OUTDOOR RECREATION EXCURSION SAFETY MANAGEMENT

ACTIVITY: Bush walking LOCATION: Mt Anne Circuit, Tasmania DATE/S: 2/11/13 - 12/11/13 TIME DUE 6pm BACK STAFF IN CHARGE Andrew Davis OTHER STAFF Jayd Wieland, Tim Wallis

NUMBER OF 12 (inlcuding SESSION/S 11 days PARTICIPANTS leaders) USEFUL CONTACTS Critical Incident Contact General Emergency Staff Members: Managers Contacts at Location Other Useful Numbers 24hr (CIC#1-2) Services Andrew: 0429 818 Damien: 6023 6592 Les: 6027 1480 Ambo: 000 or 112 Police: Maydena Police Cooks bus: 0411 274 511 581 Jayd: 0421 162 m.0423 609361, m.0409 907694, Poison: 131 126 Station, 33 Junee Road, 584 Ben Wilson 6051 9850 Donna: 6021 4473 Nurse on-call Maydena TAS 7140, (03) Sat Ph: m.0408 406 247 m.0466 004610, 1300 60 60 24 6288 3030. Medical: Derwent Valley Medical Centre, 11 Burnett Street, New Norfolk TAS 7140, (03) 6261 1399. Ranger: 66 Lake Dobson Road, National Park TAS 7140, (03) 6288 1283. Land owner: USEFUL INFORMATION PARTICIPANTS PROCEDURES IN A CRITICAL INCIDENT (see below) Philippa Vile #0407624618 Gemma Umbers #0427637890 Jake Sanders #0476145627 Chris Cahill #0489674888 Hayden Koschitzke #0427656244 Angela Young #0412345666 Jayd Wieland #0489777353 Tim Wallis #0400895423 Kit Murray #0422354719 Nic U'Ren #0478212673 Gabriel Moreta #0499505200 Daniel Mackie #0490189202 Kristian Cargill #0477332109 Andrew Davis #0499578332 (Attach Health Summary list)

VEHICLE ACCESS

WEATHER

ACCOMODATION AAS GUIDELINES QUAL/ RATIO SPECIFIC ISSUES TO THIS ACTIVITY

Start the hike from Condominium Creek car-park about 21 km south along the Scotts Peak Road. Leave a vehicle/mini bus here. There is limited emergency vehicle access due to treacherous terrain and lack of roads through the southwest national park. During November the weather can be unpredictable with temperatures ranging from 0C-26C. Be prepared for rain and snow, as well as mild sunny weather. Camping in tents with huts for shelter if needed in some locations. 1:6 (leaders:participants) for overnight walks Be aware of participants fatiguing towards the end of the trip as it is 6 nights camping out, and they may start to get tired, sick, or loose concentration.

Severity 1: Can manage situation on-site: no external help required. Treat/ repair and monitor for any worsening developments. Contingency plan may need to be considered Severity 2: External help required: such as non urgent evac, etc. Assess and treat situation. Notify CIC to arrange hospital or home evac as soon as practical and notify NOK. Monitor and reassure patient. May need to consider a contingency plan for remainder of group. Severity 3: Life threatening: Assess and stabilise. Call 000 and notify CIC. Arrange emergency evac immediately. Refer all enquiries and communications through CIC. Manage and protect condition of group. CIC organise debrief upon return Intentions: SMS CIC at end of trip when everyone is home safe FULL DETAILS: Refer to WIOT Risk Management Procedures

INCIDENT CONTROLS
INCIDENT
pose a risk to property, health or life

CAUSED BY
Environmental; Equipment; Human

SEVE

PROB

CONTROLS
what actions will be put in place to prevent the incident

Biten by a snake

Environmental

The group is to be talked to prior to the trip about appropriate behaviour if you see a snake, and how to deal with snake bite. Wear gaiters for leg protection, closed in shoes to protect feet. If bitten, stay very still and don't walk for help. Apply a pressure bandage to the bitten limb. Record your position and notify the group leader with a UHF or mobile of your position, as well as notify emergency services of your position. Before the trip leaders should assess the abilities and physical fitness of the group and decide that they are/are not able to handle the terrain. Before the trip leaders should notify participants of the expected terrain, and how to be safe while walking through difficult terrain. Participants should watch their footing when walking in bushland and not stand on wet/slippery logs. Leaders and peers should monitor the condition of others in the group and make sure they are physically and mentally coping with the terrain. Individuals should carry a 1st aid kit in case of falling and needing to fix themselves. Try to find the shallowest, easiest way across the creek. Don't step on wet logs/branches/rocks. Be careful with fast flowing water and use a rope to cross a section if needed. Leaders should brief the group on water hazards they may encounter, and appropriate actions of how to cross a creek or wet areas. If a creek is too high or dangerous to cross, participants should be told prior to the hike, to find a different route to the final destination instead of risking their lives. Leaders and participants need to be aware of alternate crossings or routes. A safety rope set up as a hand line should be used if crossing a dangerous waterway at a specific point is crucial. Leaders and participants need to be aware of changing weather conditions causing increased rainfall and rising waterways. Keep an eye of the sky and weather, check forecast before leaving for the hike.

