested with mosquitoes.
  • The incubation period of dengue fever is 3 to 14 days. Dengue fever is clinically characterised by sudden onset of fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea and rash. One should pay attention to the symptoms if being bitten by the Aedes mosquitoes and seek medical advice promptly for doubt.

   

  • For more details, please refer to the website of the Centre for Health Protection: chp.gov.hk

5.12 Mites and Ticks

• Some mites inhabiting the rural areas may carry vector borne diseases such as scrub typhus. Scrub typhus is infected through the bites of infected Trombiculid mites. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain and punch-out skin ulcer (eschar) at the site of vector bite. To prevent vector bites, members of public should take preventive measures when going to rural areas.
• Tick-borne spotted fever is transmitted by ticks. Most larval ticks cluster at the tips of grasses or leaves and seek for their preferred animals or humans for sucking blood. Humans bitten by infective larval ticks may contract the disease.
• Precautionary measures should be taken at countryside to avoid being bitten by these vectors.

Safety Hints

• Wear loose, light-coloured long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply DEET-containing insect repellent on clothing and exposed parts of the body.
• Wear shoes that cover entire foot, avoid wearing sandal or open shoes.
• Avoid resting or lying inside scrubby areas.
• Don’t hang clothing on vegetation.
• Avoid brushing the grasses beside the path.
• Don’t feed wild or stray animal.
• Inspect and disinfest your accompanying pets regularly.

Emergency Measures

• The incubation period for scrub typhus is commonly 10 to 12 days while that for tick-borne spotted fever is about 6 to 10 days. One should pay attention to the symptoms if being bitten and seek medical advice promptly for doubt.
• For more details, please refer to the websites of Centre for Health Protection (chp.gov.hk) and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (www.fehd.gov.hk).

5.13 Dangerous Plants

• Some common plants in the wilderness are harmful to hikers. For examples:

Wax Tree – skin allergy

Prickly Ash- scratches

Wild mushrooms/ wild

fruits – probably poisonous, can be fatal if consumed.

Safety Hints

• Avoid going into dense bushes.
• Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers and bring a pair of gloves.
• Protect your head and face or exposed skins with handkerchief or clothing if you have to pass through a bush.
• Don’t touch the Wax Tree.
• Beware of thorns when gripping on a plant.
• Don’t attempt to eat wild fruits/mushrooms.

Emergency Measures

• Seek immediate medical treatment if skin allergy occurs after touching a plant or you are poisoned by wild fruits/mushrooms.

• Give first aid to the injured as far as possible.
• Send out international mountain distress signals (see 25) until the rescue team arrives.
• If possible, at least one member should look after the injured while the other two should go together to seek help.
• To facilitate rescue, the person who goes to seek help or call for help should write down the following essential information to ensure the accuracy of the distress message.

1. 1. the nature/cause/ time of accident
   2. the location/ grid reference/ number of the nearest distance post (see p. 26)
   3. the terrain/special landmarks in the vicinity
   4. the number of injured and number of persons on the spot
   5. the nature of injury
   6. the personal details of the injured including the name, age, sex, telephone number and contacts of family members

6.1 International Mountain Distress Signals

• Ways:

1. send out six long blasts within one minute;
2. pause for one minute;
3. repeat a. and b. Don’t stop until the rescue team comes. Keep on giving out the signals even if the rescue team has discovered you from a far distance so that the rescuers can identify your exact position.

• Tools:
  • Blowing a whistle
  • Flashing with your torch light at night
  • Reflecting light with a mirror or metal sheet
  • Waving colourful or shiny clothes to attract attention

Morse Code Distress Signals

• Sending out blasts in the sequence of three short, three long and three short.

SOS Distress Signal

• If possible, use stones or tree branches to form the characters of SOS (Save Our Soul) on a flat and open space (Each character should be 6m x 6m).

6.2 Distance Post and “Your Location” Map Coordinate

• The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has erected distance posts at about 500m intervals along all long-distance hiking trails (MacLehose Trail, Lantau Trail, Hong Kong Trail and Wilson Trail) as well as all country trails for users to identify their location. In case of emergency, they can state their position by referring to the number on the nearby distance post or the coordinates marked at the location map, thus facilitating search and rescue operation.
• “50222 SMS/ GPS Hiker Tracking Service”: Hikers can punch in the numbers of distance posts they see along the trail and send them to 50222 via SMS or open the GPS hiker Tracking Services of the “Enjoy Hiking” mobile application. In case of accidents, rescue parties can locate the hikers based on the data. Details please refer to the following websites:

• 50222 SMS Hiker Tracking Service: cahk.hk/50222SMS/50222_SMS_Eng.htm

• GPS Hiker Tracking Service: cahk.hk/hiker_tracking_service/eng.html

• Emergency call: 999 or 112

• Telephone numbers of Country Park Ranger Offices/ Fire Control Centre

(Enquiry for hiking routes during office hours)

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