Mountain Rescue Awareness Day Highlights Importance of Preparation as Teams Face Growing Demand

Yesterday marked Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, a nationwide campaign held each year on the day the clocks go back. The initiative, supported by the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA) and other rescue organisations across the UK, aims to raise public awareness of the vital work done by mountain rescue volunteers — and to remind outdoor enthusiasts to plan and prepare carefully before heading out.

Growing Demand on Volunteer Teams

Mountain rescue teams across Wales and the wider UK are entirely made up of volunteers who dedicate their time to saving lives. Despite being unpaid, they train extensively and rely heavily on donations and community fundraising to maintain their equipment and operations.

As more people take to the hills and mountains to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of nature, the number of call-outs has been steadily increasing. North Wales, with its spectacular landscapes and busy national parks, remains one of the busiest mountain rescue regions in the UK.

Safety Messages as Winter Approaches

With the end of British Summer Time bringing shorter days and earlier nightfall, NWMRA used the awareness day to encourage walkers and climbers to take simple but crucial safety precautions.
These include:

• Setting out earlier to ensure return before dark.

• Planning routes carefully, factoring in rest and photo stops.

• Carrying essentials such as a head torch, phone power bank, warm clothing, food, and water.

• Checking weather forecasts for both the base and summit before setting off.

A significant proportion of rescues stem from inadequate preparation, and teams are urging visitors to think ahead — especially as call-outs can take time. Because responders are volunteers, they may be at work or with family when a rescue is initiated, meaning help can take hours to arrive.

“Be Prepared Before You Set Out”

NWMRA Chair, Andy Harbach, said:

“Our members spend a lot of time training and fundraising to provide a professional-level mountain rescue service. We’re grateful to the public, local businesses and communities for their continued support.

As the clocks go back, it’s important to remember that it now gets dark an hour earlier. By setting out earlier and packing a head torch, you can reduce the risk of needing assistance and help keep our volunteer teams available for genuine emergencies.”

Supporting Mountain Rescue

To mark Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, NWMRA has released this series of short videos explaining the work of its member teams, how to stay safe outdoors, and how the public can help by supporting local fundraising efforts.

The association includes nine rescue organisations across North Wales:
Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Môn-SAR Lowland Search and Rescue, North East Wales Search and Rescue, North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, SARDA Wales (Search and Rescue Dog Association), and South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team.

For more information, visit the NWMRA media page.

Sources:

• North Wales Mountain Rescue Association – www.nwmra.org

Image:

• Snowdonia in Winter by Deposit Photos