SUHC - Club Rules

Club Rules

The Committee shall ensure that the club owns and maintains all equipment deemed necessary for the safe functioning of the club.
A logbook should be maintained containing an inventory of club equipment and a record of its use, particularly as regards ropes.
All members should be made aware of the risks inherent in any club activities.
On away trips and day walks a competent leader (see Appendix I) should lead all parties.
All parties should not consist of less than 4 individuals or less than one competent leader per ten individuals, except in the case of accidents or emergencies.
All members shall exercise reasonable judgement into their ability to undertake the activity and should take all appropriate equipment. (See Appendix II)
All members should behave in a respectable manner towards all other party members, onlookers and the environment.
All members should express any concern for the activity to the party leader before attempting activity.
No Club member should expose themselves, or any other member, to risk without the prior discussion with the Athletic Union Student Activities Coordinator.
No club member is to be forced into a situation in which they feel uncomfortable or at risk.

Appendix 1: Competent leaders

A competent leader must be appointed by the committee or by an experienced member of the club chosen by the committee.
He/she must be able to demonstrate that they:
i. are a competent navigator;
ii. are able to plan a route suitable to the group they are leading;
iii. Have knowledge of their legal and moral responsibility to the group they are leading and to other hill users;
iv. Show a knowledge of and be able to use the basic equipment which is appropriate to the expedition which is planned;
v. Show a knowledge of accident and emergency procedures as shown is "Safety in The Mountains"
vi. Have a good basic knowledge of mountain first aid techniques;
vii. Have experience in the hills and at leading groups of novices (N.B. It is recommended that any potential leaders read 'Mountaincraft and Leadership' by Eric Langmuir for a good synthesis of the above).
It is the responsibility of the leader to see that the members of the party are properly equipped (as suggested in Appendix III) and are physically fit enough for the walk being undertaken.
It is the responsibility of the leader to ensure that the correct communal equipment is taken as detailed in Appendix II.

Appendix II: Communal equipment

Summer/low level:
Maps 1:10
Compass 1:10
Survival bag 1:10
First Aid kit (Lifesystems mountain kit, or equivalent)
Emergency rations
Winter/high level:
Maps 1:5
Compass 1:5
Whistle 1:2
Survival bag 1:2
Torch + Batteries 1:5
First Aid kit (Lifesystems mountain kit, or equivalent)
Strobe
Emergency rations
Emergency shelter
*Rope (at least 8mm and 25m length)
*Ice axes
Also (Optional)
Sleeping bag/duvet jacket (per leader)
Thermos
Spare gloves
Tent
* To be carried by leader and/or group members when deemed necessary by event leader (or where concern is raised and assessed by a club member) taking into account terrain and weather conditions.

Appendix III: Personal Equipment

Summer/Low level:
Day Rations
Water
Boots
Walking Socks
Trousers (not jeans)
Shirt
Sweater/Fleece + spare
Waterproof
Rucsac
Winter/high level:
Day rations
Boots
Walking socks
Trousers
Shirt
Underclothes/ thermals
2 sweaters/ fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Warm Hat (not a baseball cap)
Gloves (+ overmitts?)
Personal first aid kit (preferably)
Water/ hot drink
Rucsac
Members of a party should be encouraged to bring along mobile phones if they own them, but this is not to be considered necessary equipment for either day walks or away trips. Generally if a higher level quality of equipment will be required, it is the responsibility of the leader to judge this.

Southampton University Hillwalking Club

Club Rules

Appendix 1: Competent leaders

Appendix II: Communal equipment

Appendix III: Personal Equipment