Tripping over and injuring yourself

Environmental

1-2

Falling into a creek

Environmental

Roping accidents

Human

When using ropes to aid in crossing creeks, dangerous rocky areas, or cliff faces, students must be knowledgeable prior to the trip on how to set up appropriate safety lines, and rope systems. Leaders should tick off each person individually to ensure all participants are capable of safe rope practice. Incorrect use of ropes and climbing equipment could lead to injury, or even fatality in dangerous areas so always be mindful of the risks involved, and do not take 'shortcuts' instead of doing things up to a safe standard. Wear a rain jacket and over pants when it's raining/ snowing or when walking through wet bushland. Wear thermals to stay warm; don't stay in wet clothes if you have spare dry clothes. Leader should check all participants have appropriate warm and wet weather gear by ticking them off one by one before a trip commences. Make sure participants are aware of the importance of keeping their bodies fuelled and hydrated with high energy food and water to keep warm. Leaders should know the forecast leading up to the trip, and let participants know of the possible conditions and how to deal with these conditions, especially how to deal with severe weather conditions such as a blizzard. Double check your bearing before following it. Make sure you add/minus the magnetic declination. Prior to the trip commencing leaders must ensure all participants have adequate navigational skills to handle the activities and solo sections, as well as all participants carrying and knowing how to use maps and compasses. Prior to the trip decide on re-grouping points at well-accessible and easily identified points such as a junction on a road acting as a catching feature, or on the highest knoll of the area. Communication devices such as UHF's, mobile phones, spot devices, EPIRBS, should be carried by participants in case of emergency, or if they cannot make it back to a re-grouping point. Always know where your compass is and dont put it on the ground

Hypothermia

Human

Following the wrong bearing a getting lost

Human

Breaking or losing your compass Human

while doing solo navigation and getting lost

where you could step on it. Keep it in a safe place such as around your neck on a string. Keeping a spare compass in your pack could be important as a back-up. Leaders must make sure participants navigation skills and pacing are sufficient to follow a map, the sun, and land formations without the use of a compass to find a required destination. Prior to the trip decide on re-grouping points at wellaccessible and easily identified points such as a junction on a road acting as a catching feature, or on the highest knoll of the area. Communication devices such as UHF's, mobile phones, spot devices, EPIRBS, should be carried by participants in case of emergency, or if they cannot make it back to a re-grouping point. Environmental 1 C Brief the participants of the hazards of walking in the dark, or reduced visibility (heavy smoke, mist, fog). Make sure participants know how to deal with these situations and still adequately navigate. Ensure all participants are carrying a torch and spare batteries before embarking on the trip. If the activity is leading to people getting lost often or injuring themselves, the leader should consider modifying the activity to make it safer. Decide on tactics to communicate with the group in limited visibility to ensure no one is left behind. Decide on a regrouping point if necessary using a catching feature if possible. Be careful with mentholated spirits that is on fire, if spilt it can spread easily and is very dangerous. If touching hot pots, use a glove or something to protect your hand from the hot metal. Prior to the trip make sure participants are aware of the danger of burns while being in a remote area, and campfire hazards, as well as the effects that a burn can have on the individual at the time, and the treatment of the burn and pain for the remainder of the trip (if not evacuated). Make sure participants are knowledgeable in treating burns (as well as other wilderness 1st aid) if this occurred. Monitor people using their stoves and talk about safe practices with the group prior to, and during the trip. Sit a few metres or more away from the campfire to avoid sparks. Don't wrestle or play physical games near the fire. Watch out for dangerous activities and behaviour around the fire.

