IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
Please read in conjunction with BHPA incident advice- https://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/Dealing_with_incidents.pdf
​
PILOT NEEDS HELP.
If you land out or alone, please bunch up immediately. This signals to others ‘I am safe’ as the glider is under control, and you are moving about. Conversely, if you see a laid-out or loose wing and the pilot is not moving, try and make contact or land safely and investigate.
IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
Someone needs to TAKE CHARGE. This will usually be a coach or pilot who has done an incident management course. Find out if you have a first aider.
​
IF THE INCIDENT INVOLVES ELECTRICITY
Stay away. Do not approach the casualty or equipment. Dial 999 and request police- report the incident. Clear the area of people and stop others approaching. Notify the electricity company. There may be information on utility poles or use 0800 6783 105.
REMOVE FURTHER DANGER
GIVE FIRST AID.
Any experienced first aiders should administer necessary first aid that is within their abilities.
CALL FOR HELP
Call 999 and ask for Police. Use the words ‘Paragliding Accident, Fall From Height, Remote Location (if appropriate)’. You will need the following information- Type of incident, location, potential hazards, access, terrain and casualty information- age, time and extent of injury, consciousness.
LOCATION.
Use what3words or OS Grid Reference for location of injured pilot. Postcodes or site names will not be enough. Make sure the location is understood and confirm if a helicopter is incoming.
PREPARE FOR HELICOPTER
Clear the airspace. Alert pilots visually by making an ‘H’ sign out of gliders. This needs constant management- when the helicopter is detected nearby this will need to be packed along with all loose gliders and foreign objects. Contact airborne pilots by radio if possible. Whistle the SOS signal (three short blasts, three long repeated). Telegram site closure. When the helicopter has acquired you, stand at casualty making a ‘Y’ with your arms.
PILOTS IN THE AIR
If you see an ‘H’ on take-off land safely straight away. If you hear the SOS signal, land safely straight away. Make safe your glider and render aid.
FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
HELP THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
With stabilising and evacuating the casualty.
REPORT THE INCIDENT.
Record the witnesses. Submit a BHPA Incident Report promptly. In the case of very serious accidents, inform the BHPA immediately. Inform the Avon club Overall Sites Officer and Safety Officer. Take care of equipment and personal effects.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Be succinct, do not discuss any details or names. Example of good use of Telegram is ‘Site X, Incident, Helicopter incoming, Site closed’.