Leader Ethic:
As a leader, you are responsible for the safety and well being of the group. You serve as a steward, giving people a glimpse of a wilderness experience. In addition to meeting your own needs, it is crucial that you are aware at all times of the group needs, and those of the individuals.
Risk Management:
The leaders must assess the activities and environment of the trip and determine what the environmental hazards of that trip are. This information should be communicated to the group in the form of an Environmental Briefing at the beginning of the trip, and when there is a change in activity or environment. Going outdoors and engaging in high adventure activity is inherently risky. With some forethought and common sense these risks can be mitigated.
Environmental Hazards + Human Factor = ACCIDENT POTENTIAL
Terrain Physical Condition
Weather Experience
Equipment Skills
Fear
Communication
Experience
A trip in the outdoor club should be a pleasant experience for all involved. Seek advice from people that are more knowledgeable if you are uncomfortable about any part of your activity. Also, keep in mind that many new members of the club will have spent much less time outdoors then you have. Something trip leaders take for granted such as hydration or pacing themselves will be quite foreign to them. Looking out for the newer members and making sure their experience is fun will make them more likely to come back.
Hiking Activity Guide
Group Equipment:· First aid kit
· Maps
· 2 extra water bottles – filled
· Extra warm clothes
· Water filtration / purification
· Headlamp
· Sun Screen
· Bug Spray / Personal Equipment:
· Layers of warm clothes (synthetic or wool recommended)
· Sturdy boots or tennis shoes
· Warm socks
· Glasses with strap
· Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
· Food, snacks
· 2 quarts of water
· Rain gear
General Activity Guidelines (To be discussed with group):
· Stay with buddy or with group at all times
· Do not boulder or scramble on rocks higher than your head
· Drink water frequently, even in cold weather
· Have regular group rest breaks
· Identify a lead and sweep hiker
· Know your limits. Take breaks when you have to.
· Leave everything as you find it – pack it in, pack it out
· Dispose of human waste 200 ft from trail, water source, or human structure.
· Avoid feeding wildlife
· Hike single file on trail. Only hike abreast when trail is wide enough. Hiking along the edge of the trail increases erosion and impact
· Never cut switchbacks
· Spread out when hiking off trail and take rest breaks on durable surfaces such as rocks, leaves, pine needles, sand.
Steps to Reduce Accident Potential:
· Identify a lead and sweep person with hiking experience
· Encourage participants to put on / remove layers as necessary
· Encourage participants to drink water
· Train participants in what to do if they get lost
· Occasionally regroup when participants with different abilities get separated.
Caving Activity Guide
Group Equipment:· First aid kit
· Two extra flashlights
· 6 AA batteries for headlights
· 2 extra bulbs
· Candles with waterproof matches or lightstick
· Extra warm clothing
· 1 extra water bottle – filled
· Snacks / Personal Equipment:
· Coveralls or durable outer clothing (that can get muddy)
· Warm clothing underneath outer layers (synthetic or wool recommended)
· Boots or tennis shoes
· Warm socks
· Glasses with straps
· Gloves (optional but recommended)
· Knee pads (optional)
· Food, snacks
· 2 quarts of water
· Helmet and lamp
· Extra flashlight
· Clothes and towel for ride home
General Activity Guidelines (To be discussed with group):
· Never go caving alone. Stay with group at all times.
· Wear a helmet with light source attached
· Carry 3 sources of light
· Always sign out – leave word about departure and arrival times
· Stay put if your lights fail
· Never jump
· Know your limits. Take breaks when needed
· Panic is your worst enemy if lost or stuck
· Always have 3 points of body contact while climbing or descending
· Avoid descending face first
· If you are having trouble or get stuck, take a deep breath and call leader for help.
· Avoid shining your light in someone’s face
· Wear gloves, especially if you have contact lenses
· Do not touch cave formations or bats.
