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 Safety
Hints for Hiking in Country Parks
 
Prevention
against Dengue Fever
The
Basics
Preparation
Along
the Way
Possible
Hazards and hints to Hikers
Means
to Seek Help
Phone
Numbers
1. Introduction
Covering some 40 per cent of the territory, country parks in Hong Kong
provide a great variety of trails for hiking or leisure walks.
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Hiking requires no special skills but suitable training and preparation
are necessary for the hikers to cope with the many-fold changes and
prevent misfortunes from happening. |
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The safety guidelines and emergency measures in this booklet will
help hikers to enhance safety in hiking. |
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The information contained in this booklet is for reference only.
Please consult updated maps and other useful information when planning
your route for each hiking trip. |
2. The Basics
Carefully plan and familiarise yourself with the route before setting
out. Escape routes and contingency plans should be arranged in advance.
An experienced group leader who is familiar with the route is important
to lead a journey. Assistants with experience would also be necessary
for a large group. Ideally, an assistant leader should be available for
every ten members.
Use only paths that are clearly way-marked and maintained.
Don't deviate from maintained path or make detours, doing so is easy to
lose direction or run into danger.
Don't overexert your physical limits. Know your limits and do everything
in your competence.
Don't go alone. It is always preferrable to hike in a group of four or
above.
3. Preparation
Prior to the Journey.
Note the weather conditions, pay special attention to potential climatic
hazards during the following periods:
Nov to Feb
A sudden drop in temperature may cause hypothermia;
gusty wind with low humidity may increase the risk of hill fire.
March to April
Poor visibility due to misty weather; hikers may get lost easily
May to Nov
Thunderstorm, typhoon and heavy shower may cause flooding and landslide;
High temperature may cause heat stroke and heat exhaustion
Before the journey, the leader should leave the following details to a
contact person not participating in the event:
a) Nature of the journey, the route and the destination;
b) Date and time of the event, as well as the estimated finishing time;
c) Number of participants and their age;
Names of participants, contact phone number and address of their next
of kin.
Participants should also inform the same to their family.
Sleep well on the night before the journey. Have a nutritious meal before
setting out especially for a long walk.
Put on suitable clothes and footwear; avoid wearing shorts and short-sleeved
shirts; remember to take along a hat that can keep off the sun in summer
and keep you warm in winter.
Suitable spare clothing and essentials including maps, compass, drinking
water, food, torch, rain gear, radio, first-aid kit, whistle, mobile phone,
notebook and pen, etc should be carried in your rucksack.
A mobile phone can be the bestmeans to call for assistance. However, it
is important to note its coverage and blind spots such as mountain ridges
and valleys. It is also important to bring enough backups for battery.
4. Along the Way
Hiking Leader
Brief members the journey and the points to note before setting out.
Pay special attention to the way-marks and the adjacent environs to ensure
that one is on the right track.
Note the physical conditions of the participants and watch out for signs
of depresssion. If someone looks tired, allow the whole group to have
a suitable break. Ensure that no one is straggling behind or straying
away.
Watch out for any changes in your surrounding environment; listen to the
weather bulletin and news report so as to take early precautionary measures.
Take note of all warning signs to avoid accidents.
If bad weather sets in, one should consider shortening or curtailing the
planned route.
Should the group become overdue in case of emergency or sudden change,
ask the contact person to relay your message.
When approaching an area that has a hill fire occurring nearby, a hiking leader should
take note of any advisory and warnings issued, do not enter that area. A hiking
leader should follow the instructions provided by staff on site, assist the team to leave
the area and stay away from the hazard safety.
Don't alter your route indiscriminately or attempt to take any overgrown
short cuts. You may find yourself getting lost or stranded in a place
where you can neither retreat nor proceed.
Members
Respect your hiking leader. Should you wish to leave halfway, make suitable
arrangement to avoid mishaps.
Don't eat wild fruit or drink untreated water from any stream.
Don't deviate from the maintained path or venture into bushes or forests;
Don't light fire or cook in non-designated areas. This illegal act would
easily cause hill fire.
Avoid standing at the cliff edge or climbing onto rocks to take photos
or admire the views.
5.Possible Hazards to Hikers
5.1 Slippery paths
Hikers sustain a fall easily when going down a slippery path. Wet rock
surfaces, muddy paths and sandy badland pose similar hazards.
Safety Guidelines
Wear ankle boots with corrugated soles for hiking.
Bring a walking stick for use if necessary.
Whenever possible, avoid walking on wet rock surfaces, muddy paths and
sandy badland.
Emergency Measures
When someone has slipped and got injured, check if he has any sprain,
fracture, abrasion or other injuries. If necessary, give first aid right
away
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 a 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
arrival of the rescue team.
5.2 Mountain Torrent
The devastating power and speed of mountain torrent should never be underestimated.
A small stream may swell and converge into raging torrents in heavy rain
and wash away travellers, resulting in casualties within minutes.
Safety Guidelines
Listen to the weather bulletin. Avoid hiking when the weather is unstable,
especially when the rainstorm warning signal is hoisted.
