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Plan & prepare

Safety is your responsibility

In this section:

Safety in the outdoors

Outdoor Safety Code

1. Plan your trip

Seek local knowledge and plan the route you will take and the amount of time you can reasonably expect it to take.

Find out how to plan your trip - MSC website

2. Tell someone

Tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned.

Telling somebody is about the Outdoors Intentions process: the way that visitors leave information with others about their intended trip into the outdoors and return time.

Find out how to tell someone your plans - MSC website

3. Be aware of the weather

New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the forecast and expect weather changes.

As well being aware of the weather you need be avalanche alert as they can occur in any season. You need to understand the risks before you visit avalanche-prone country.

Find out how be aware of the weather - MSC website

4. Know your limits

Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience.

Find out how to know your limits - MSC website

5. Take sufficient supplies

Make sure you have enough food, clothing, equipment and emergency rations for the worst-case scenario. Take an appropriate means of communication.

Find out what are sufficient supplies - MSC website

About the Outdoor Safety Code

The Outdoor Safety Code is a whole of New Zealand approach to outdoor safety.

The group backing the Outdoor Safety Code includes: Department of Conservation, NZSAR Council, Mountain Safety Council, LandSAR (Land Search and Rescue), the Police, Tourism New Zealand, ACC, Tourism Industry Association (TIA), SPARC, and the Walking Access Commission.

Since the Outdoor Safety Code was developed, the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council (NZSAR) has collaborated with other sectors to produce further codes including: