Here is a list of tips for conducting safe outdoors trips.
- Roles to be determined before your trip- lead and sweep on a hike; camp duties (depends on age, trip purpose and leadership style).
- Hiking Rate- group moves at rate of slowest person. Caution- avoid mistaking age with fitness and vise versa.
- Cooperative nature of outdoor activities- respect, patience, helping, « the stronger ones supporting the less strong ».
- Understand human needs- hunger, thirst, acceptance, maintaining positive self image, fatigue, fun, information about route, schedules and natural environment.
- Route Selection- select hike so that all participants will be successful, that is, will finish it without injury. Consider terrain, obstacles, distance, rate of movement.
- Pre-hike action- determine medical conditions, meal planning, gear check out, stretching, hydration, agreed on times for lunch, stopping at end of day, breaks (can depend on age of participants).
- Use of trip planning form- includes for example, evacuation route, communication equipment, first aid equipment and first aider.
- Hike Leader- use of appropriate leadership style depending on purpose of the outing, age and nature of participant; for example, democratic, laissez-faire, autocratic and situational leadership styles.
- Build in element of fun- activity needs to be structured so that people enjoy themselves and will choose to do it again another time.
- Pre-trip- if multi-day backpacking trip- need a preliminary meeting and a « test out hike » to test participants’ packs, footwear and socks, etc. Tents need to be examined for weight and working condition. Stoves need to be tested and perhaps a practice meal might be appropriate.
- Personal Time- people may require some personal down time each day.
- Camp- night activities need to be considered before trip; for example, readings, games, activities, time for quiet conversation.
Safe Trips!
Lewis Williams 2020