Twin Peaks Bike Park Emergency Procedures

Injuries and medical emergencies

Mountain biking, trail running and hiking all hold inherent risks. Accidents and medical emergencies may happen out on the trails.

In the event of an injury or other medical emergency:

1. Call 119 immediately
   1. If you or someone you encounter on trail is injured or experiencing a medical emergency requiring urgent medical attention, call emergency authorities immediately via 119. Be prepared to provide emergency authorities with location information (see 1.2).
   2. Do not move the injured person unless they are in immediate danger.
2. Provide Location Information
   1. Clearly and calmly inform emergency authorities that the accident has occurred within the Twin Peaks Bike Park.
   2. Inform the authorities of the precise location of the incident using a combination of GPS apps (available on your mobile phone on apps such as Trailforks), Twin Peaks trail names, and Twin Peaks location markers.
3. Administer First Aid
   1. If you have first aid training, and if it is safe to do so, administer first aid to the affected person including application of pressure to stop bleeding, immobilization of fractures.
   2. Check for responsiveness and breathing. If the affected person is unconscious, and if you are trained to do so, perform CPR.
4. Alert Others
   1. Use a whistle, your voice and/or your phone to call for help.
   2. If your party size is large enough to do so, position another member of your group up the trail to alert other trail users of the accident scene. If your group size is not conducive to this, consider placing a bicycle, backpack or other obstacle on trail to alert other riders of the accident. Do so in an area which has high visibility and provides other trail users with ample time to stop.
5. Stay with the Injured Person
   1. Remain with the injured person until professional help arrives. Keep them calm and reassured.
6. Additional tips
   1. Always carry a basic first aid kit, and know how to use it. Familiarise yourself with wilderness first aid procedures. Obtaining first aid training is strongly recommended.
   2. Communicate your trail plans to friends and family before you hit the trail. Provide them with an estimated return time, and instruct them to search for you should you not return on time.
   3. Staying calm in an emergency will help you think clearly, and will help you provide better assistance to the injured party.

After the situation is under control, please submit a voluntary incident report to NAMBA via incidents@namba.ngo.

Fire emergencies

Twin Peaks is in a preservation forest. Smoking and open flames are prohibited, but fires can start from natural causes.

In the event of a fire:

1. Call 119 Immediately
   1. If you notice a fire, call 119 and report it to the authorities without delay. Be prepared to provide emergency authorities with location information (see 2.2).
   2. Follow any instructions from emergency services and park management.
2. Provide Location Information
   1. Clearly and calmly inform emergency authorities that the accident has occurred within the Twin Peaks Bike Park.
   2. Inform the authorities of the precise location of the fire using a combination of GPS apps (available on your mobile phone on apps such as Trailforks), Twin Peaks trail names, and Twin Peaks location markers.
3. Evacuate the Area
   1. Evacuate the area in a calm and orderly manner to the closest park exit at the bottom of the mountain. Move to a safe place as quickly as possible in a safe manner.
   2. Should you encounter others, inform them of the fire and instruct them to evacuate the park.
4. Use Fire Retardants
   1. If it is safe to do so, and you are trained in their use, use a fire extinguisher or other fire retardant to attempt to control the fire. Do NOT attempt to fight the fire if there is danger of injury, or if you have been instructed to evacuate by authorities.
5. Additional tips:
   1. Familiarise yourself with the park, its exits and any emergency facilities.
   2. Communicate with others to notify them of the fire. Ensure that they are aware of the need for evacuation.
   3. Stay calm. Help prevent panic, and ensure a safer evacuation for everyone.
   4. Monitor conditions, keeping an eye on wind direction, wind speed and other factors. These can affect the fire’s behaviour, direction and strength – be prepared to change your evacuation route accordingly.

Missing person

Twin Peaks is a large forest area between Grand Hirafu and Niseko Hanazono. Familiarise yourself with the park using the on-trail maps, signage, and apps like Trailforks before you ride. People can still get lost out there.

