The Cave Rescue Organisation is one of three teams that carry out rescues both above and below ground

Help is on the cards for stricken walkers in the Yorkshire Dales.

Three volunteer rescue organisations have teamed up to produce a card detailing how to call help when there is an accident needing fell rescuers or cave rescue. The move aims to remind outdoor enthusiasts and other visitors to the Dales to ask for the police first when ringing 999, rather than the other emergency services.

Three of Yorkshire’s rescue teams – Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, the Cave Rescue Organisation and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team – conduct searches and rescues both on the hills and below ground in the caves of the Dales. In the case of a remote accident, or when someone is missing or overdue, it is important that the correct services are mobilised.

Rae Lonsdale, a duty controller for the CRO, said: “Seasoned outdoors people know that when you ring 999 for a rescue team, you should ask for ‘police’, then ask them for mountain or cave rescue.

“Often, in that fraught time immediately after an accident, less experienced people can ask for an ambulance, without thinking – and sometimes without telling the ambulance service dispatcher about the remoteness or inaccessibility of the site where help is needed.  So, we’ve published advice on a card that folds to credit-card size and fits easily into a wallet or the first-aid kit that every party should carry.”

The three teams aim to put posters and dispensers for the cards in more than 300 locations throughout the Dales, from retailers to accommodation providers and information centres.

Mr Lonsdale, who has been working on the scheme, continued: “Essentially, the message is that if you need help beyond the road network, you probably need a rescue team.

“In that case, call 999, ask for ‘police’ and ask them for ‘mountain rescue’ or ‘cave rescue’ – the effect is the same. If using a mobile, it is helpful to say which county you are in, as 999 operators may not have an intimate knowledge of rural England and calls from high points may go some miles to reach a phone mast.

“If you have a map, it is important to give both grid reference and a verbal description of where you are, as numbers alone may easily be mis-heard. After that, answer any other questions and stay by the phone and where you have a signal and keep the line clear so you can be called back.”

Chris Booth, UWFRA chairman said “The campaign has been given a great welcome by supportive retailers and a good example is an outdoor shop in Grassington which puts a card in with every purchase.

“However, this is just the first phase of the campaign. As well as search and rescue, above and below ground, all three teams have safety education included in their charitable purposes. The amount of information that will fit on the card is of course limited, so the next step will be to provide links from each team’s website to additional sites for sources of safety advice or providers of outdoor training.”

North Yorkshire Police and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority are both backing the scheme.

Assistant Chief Constable Sue Cross said: “This really is an excellent initiative and we are most pleased to join the Yorkshire Dales National Parks Authority and the Dales business community in giving it our practical support.

“Along with our partners in the other emergency services, we greatly appreciate the support of all the five volunteer search and rescue teams in North Yorkshire. In particular, I would like to thank the three teams involved in this campaign.

“All the teams do a fantastic job; they are always there when we need them, often turning out in the most dreadful of conditions and always providing a highly professional support service.

“The campaign will most certainly help to save lives and the combined support it is already receiving will ensure it becomes a permanent part of everyday life in the Dales.”

The CRO provides cover in Malhamdale, the Three Peaks and into Cumbria and Lancashire; UWFRA covers Wharfedale, Littondale, Nidderdale and part of Airedale and the Swaledale team covers Wensleydale, Swaledale and the rest of Richmondshire.