Safe Scouting: What to do in an emergency

In an emergency, follow these steps and guidance

Step 1: Assess the danger to yourself and others

Before you help anyone, you’ve got to make sure you’re safe. If needed, stop the activity to prevent further harm.

Where are we?

• Is there something dangerous nearby?
• Do we need to move people to a safer place first?

What’s dangerous?

• Are there any hidden dangers? For example, broken glass, or something slippery?
• Are there other things that could hurt you or anyone else trying to help? 

Step 2: Assess/Administer first aid

• Do you need extra help or expertise?
  • If yes, raise the alarm and get help. 
  • Continue to administer first aid as appropriate. 
• Prioritise casualty care based on injuries.
• Try to note down what you do, if possible, including times.

Step 3: Raise the alarm and get help

• Contact the emergency services for help as soon as possible. Gather details to share with them.
• Find out your exact location (#W3W/OS Grid Ref), who you are with (including numbers), and get someone to guide emergency services to you.

Step 4: Keep everyone safe, well, and updated

• Look after yourself.
• Keep focused on the other people and their safety and wellbeing. Work together with your team to do this.
• Keep emergency services and your designated InTouch contact* updated on any developments, including when the situation has been resolved.

* This could be your emergency contact for international trips, your Group or District Lead Volunteer, or a pre-arranged third-party individual.

Step 5: Reporting

• Call UK Headquarters as described for incidents shown overleaf. 
  Inform and report to your Group/District Lead Volunteer using your local reporting processes.
• Report to UK Headquarters at the earliest opportunity for near misses and reportable incidents – scouts.org.uk/safetyreporting.
• Notify external agencies as soon as possible (supported by UK Headquarters) about the incident, where applicable.

Key points

• Do keep a record of any actions and communications, including details of others who may have seen what happened.
• Do keep calm and ask for support where needed. Don’t try to handle things on your own.
• If appropriate, take pictures of the location sensitively to help record what happened. This will help you remember the details and assist with learning.
• Don’t be concerned about establishing fault.
• Do refer all news and social media posts to the UK Duty Officer and seek support before talking to the media by calling UK Headquarters.
• Don’t initiate contact with the news media or post on social media (and discourage others from doing so).
• For any Safeguarding concerns, follow the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card).

Local reporting and what to do

• Inform your Lead Volunteer. Get in touch with your Group or District Lead Volunteer as soon as possible.
• Record what happened. Record the key facts clearly and accurately. Write them down or take photos or videos, if appropriate.
• Keep the records safe. They may be used to support safety learning reviews or be requested after the incident.