Priest and Gass, “Effective Leadership in Adventure Programming“, 1997, p. 98, make reference to the use of “risk management countermeasures” in support of a risk management plan. These “countermeasures” can be employed to either avoid, or minimize, the effect or
Scouting’s risk management challenges . . . there are many!
Being a well-meaning BSA adult volunteer in support of a unit’s outdoor program presents many challenges. The challenges presented are, for the most part, different than those normally faced by adults. Indeed, the challenges which must be faced, and successfully
BSA’s Revised 2017 Wilderness First Aid Curriculum
In September, 2017, BSA announced a revised curriculum for wilderness first aid courses for BSA volunteers. The new curriculum updates the prior 2010 wilderness first aid curriculum. The revised curriculum may be found here. By way of important change, while
BSA “Tour Plans” terminated – now what?
As of April 1, 2017, BSA terminated its Tour Plan trip planning resource. There is no stated replacement. Since either the Tour Plan or its predecessor Tour Permit procedure have been in place since the 1960s, this is a major
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
Can you cope at the boundaries of the activity?
Jeff Jackson, professor and coordinator of Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure Program, and co-author of “Managing Risk – Systems Planning for Outdoor Adventure Programs” (2011), in a recent webinar, makes the point that “safe failure” is more important than being “fail
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
Hints to assist in avoiding or minimizing risk in the outdoors . . .
Peter Kick, in his 2015 book “Desperate Steps – Life, Death, and Choices Made in the Mountains of the Northeast“, lists the following hints to assist in avoiding or minimizing risk in the backcountry: Plan ahead – know your bailout
Injuries and near misses – what are their causes, and can they be avoided by following BSA policies and procedures?
Goode et al, in their 2015 publication “Looking beyond people, equipment, and environment: Is a systems theory model of accident causation required to understand injuries and near misses during outdoor activities?“, Procedia Manufacturing 3 (2015) 1125-1131 (available on-line at www.sciencedirect.com),
How many victims are there?
In the event of an unfortunate incident, involving one or more youth or adults, it may be simplistic to believe that the only victims are those directly involved – i.e., those who are injured, or worse. But, the list of
Is your unit capable of attending to risk issues?
Professor Angie Moline of Northern Arizona University several years ago released the results of a study directed to the level of preparedness of university faculty who supervised outdoor field programs for students in subject areas such as ecology, biology, environmental
Your outdoor activity is done . . . now what?
Most outdoor recreation commentators do not consider an activity completed until a “post-activity review” occurs. That is, what did we do, how did we do it, how did it go, and what do we need to change? Scout units may
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
The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety . . . now retired, but still relevant!
The “Sweet 16 of BSA Safety” has been an integral part of the standard of care which must be exercised during the planning and conduct of Scouting’s outdoor program for decades. However, as of 2021, the “Sweet 16” is phased
You followed “protocol” . . . so why did bad stuff still happen?
In a story from 2002, two members of a church camp canoeing group tragically perished at the base of Upper Basswood Falls in the Boundary Waters (pictured below) – one a camp participant while swimming at the base of the
Competent trip planning = risk management
Priest and Gass, in their book Effective Leadership in Adventure Programming, 2nd ed., 2005, conclude that competent planning for an outdoor activity includes the following items: Reason for the trip (what are the purposes, goals and objectives?) Activities involved (do
Learn it young, remember it forever . . .
“Learn it young, remember it forever” . . . a promotional slogan adopted by Scouts South Africa, as discussed and depicted in this video. This slogan has real implications with regard to risk management in Scouting, reinforcing the fact
What is your “zone of operation” ?
Several outdoor program commentators characterize an outdoor program participant’s ability to function by relating their level of competence to the degree of difficulty of the activity, denoted as “operation zones“. Such “operation zones” are defined as follows: The “boredom zone”
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
The exercise of “sound judgment” by BSA “fiat” – is it possible?
