The BMC said wearing a helmet was an individual choice

The British Mountaineering Council is asking climbers to use their heads and give some thought to wearing a helmet.

The council, which represents climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers in England and Wales, said the decision on whether to wear the protection is a personal one – which the Manchester-based body is encouraging climbers to consider.

The BMC said: “The aim of the campaign is to challenge views on helmets, and to encourage you to re-examine your reasons for wearing one or not.

“Deciding on which risks are personally acceptable is at the fundamental core of climbing and mountaineering. Whether to wear a helmet or not is one of those choices only the individual can make.

“The BMC aims to make that choice an informed one, by giving the latest advice and information on how helmets work and what risks they can help protect against.”

The campaign will include thought-provoking articles on the BMC website and in its Summit magazine with interviews of famous and not-so-famous climbers to canvas some opinions and experiences of helmet wearing and head injury.

Chief executive Dave Turnbull said: “We encourage you to think carefully, weigh up the risks, and make your own decisions.

“This campaign is part of our ongoing safety and good practice work and we hope by raising awareness that people will be better informed to make their own choices over whether or not to wear a helmet.”

The council has also produced a free-to-download helmet guide and a short film including interviews with climbers about attitudes to wearing helmets which will be out soon.

It is also working on promotions and partnerships including prize competitions and special offers and it says it is open to hearing from companies and organisations who would like to get involved in the campaign.

Already taking part are the Epicentre store in Ambleside which is running special offers and prize competitions; Petzl is also supporting the campaign through distributor Lyon Equipment and is currently running a Facebook competition with chances to win Petzl helmets, and the latest issue of the BMC’s Summit magazine will offer the chance to win a Wild Country helmet in exchange for the best helmet story.

More information is available on the BMC website.