Generally - be prepared

Always know where you are, and if you are on an activity, far from a road and you have to call the emergency services, be ready with a map reference. Remember your First Response. First remove the patient from further danger, then send someone for the emergency services making sure that they know where you are. Check the patient for vital signs, put in the recovery position and give basic first aid.

POR Rule 7.2

All accidents to individuals or involving damage to property must be reported. (See Rule 7.4).

In the case of an accident to an individual, a member of the party must alert the appropriate rescue services, if required, and inform the 'Home Contact'.

Details are contained in the factsheet Home Contact available from the Scout Information Centre.

The 'Home Contact', when informed of the accident, must advise:

• the home Scout authority;
• the next of kin.

In the case of a serious accident (loss of life, the prospect of loss of life or paralysis) the 'Home Contact' must advise the Press Officer at Headquarters.

Communications with the news media may not be initiated by the 'Home Contact'.

All communication with the news media must be referred to the Press Officer or the home Scout authority.

In many cases the news media will arrive at the incident or get in touch with the 'Home Contact' before any communication with Headquarters has been established.

When this happens care must be taken in making any statement. Any statement should be limited to straightforward confirmation of basic facts.

The Press Officer will offer advice and assistance in dealing with the news media when emergencies and accidents to individuals occur.

In the case of an accident abroad, involving a stay in hospital, or loss of life, a member of the party or the 'Home Contact' must advise appropriate agency(ies) required by their travel insurers.

The contact telephone numbers for the Press Officer at Headquarters are:

• during office hours - 0845 300 1818;
• after office hours - 020 7584 7031 and ask for the number of the Headquarters Duty Press Officer.

In Scotland, the Scottish Headquarters should be informed. The telephone numbers are:

• during office hours - 01383 419073;
• after office hours - 020 7584 7031 and ask for the number of the Headquarters Duty Press Officer.

In Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Headquarters should be informed. The telephone numbers are:

• during office hours - 02890 492829;
• after office hours - 07973 301195.

The home Scout authority must ensure that:

• clear communication links are maintained by the 'Home Contact' with a responsible person in the area of the accident, the next of kin and Headquarters;
• appropriate arrangements are made for the return of the party, as necessary;
• in cases of serious injury, every assistance is available to ensure the next of kin can visit the casualty.

Headquarters, when notified, will contact the Scout authority of the area in which the incident occurred.

The home District Commissioner (or County Commissioner in the case of County activities), in conjunction with the leader of the party or other responsible person, must be prepared, if required by Headquarters, to produce a full confidential report relating to authorisation, training, equipment, briefing and leadership of the party involved, together with their observations relating to the sequence of events and possible causes of the accident.

This report will be submitted to the home County Commissioner who will forward it to Headquarters accompanied by his own observations relating to the circumstances, details of County support for education and training in respect of such activities and, as appropriate, any recommendations he intends to implement in the light of experience gained.

In the case of a fatal incident, or an incident that Headquarters considers could have resulted in a fatality, The Secretary of the Association will establish an enquiry on behalf of the Committee of the Council.

Leaders are also required to notify the appropriate Government Agency when accidents occur during Air Activities or during Water Activities in coastal or deep sea waters.

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