BSA’s new (2015) “Scouter Code of Conduct” states “I will exercise sound judgment and demonstrate good leadership and use the Scouting program for its intended purpose consistent with the mission of the Boy Scouts of America”. Is that a promise that
Some recommended outdoor risk management resources . . .
Apart from the author’s risk management book, the one and only book written specifically for adult Scout volunteers on the subject, there are a number of other resources directed to outdoor risk management which would find a useful spot in
BSA’s adult leader “Code of Conduct” . . . a standard of care by another name?
BSA published (Oct, 2015, revised March, 2021) a Scouter Code of Conduct to guide adult volunteers during their tenure. Adhering to all aspects of this Scouter Code of Conduct will serve to assist an adult volunteer in meeting the requisite
Philmont PASS . . . or fail?
Philmont Scout Reservation has been in continuous use since 1942. During 2015-2016, for two years, BSA offered Philmont advisor training programs at various locations across the country (apparently the first ever offered specifically for Philmont advisors). The program, known as
The challenge of an activity . . . and adult volunteer decision-making
During a recent outdoor activity, the author requested that one of the activity stations be modified (by reducing the height at which the activity occurred) to provide a greater margin for safety, this despite the activity being within the guidelines
Adult volunteers . . . will they survive the event?
The movie “White Mile” (trailer found here) (available on DVD and used in support of some university outdoor recreation courses) is based on a true life event where several adult participants perished during a “corporate-bonding” white water rafting event in Canada.
General vs. specific supervision . . . know the difference, and the potential effect!
The “qualified supervision” of BSA’s Sweet Sixteen involves many responsibilities, one of which is to understand when to exercise “general supervision”, when to exercise “specific supervision”, and when to transition from one to another. In a reported incident of years past,
What is BSA’s “standard of care”?
As discussed in a different post, Scout volunteers owe a “standard of care” to those Scouts in their care. The “standard of care” are those actions taken to meet the Scout volunteers’ “duty of care“ toward their Scouts. Whether the
“Barrier analysis” . . . standard of care by another name?
“Barrier analysis” is a concept which originated decades ago with government and industrial accident investigations and accident prevention efforts. While the barrier analysis concept has not routinely been associated with risk management in the outdoor recreation field, extensive discussion of
Are you meeting your “Standard of Care” toward your Scouts?
All units should recognize that they owe a “duty of care” to their youth. But the duty of care is accompanied by a “standard of care” – i.e., those steps taken by a unit to meet its duty of care.
Lightning safety in the outdoors
Lightning safety is a necessary skill for those participating in outdoor program activities. Indeed, it is not difficult to find references on the web to lightning incidents. The lightning risk in Scouting is real. See, “Boy Scouts Accused of Not Taking
A unit owes a “Duty of Care” to its Scouts
The duty of care is every leader’s obligation towards Scouts under their guidance. A leader (or leaders) can enhance the odds that they will have met their duty of care by: following BSA and industry-recognized outdoor activity procedures and best practices;
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,
Are you sufficiently skilled for paddle sport programs?
The August 2014 issue of Boys’ Life contains an article titled “The Wild Wild North”, describing a California troop’s eight day trek through Bowron Lake Provincial Park in British Columbia. Interestingly, the trek followed a number of interconnected lakes and
Canoeing at Northern Tier – not all sunshine and calm water!
On Thursday, June 12, 2014, a crew of eight originating from BSA’s Northern Tier base encountered 30 mph winds and heavy rain and waves while crossing a large lake in the Boundary Waters. One of their three canoes swamped in
The exercise of good judgment in the outdoors is crucial!
The exercise of good judgment by an adult leader in a youth-based outdoor activity is a crucial aspect of risk management. Indeed, it is the foundation of BSA safety in the outdoors. In the end, exercising good judgment may be the only factor protecting participants
Decision-making models . . . What are they?
I recently read an after-action report about an accident involving an avalanche involving high school age youth, which report discussed “decision-making models” that could be used by an organization in an attempt to avoid a bad outcome for an activity.