The default position for UK orienteering events is that participants may carry mobile phones for use in an emergency, and many clubs actively encourage runners to do so. So, when and how can we use our mobile phones to keep us safe out on the course?
“Competitors may carry a mobile phone, if not forbidden, but only for use in an emergency”. [British Orienteering Rules of Orienteering 2025 section 8.6]
(Normally, the only UK events where carrying a phone is forbidden are World Ranking Events or World Championships being run under IOF rules, where communication devices are forbidden.)
Running with a phone allows you to seek emergency help for yourself or others in a timely fashion. You might also like to consider doing the following in advance:
- Setting up your phone ICE number and emergency details.
- Adding the club/event emergency number to your phone contacts list.
- Registering your phone with the UK 999 text service (https://www.emergencysms.net) in case reception quality allows texts but not voice calls.
- Download the What3Words app and the free version of the OS Maps app to allow an exact location to be given in an emergency call.
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