All responsible units carry a first aid kit during outdoor activities. This is part of a group’s “duty of care”. Knowing how to use a first aid kit’s contents is part of a unit’s “standard of care”. However, the concepts
Who has supervisory authority over a high adventure crew?
In this story regarding a near-tragedy during a 2015 Northern Tier canoe trek, it is stated that the Northern Tier “guide” made a mistake by taking the crew too close to a waterfall, with the entire crew ultimately being swept
Do nothing in haste . . .
“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think
Wilderness first aid, CPR, BSA high adventure, and the standard of care
Being able to provide reasonable medical care during an outdoor activity is one aspect of meeting the standard of care toward the participants, Scouts or adults. BSA deals with this issue by requiring minimum medical certification standards for those attending
Questions to ask about your outdoor program!
Cathye Haddock, author of “Managing Risks in Outdoor Activities”, New Zealand Mountain Safety Manual 27, pp. 91-93, 1993, suggests that administrators of outdoor education programs should address a number of areas of inquiry to ensure that their programs are well-planned
Weather “trigger points” . . . use them!
Weather is a primary risk factor to be addressed. As some say, “WEATHER RULES“! One way to address the risk associated with weather is to employ pre-determined weather “trigger points” which may be cause to put “Plan B” into effect
What is ”Qualified Supervision”?
One of BSA’s Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety is “Qualified Supervision”. The Sweet Sixteen’s ”Qualified Supervision” and “Discipline” form the bread of BSA’s “Safety Sandwich”, with the meat of the sandwich being the activity-specific rules for each activity (Safe Swim Defense,