Safety

  • Orienteering is an adventure sport – you are primarily responsible for your own safety when taking part in this event. Competitors are reminded that orienteering takes place on rough, uneven, slippery terrain, may involve steep ascents and descents, and routes can be in close proximity to cliffs and water.
  • The safety of other competitors is more important than your own run – if you realise that a fellow competitor is in difficulty then please assist them.
  • In view of the exposed nature of the terrain, a policy of NO WHISTLE NO GO will be strictly enforced. The internationally recognised distress signal is 6 blasts of the whistle with a 1 minute break and then repeated. The reply is 3 blasts with the same pause.
  • Competitors are reminded that weather conditions at the time you start are no guarantee of the conditions later on. The prevailing weather at the start will often be different to the weather encountered on the course.
  • A decision on rain jackets (cagoules) will be taken on the morning of the event based on the prevailing weather conditions. If rain jackets must be carried a notice will be posted in the GAA clubhouse or on the way to the start. Competitors will be disqualified if they do not have their rain jacket at the finish.
  • All starters will be recorded by a start official. All finishers will be recorded on an electronic timing system – if you do not report to the download station you will be assumed to be lost or injured and the event’s rescue procedures will be invoked. You may be liable for the cost of an unnecessary search.
  • If you have traveled to the event alone please leave your name on the safety list in the GAA clubhouse and cross your name off the list when you finish.
  • Ajax Orienteering Club will maintain an incident log at the event.
  • Local Gardaí and Mountain rescue will be informed that the event is taking place.
  • There will be first aid available at the GAA clubhouse.
  • Ajax orienteering club reserves the right to refuse to allow any competitor to start and to ask any competitor to retire from the event immediately.
  • Please note that portions of the route to the start and the return from the finish are along public roads. Please exercise care in walking along or crossing these roads. Juniors may need to be accompanied.