Don't hike along a water course when it rains. Leave the water course
without delay and head for a high spot ashore.
Don't stay at the water course for a rest, especially at its lower reaches.
Don't wade in the stream after heavy rain.
Never attempt to cross any inundated bridges. In case of heavy rain, leave
the water course right away.
Emergency Measures
Rapid flows, turbid water with sand and mud are early signs of torrents.
Leave the water course without delay.
If you fall into a rapid flow, 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 are not uncommon when a large amount of rainwater has soaked
a natural or artificial slope during a downpour or after a few 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 of the slope 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 right away.
Emergency Measures
Unless you are fully equipped and properly trained, don't try to resume
life buried in a landslide. You should call for a fully equipped rescue
team to avoid further casualties.
5.4 Hillfire
Hill fire advances rapidly upward and windward on a steep grass slope
in dry weather. Never underestimate its devastating power.
During the outbreak of a hill fire, all visitors should note the advisory and warnings issued, and follow the instruction of on site staff to stay away from the hill fire-affected area. Do not enter an area that might be affected by an occurring hill fire to ensure safety.
Safety Guidelines
Listen to the weather bulletin. If the fire danger warning is red, handle
kindling materials with great care.
Except at designated barbecue sites or campsites, never light a fire within
country parks. Smokers should refrain from smoking; all cigarette-stubs
or matches should be totally extinguished before discarding into litter
boxes.
Hill fire is difficult to detect in daytime. Always pay attention to flying
ashes or burnt smell. If a hill fire is spotted, leave the fire scene
right away.
It is difficult to assess the spreading of hillfire. Don't risk continuing
your journey in case of a fire nearby or you may get trapped in the fire.
Emergency Measures
Don't panic and keep calm.
Never attempt to attend a hill fire indiscriminately.
Note the following for a quick evacuation from the scene of fire:
a) The direction in which the fire spreads - avoid escaping in the same
direction of the prevailing wind
b) The height and density of the vegetation nearby - Find a place with
less vegetation for escape.
The gradient of the paths nearby - Choose the one which is easiest 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 for the burnt area. This
can minimize the chance of getting injured.
Never run uphill if the situation permits.
Don't run into shrubs or grassgrown area, fire usually spreads rapidly
and the temperature may soar in these areas..
5.5 Lightning stroke
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
Listen to the weather bulletin. Avoid hiking when the weather condition
is unstable, especially when the thunderstorm warning signal is hoisted.
Wear shoes or boots with rubber soles in outdoor areas.
Emergency Measures
Don't stand at hilltop or near any object with high conductivity. As trees
and poles can easily be striken by lightning, give them a wide berth as
far as possible. After striking an object, the electricity current of
lightning will spread through the ground. Therefore, Don't lie on the
ground, especially wet ground surface. Squat and minimize the contact
area with the ground as far as possible.
Stay away from iron fences or other metal objects. Don't touch any antenna,
water pipes, iron mesh or other similar metal installations. Remove all
metal objects (e.g. gold ornaments) from your body.
Take shelter in a building whenever possible.
Don't swim or engage in other water sports. Leave the water and seek shelter
right away.
Don't touch any inflammable materials, such as kerosene or liquefied petroleum
gas.
5.6 Getting Lost
It is easy to get lost during bad weather or when not properly prepared
Safety Guidelines
Pay attention to the current weather bulletin and avoid hiking if the
weather is bad.
Choose only maintained paths that are clearly waymarked and plan the route
before setting out carefully.
Remember to bring all necessities including maps, compass, drinking water,
food, torch, rain gear, radio, first-aid kit, whistle, mobile phone, notebook
and pen.
Emergency Measures
Finding your location with the use of 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 Put and wait for rescue.
Don't go further, this would waste your energy. If you must advance further,
take note of all the paths that you have tried. Avoid steep ravinesas,
it is not easy to locate oneslef in this topography.
Head for a high spot if you fail to identify your location. It is easier
to identify directions there 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 occur, leave the high spot until
the situation improves and go back to the high spot again and wait for
rescue.
Give out international distress signal.
(See paragraph 6.1)
5.7 Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is caused by one's inability to regulate body temperature
through transpiration at high ambient temperatures. The victim feels hot,
dizzy, uneasy and even becomes unconscious. When the temperature exceeds
40C, the victim's skin will be dry and flushed; breath and pulse rate
will increase. In some serious cases, the victim will suffer from shock.
Lower his body temperature and seek medical assistance right away.
Overheat of the body will also lead to heat exhaustion which usually occurs
when one is engaging in sports in hot humid weather, especially when one
fails to replenish his body fluid and salt lost through sweating. The
symptoms are exhaustion, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle spasm, paleness,
clammy skin, rapid but weak breath and pulse.
Safety Hints
Have good rests during the journey. Don't overwork as this would lead
to exhaustion.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Drink lots of water.
Emergency Measures
Move the victim to a cool shaded place. Remove his clothing and have him
lie down with feet elevated; give him lots of fluids if he is conscious.
Avoid the victim being surrounded by people. Continue to replenish him
with drinks and seek medical treatment right away.
If necessary, employ other body-cooling techniques like immersion in water,
wetting clothing and fanning until the symptoms disappear.
If the victim sweats heavily and convulse, serve him with salt water in
the ratio of one tea spoon of salt to one litre 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 hallucinating etc.
Safety Guidelines
Have a good sleep on the night before the journey. Don't join the journey
if you are not feeling well.
Have a nutritious meal before setting out. Have high energy food like
chocolate during the trip
Bring warm protective and rain-proof clothing and a spare set of clothes
for change.
Rest at intervals; Don't overload yourself with bulky object.
Don't overstrain to conserve energy.
Emergency Measures
Seek refuge from the rain and change wet clothes right away.
Cover your head, face, neck and body with clothing or sleeping bag to
keep warm. Take hot drinks and high calorific food to maintain body temperature.
5.9 Snakebite
Common venomous snakes in Hong Kong include banded krait, many - banded
krait, king cobra, cobra, bamboo pit viper. They are more active in spring,
summer and autumn.
Safety Guidelines
Wear long trousers and ankle boots.
Use only the maintained paths; Don't venture into new paths or walk into
overgrown area or mixed forest.
Emergency Measures
If you see a snake, keep calm and still. Let the frightened snake run
away.
Note the following in case of snakebite:
Don't cut , suck or wash the wound. Keep the victim lie down at rest.
Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Don't elevate the wound or make unnecessary movement.
If possible, apply a firm bandage to the part above the bite. If the wound
is on the limb, you may apply a broad bandage to the part above the wound.
Pacify the victim and rush him to a hospital for treatment. If possible,
identify the type, colour and band of the venomous snake. If the snake
responsible for the bite has been caught, bring it along to the hospital
so that the right antivenom can be used.
5.10 Bee Sting
Bees, hornets or wasps are not uncommon in the countryside. Be careful
not to touch their combs, this would avoid being attacked and stung by
their swarm.
Safety Guidelines
Don't venture into new paths; avoid going into bushes and ferns where
insects and wasps inhabit.
Don't disturb combs. Never strike bushes with branch or stick.
Spray insect-repellent on your body and clothes. Avoid using aromatic
body lotion
Emergency Measures
If there are only one or two hornets 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 hornets, 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 a pair of forceps. Don't
squeeze the poison 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 right away if stung seriously.
5.11 Dangerous Plants
Some common plants in the wilderness are harmful to hikers. For example
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Wax Tree - skin allergy
Prickly Ash- scratches
Wild Fruits - Poisonous; can be fatal if eaten.
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.
Always exercise extreme care when touching an unknown plant. Don't touch
the Wax tree.
Beware of thorns when gripping on a plant.
Wild fruits are similar and can be poisonous. Don't attempt to eat them
Emergency Measures
Seek immediate medical treatment if skin allergy occurs after touching
a plant or you are poisoned by wild fruit.
6. Means to Seek Help in the Wilderness
Give first aid to the injured in the mountains.
Send out continuous international distress signal (see Para. 6.1) until
the arrival of a rescue team.
If possible, at least one member should stay behind to accompany and look
after the injured while the other two should go together to seek help.
To avoid delay in rescue, the person who goes to seek help should write
down the essential information to reduce the inaccuracy of the distress
message delivered by him due to tension and his unclear verbal communication:
Essential information to be provided while seeking for help:
Nature/cause of accident
Time/location of accident
Location/Grid reference/the number of the nearest distance post (paragraph
6.2)
Terrain/special landmarks in the vicinity
Personal details of the injured including his name, age, sex, telephone
number and address
extent of injury
First aid given
Weather condition
Condition/Intention of other members
Other relevant information
International Distress Signals
Send out six long blasts within one minute; pause for one minute and repeat
the same. 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).
Ways of sending signals:
Blowing a whistle
Reflecting light with a mirror or metal sheet
Flashing with your torch light at night
Waving colourful or shiny clothes to attract attention
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.
Distance Post
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department has erected distance posts at
intervals of 500m along long-distance hiking trail such as MacLehose Trail,
Lantau Trail and Hong Kong Trail for users to identify their location.
In case of emergency, they can state their position by referring to the
number on the nearest post, thus facilitating search and rescue operation.
Emergency Call Number : 999
7. Phone numbers of country parks' offices and visitor centres
Hill Fire control centre Hot Line : 2720 0777
(A 24-hour hill fire hot line in operation during the dry season from
October to April)
Ranger Offices
(Enquiries on hiking routes during office hours)
Sai Kung 2792 3730
Hong Kong Island 2552 7907
New Territories (Central) 2427 2670
Lantau Island 2984 8191
New Territories (West) 2477 4896
New Territories (North) 2662 5015
Country Park Visitor Centres
Aberdeen Visitor Centre 2555 2179
Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre 2498 9326
Sai Kung Visitor Centre 2792 7365
Plover Cove Country Park
Visitor Centre 2665 3413
Lions Nature Education Centre2792 2234
Shing Mun Visitor Centre 2498 1362
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