Before You Head Out - Making an Emergency Information Card

However well your plan is, you can never stop the inevitable. So planning for an emergency is important whether you head out for a few hours or several days. Most people might laugh at the prospect of making an ID card and wearing it in the wild. But if you think of it, even a small sprain is enough to get you stranded or even lost.

In every emergency situation there are two factors at work, the rescuer at one end and the victim at the other. The Emergency Information Card contains important details such as name, blood group, trekking route etc. With the help of the Emergency Information Card, the rescuer will be able to track us and be more prepared to face the situation.

The card is actually a sheet of paper, folded and secured in a waterproof cover or zip-lock. It should be worn on your person at all times. Here is a sample copy of how it looks.

Name:- Harnord Cain	Date of Birth:- 07-11-1986	Height:- 178 cm Weight:- 78kg
Voter’s card /Passport no. XXXXXXXXXX	Driver’s license no. XXXXXXXXXXX		Medication:- Paracetamol tab
Distinguishing marks:- Black mole on right knee Linear scar on left forearm	Languages spoken:- Malayalam-native English-fluent Tamil-basic		Allergies:- Dust/Amoxicillin
Experience:- Swimmer Undertaken Level 6 rafting training	Next to kin:- Father: Address: Telephone: Mail id:		Next to kin:- Brother: Address: Telephone: Mail id:
My mobile:- XXXXXXXXXX My email:- Travel agent’s no:- Contact’s no:-

Overleaf

Trip details:- Day 1:- Madikeri – Vanachalur – Kalur(stay) Day 2:- Kalur – Mukkudlu(stay) Day 3:- Mukkudlu – Kottabetta – Madikeri Chances of phone reception very weak en route. Will call home at night on Day 2 when I reach Mukkudlu.

Date: 4-7-10

Keep few copies of the same. Give one to family members or near ones and another to the forest officials or any other authority. This is especially important in solo expeditions.

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