Steps to Reduce Accident Potential:
· Be aware of recent rainfall to anticipate wetness/flooding
· Prepare for outside weather even though going into cave
· Make sure everyone has 2 working light sources
· Properly train participants in cave travel techniques and potential hazards
Canoeing Activity Guide
Group Equipment:· First aid kit
· Throw rope
· 2 dry bags
· Maps
· Extra paddle
· 2 extra water bottles – filled
· Extra warm clothes
· PFD’s / Personal Equipment:
· Clothes you can get wet – quick drying is preferred
· Warm clothing in case of cool weather (synthetic or wool recommended)
· Closed toe river shoes that can get wet
· Warm socks
· Glasses with strap
· Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
· Food, snacks
· 2 quarts of water
· Dry clothes and towel for ride home
· Rain gear
General Activities Guideline (To be discussed with droup):
· Wear a lifejacket at all times
· Do not stand up in moving water
· Scout all rapids
· Have a group method of river communication
· Stay in sight and shouting distance of at least 2 other boats
· Identify a lead and sweep boat with experienced canoeists
· Never dive from canoe or off rocks
· Know your limits – Take breaks when you need to
· Float with your feet up and facing downstream
· Kneel on the bottom of your boat instead of sitting to lower your center of gravity
· If about to hit a rock, lean into the rock to avoid swamping
Steps to Reduce Accident Potential:
· Allow group to practice techniques in flat water
· Pair an inexperienced boater with an experienced one
· Scout any rapid you’re unfamiliar with or unsure of
· Properly train participants in how to read the river
· Properly train participants in what to do if they fall out
Backpacking Activity Guide
Group Equipment:· First aid kit
· Maps
· 2 extra water bottles
· Extra warm clothes
· Water filtration / purification
· Water bag
· Bear ropes
· Stove and fuel
· Cook kit and eating utensils
· Parachute cord
· Duct tape
· Matches / lighter
· Garbage bags and ziplocks
Toilet paper and trowel / Personal Equipment:
· Layers of warm clothes (synthetic or wool recommended)
· Long underwear
· Comfortable hiking clothes, synthetic if possible
· Sturdy boots and camp shoes
· 2 – 4 pairs of socks
· Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
· Food, snacks
· 2 quarts of water
· Rain gear
· Sleeping bag and pad
· Tent
· Eating utensils
· Toiletries – Toothbrush / paste, aspirin / ibuprofen, moleskin
· Winter hat
· Backpack and pack cover
· Flashlight / Headlamp
· Pocketknife
General Activities Guideline (To be discussed with group):
· Stay with buddy or group at all times
· Do not boulder or scramble on rocks higher than your head
· Drink water frequently, even in cold weather
· Have regular group rest breaks
· Identify a lead and sweep hiker
· Know your limits, take breaks when necessary
· Leave everything as you find it. Pack it in, pack it out
· Dispose of human waste 200 feet from trail, water source, or human structure.
· Avoid feeding wildlife
· Hike single file on trail. Only hike abreast when trail is wide enough. Hiking along the edge of the trail increases erosion and impact
· Never cut switchbacks
· Spread out when hiking off trail
· Camp and take rest breaks on durable surfaces such as rocks, dead leaves, pine needles, sand
· Watch for widowmakers and water runoff when choosing campsites
· Packs should be between 25 and 35 pounds
· “An ounce in your pack is a pound on your back”. Take only what you need
· Pack toiletries in small containers
· Put new batteries in lights before heading out rather than carrying extra batteries with you
· The only eating utensils needed are a cup, bowl, and spoon. Pocket knife functions as butter knife if need be
· Pack clothing in waterproof or ziplock bags. This gives added protection against wet gear.
· Bring partial roll of toilet paper
· A pillow is not necessary. A t-shirt stuffed with clothing will suffice
· Take a small flashlight
· 5 or so feet of duct tape rolled around a water bottle is good for tears or other backcountry repairs
· Dish soap isn’t necessary and can give you the runs if you don’t rinse properly. It works to simply wipe your dishes spotless and dip them in boiling water next time you cook to sterilize them.
· Avoid cotton clothes. If you don’t own synthetic clothing, then bring extra clothes so you always have something dry
Steps to Reduce Accident Potential:
· Identify a lead and sweep person with experience
· Encourage participants to put on / remove layers as necessary
· Encourage participants to drink water
· Properly train participants in what to do if they get lost
· Encourage participants to treat blisters as soon as possible
Mountain Biking Activity Guide
Group Equipment:· First aid kit
· Maps
· Extra snacks
· 1 extra water bottles – filled
· Bike Repair Kit / Personal Equipment:
· Water Bottle
· Mountain Bike
· Wind resistant outer shell
· Gloves (optional)
· Small Daypack
· Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
· Food, snacks
General Activities Guideline (To be discussed with group):
· Ride on open trails only
· Always wear a helmet
· Do not bike in wilderness area
· Drink water frequently, even in cold weather
· Ride on durable surfaces
· Know your limits, take breaks when necessary
· Leave everything as you find it. Pack it in, pack it out
· Do not cut switchbacks
· Control your bicycle
· Slow down, give a signal, or yield when encountering hikers
· Yield to horses, pass only when the rider signals that it is okay
Steps to Reduce Accident Potential:
· Encourage participants to put on / remove layers as necessary
· Encourage participants to drink water
· Encourage participants to speak up if uncomfortable or tired
· Teach participants how to anticipate trail hazards