Darkness, reduced visibility

Burns

Human

1-2

Bush fire

Environmental

B Leaders should check the forecast and predicted conditions prior to (vari the trip departing, and in fire season, talk to the local park ranger able) about the possible fire risks. Leaders and participants must be aware of evacuation points and roads to possibly use in case of a bush fire. In high risk fire areas, it may be wise to eat food that does not require cooking with a flame. A radio and mobile phone must be carried on walks during the fire season to check daily fire status. If there is too much of a high fire risk, leaders should consider the cancellation and re-schedule of the trip. B Always wear sunscreen even when it is overcast and cold. Leaders should brief participants prior to the trip on the importance of covering up your body from the sun and the effects of sun exposure. Encourage participants to wear light weight long sleeve, long panted clothing to protect skin from the sun. Leader should know weather forecast and tell participants to cover up and wear sunscreen if needed. Leader should carry sunscreen in case participants have forgotten theirs. On high UV days, stay in the shade as much as possible. Leaders should brief participants on the appropriate gear to pack prior to the trip. Leaders should tick off each individual prior to departure to ensure essential items are packed eg. Water, appropriate food, warm jumper, raincoat, dry pants. Leaders should be aware of participants medication needs and ensure participants have their medication prior to departure. Ensure food is nutritious and high-energy, and stored appropriately in their pack. Leaders may need to carry extra gear in case of forgotten items such as extra medication, warm clothing, or food. Briefing on the importance of having a correctly fitted pack and the health hazards that an ill-fitting pack can cause. Make sure your pack is fitted correctly to your height/body size to prevent from being uncomfortable and putting unnecessary and harmful pressure on your

Sunburn

Environmental

Forgotten or lack of equipment

Equipment

Pack is too small/big/heavy

Equipment

back. Leaders should assess individuals with regards to body shape, weight, height and hence carrying capacity. Before departure check that packs fits correctly. Monitor participants through the hike and look for people who may not be coping with the weight of their pack. Ensure packs are weighed prior to the trip and ask participants to lighten their packs if they are too heavy. Wild fauna Environmental 1 A Be aware of wild animals in bushland. If you see an animal don't approach it, especially if it has young with it as it may be territorial and protective. Leaders should be aware of the fauna hazards in the area and how to deal with specific animals including insects and bugs such as ticks and leeches. Leaders should pass their knowledge of the local fauna onto the group participants. Insect repellent could be helpful, and wearing long pants/shirts to avoid leeches and insect bites. Leaders and participants should be aware of individuals with allergies to specific fauna (eg. bees), what their reaction will be, and how to deal with the reaction. Ensure medication is carried at all times if someone is allergic. As listed above, participants should be briefed on how to deal with snakes, how to avoid snake bites, and how to treat a snake bite. Minimum impact strategies should be used while in the bush to lessen the impact on the local fauna. Brief participants on what clothing they will need and provide them a checklist. Let them know of the climate of the area and forecast so they can pack accordingly. Ensure participants have adequate footwear and appropriate clothing to protect them from the weather and other environmental hazards before departure. Tell them what clothes are NOT appropriate such as heavy jeans, thongs, dangly jewellery. Always keep sufficient water in your pack to last you a day (or more if not close to water). Keep hydrated if it's hot or you have been exercising even if you dont feel thirsty. Have a gear checklist for the participants including multiple water bottles/containers and hydrolytes. Leaders should try and confirm water availability at

Inappropriate clothing

Human

Dehydration

Human

locations and inform participants if they need to carry extra water, and when the next water stop will be. Participants should be briefed on the health and safety importance of keeping hydrated, what the signs and symptoms are of a dehydrated person, and how to treat dehydration if it occurs. Losing map in bushland Human, Equipment 1 B Keep your map attached to your body if possible using a map holder attached to your pack or around your neck. Leader must ensure there are sufficient people with navigational skills and sufficient navigation equipment (back up maps, compasses, gps etc) appropriate to the remoteness, terrain and conditions of the activity. Decide re-grouping points at track junctions and at high knolls. Ensure participants can navigate without a map, by looking at the sun, their compass, and pacing, to find a known point or a known catching feature. Leader to ensure communication devices appropriate to the remoteness of the area are carried e.g. mobile or satellite phone, EPIRB. Make sure you put all your food, gear, belongings in dry bags or secure plastic bags inside your pack to keep your gear dry. There should be a briefing prior to the trip on the importance of waterproofing and what are the best techniques to keep gear dry, including how to use a dry bag correctly. Make sure all gear is waterproofed, not just some. Communication devices, medication, matches, emergency devices, and electronic equipment should be double waterproofed just in case.

Inadequate waterproofing

Equipment, Human

[1] Can treat/manage on-site; [2] Evac home/clinic [3] Life threatening SEVERITY PROBABILTY [A] Rare <1% [B] Unlikely 1- 10 % [C] Maybe 10-50 % [3C, 3B,2C] need strictly monitored controls. Minor incidents that dont even require first aid neednt be considered. Incidents [D]>50% probable then activity should not proceed