In the news

The Lake District Visitor Safety Group has teamed up with Mosaic Outdoors again for its 2023 campaign: #BeAdventureSmart.  Three new videos are being launched this week ahead of the May Bank Holidays as part of the outdoor safety campaign; these inclusive films provide important advice to enable everyone who ventures onto the fells and in the lakes, to enjoy the outdoors safely and return at the end of the day to regale their tales.

• Be Adventure Smart – Make your good day better
• Exploring the hills as part of a large group – Be Adventure Smart
• Searching for that unique selfie – Be Adventure Smart

Tony Watson, Head of Visitor Services and Communications, Lake District National Park Authority said “Visitor safety and enjoyment is of the utmost importance to us and it is vital to highlight guidance on how to stay safe on the fells and in the lakes. We are proud to work with our partners to promote the AdventureSmart campaign and are confident it will educate and inspire locals and tourists alike to get out and enjoy their own adventures in a knowledgeable, confident and responsible way”

This rush to enjoy outdoor activities such as hillwalking, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, sit-on-top kayaking, swimming outdoors or just picnicking by the water’s edge will result in happy memories for many but some who are unprepared and ill-informed for their adventure may find themselves in difficulty requiring rescue by the increasingly busy emergency services.  www.adventuresmart.uk is a one-stop-shop for all the information people need to stay safe in the outdoors whatever their chosen activity.

Over 100 organisations with an interest in outdoor recreation and tourism are partners in the national campaign, AdventureSmart UK.  The campaign asks people to #beadventuresmart and make their good day better by taking some simple actions to help them enjoy our hills and countryside safely.

Paul Donovan (AdventureSmart Project Lead) said “Building on our work in 2022 we are delighted to launch these videos which encourage everyone to stay safe whilst focussing on a number of keys areas: those heading to the hills and fells; those spending time on, in or by the water and; those looking for that unique ‘selfie’ opportunity, and in doing so, we hope to encourage people to enjoy our coast and countryside whilst taking responsibility for their own safety.”

Whether you will be taking a walk on the fells, mountain biking through woodland, picnicking by the water’s edge, dipping your toes in the water to cool off, bobbing about in the waves or going for a full-on swim outdoors, Paul’s top tip is to be flexible and prepared, “As we all know, the weather changes rapidly here in the UK so keeping a close eye on the current weather conditions (and tidal conditions at the coast) and understanding how that will affect the environment will enable you to be as prepared as you can be for what is coming your way and able to make suitable and appropriate decisions regarding your intended plan. It’s ok to choose a more suitable location or make plans for another day instead.” 

The AdventureSmart advice for everyone heading out to explore the Lake District this summer is; #BeAdventureSmart – Make your good day better by asking yourself 3 questions…

1. Am I confident I have the KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS for the day?
2. Do I know what the WEATHER will be like?
3. Do I have the right GEAR?

….and if things do go wrong, make sure you know how and when to get help. #BeAdventureSmart, if you find someone in trouble: don’t put yourself at risk. In an emergency call;

• Inland: 999 – ask for the police and then the Mountain Rescue
• Inland waters: 999 – ask for Fire & Rescue Service
• Sea and coastal area: 999 – ask for the Coastguard

For further information, please contact: Paul Donovan (escape.routes@btinternet.com) or Mohammed Dhalech, (midhal@ruralmosaic.info)