In the event of a missing person:

1. Contact Authorities Immediately
   1. If someone is lost or missing, contact emergency services by telephoning 119 without delay. Follow their instructions.
   2. Provide a detailed description of the missing person, including any distinguishing features.
   3. Inform the authorities of the last known location of the missing person using a combination of GPS apps (available on your mobile phone on apps such as Trailforks), Twin Peaks trail names, and Twin Peaks location markers.
2. Initiate Search and Rescue
   1. If you are confident in your ability, initiate a speedy search along existing trails within the area where you think the person went missing. Rescue authorities will initiate search and rescue procedures based on the information provided on their arrival. Provide assistance to authorities as requested.
3. Additional Tips
   1. Stay calm. Keeping calm can help you provide clear and accurate information to authorities.
   2. Use any recent photos you may have taken of the missing person, and try to provide additional information such as clothing they’re wearing, age, height, weight and any identifying information such as tattoos, piercings, scars, hairstyle, etc.
   3. Inform others, including park visitors, park staff and others to increase awareness and help expand the search.

Natural disasters

Japan is seismically and volcanically active. Severe weather and natural events can happen with little warning.

Follow these steps to ensure safety in the event of natural disaster or severe weather:

1. Evacuate the Park Immediately
   1. In the event of severe weather, such as lightning, heavy rain or strong winds, evacuate the park without delay.
   2. If evacuation is unsafe, shelter in place. Move to a safe area and consider the risks unique to the current weather phenomena. In high winds or lightning, avoid sheltering under trees. In heavy rain, avoid areas which may flood or landslide.
   3. Be mindful of dead trees, dead limbs and any other objects which pose injury risk from falling.
2. Follow Instructions From Authorities
   1. Check the news, and check for alerts on your phone, and follow any instructions provided by relevant authorities and/or by park management.
3. Additional Tips
   1. Before heading into the park, check the weather forecast. If the forecast calls for high winds, lightning or severe rains, consider making alternative plans.
   2. In the event of disaster, monitor conditions – be prepared to change your evacuation route accordingly.

Wildlife encounter

The Twin Peaks forest is home to bears, deer, foxes, and other wildlife. You can encounter them out on the trails.

Use a bear bell or bike bell to signal your presence. Most animals will move off the trail if they hear you coming.

Follow these steps to ensure safety in the event of a wildlife encounter:

1. Do Not Approach Wildlife
   1. If you encounter wildlife, maintain a safe distance. Do not approach, feed, or disturb them.
   2. Observe animals quietly and avoid making sudden movements or loud noises which may startle them.
2. Bear Encounters
   1. If you encounter a bear, back away slowly while facing the bear. Do not turn your back to the bear, or run from the bear.
   2. Make yourself appear larger by standing tall, raising your arms and holding your jacket open and/or holding your bike above your head. If available, equip your bear spray and be prepared to use it.
   3. Check your surroundings for bear cubs – you must NEVER get between a sow and her cubs, or approach bear cubs.
   4. Continue to back away from the bear until you are at a safe distance.
3. Protecting Yourself During a Bear Attack
   1. Protect vital areas, covering your head, neck and vital organs with your arms and hands to protect against bites and scratches.
   2. Use available objects to defend and/or shield yourself, such as your bicycle, branches, rocks or a backpack.
   3. If fighting back, aim for the eyes and nose.
   4. If playing dead, remain still until the bear no longer perceives you as a threat and leaves the area.
4. Additional tips
   1. Carry a bear bell, and consider making intermittent noise (such as clapping) to alert any wildlife to your presence.
   2. Equip yourself with bear spray and know how to use it.
   3. Never litter – including apple cores and other biodegradable food waste. Littering will attract bears and other wildlife.
   4. Familiarise yourself with the types of wildlife in the park, and learn about their behaviour and any safety protocols to take in the event of an encounter.
   5. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat or fresh marks on trees – all signs of wildlife activity in the area.
   6. Travel in groups when possible, as wildlife encounters are less likely to occur when traveling in large numbers.