Wilderness Hazard Slide Show
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Transcript of Wilderness Hazard Slide Show
Photo Album
By Preferred Customer
Outdoor Education At Glengarry
“One life, one chance”
One life One Chance• In the context of your
next 5 months at Glengarry, what does this saying mean to you?
• Take several minutes to discuss this with the person next to you!
• Would any of you like to share your discussions with the group?
The Outdoor Environment
Is a place for us to explore the environment and ourselves
Many say that the Wilderness is a learning place! What do you think we can get out of our experiences in the bush?
• Psychological benefits
• Social benefits
• Physical benefits
• Educational benefitsKangaroo Valley
Possible Benefits Of Attending The Glengarry Outdoor Program
Psychological Sociological Educational Physical
Self Concept
Confidence
Self efficacy
Sensation seeking
Well being
Personal testing
Compassion
Group cooperation
Respect for others
Communication
Friendship
Belonging
Outdoor education
Nature awareness
Conservation Ed
Problem solving
Outdoor technique
Improved academics
Fitness
Skills
Strength
Co-ordination
Catharsis
Balance
As you are about to set out on your Glengarry adventure what kind of attitude are you going to apply to your time?
A positive or a negative attitude?
Give everything your
best
Anything is possible if you
believe in yourself
Whoever you were before Glengarry forget it, here you can change!
What ever you decide to set out to achieve while you are here at Glengarry, the number one theme that must underpin all you do is safety!
Safety!Looking out for each other and coming home safe!
There are many simple things that can harm you in
the bush
Being aware of what they are is an important step in
the safety process!
Let us take you through some of the
things we have learnt!
Hazards in the Bush
Safety Begins With The 5 P’sSafety Begins With The 5 P’s
• Being safe in the outdoors begins before you even set off on your journey.
• Analysis of accidents has shown that many series injuries occur because some key planning questions were taken too lightly.
• What questions should you ask?
Prior Preparation prevents poor performance
RIGHT PEOPLE
Ask yourself the following; Do you have ….
RIGHT PLACE
RIGHT TIME
RIGHT EQUIPMENTCommon goals?
Similar ability &
experience?
The same safety mindset
among all members
Is everyone the same
fitness level?
The same technical skills; is
everyone prepared for this
kind of trip?
RIGHT PEOPLE
Ask yourself the following; Do you have ….
RIGHT PLACE
RIGHT TIME
RIGHT EQUIPMENT
This easy moving river was a good
choice for our first kayak trip
We will be right, lets just go for it, don’t worry about what might
happen
Are you sure you can handle the
terrain and conditions you will encounter? What dangers await?
RIGHT PEOPLE
Ask yourself the following; Do you have ….
RIGHT PLACE
RIGHT TIME
RIGHT EQUIPMENT
What are the conditions like at this time of
year?
Seasonal variations in weather can have serious
consequences for your safety!
No water, snakes, ticks, floods, storms, snow,
cold, heat?
RIGHT PEOPLE
Ask yourself the following; Do you have ….
RIGHT PLACE
RIGHT TIME
RIGHT EQUIPMENT
T he follow ing item s m ust be carried by you in your h ike pack on any overn ight cam ping experience. P lease use th is sheet as a check list to ensure that you have included it in your kit. C loth ing you w ould w ear on h ike m orning: G roup G ear: 1 pair sho rts. O ne T ent betw een 2 1 T shirt. 1 Fuel bo ttle
1 So cks. O ne T rangia betw een 2 1 undies Foo d. O btained AM o f hike day. 1 300 w t pile jacket 1 T arp H ike bo o ts o r go o d w alking sho es. E xtra G ear in a w aterproof bag 1 pair long pants: (T rack suit o r army pants). 1 T shirt. 1 100 w t P ile jacket. 1 undies. 1 So cks. 2 pair thermal underw ear.
1 W o o l B eanie Personal O utdoor E quipm ent T ent pegs. Pack. T o o th brush, too th paste. 1st A id Kit. C amp Soap. Sleeping B ag (W ater pro o fed in plastic bag). 1 Po oper Sco o per, T o ilet paper C o mpass, w histle. C amera? (N o t compulso ry). Pen, paper. R ainco at (Keep nearer top o f pack) Sunscreen & Insect repelant A ny m edication you m ay need 2 W ater bo ttles, Full + Filter bo ttle Knife Fo rk Spoo n, M ug, P late. N o W alkm ans M ap. (Y ou w ill receive this on hike mo rning) B ring w ith you your positive Sw iss Army knife. a ttitudes. H eadlamp, to rch. (W ith N ew B atteries). Sleeping mat. Inflatable mats sho uld be inside pack.
Use your gear list to pack, to
ensure you don’t leave things
behind!
Know what your equipment is for and know how to use it. Your life could depend on
it!
Discussion Point
• Based on your present experience level, and your knowledge of the bush of Kangaroo Valley, how difficult should the trips be in catering for your present fitness, experience level?
RIGHT PEOPLE
Once you have ticked off these important things…..
RIGHT PLACE
RIGHT TIME
RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Once you have prepared well, it is time to focus on safety issues in the field. What do we need to be
concerned about?
HAZARDS IN THE BUSH
Can be broken down into several key areas• Endo or subjective hazardsEndo or subjective hazards
– Things within our control like our fitness, experience or skill level.
• Exo or objective hazardsExo or objective hazards– These are things that are always out in the bush and things we
could encounter at any time like cliffs, rock fall, flooded rivers.
• We will now focus on identifying the EXO hazards that you may encounter in the bush while at Glengarry.
• You must be constantly on the look out for these, in order to take appropriate safety precautions.
• Poison plants
• Thick vegetation
• Deadfall, logs
• Whip back branches
• Wind
• Rain
• Cold
• Heat
• Insects
• Snakes
• Spiders
• Ticks
• Rivers
• Cliffs
• Rock fall
• Steeps
• Undercuts
WEATHER
FAUNA
FLORA
TERRAIN
WILDERNESS HAZARDSWILDERNESS HAZARDS
WEATHER
• Increase wind chill; hypothermia• Increase fire hazard• Can cause lake & ocean to get
rough• Possibility of trees falling on
tents or hikers• Can effect communications • Can indicate a change in weather
conditions
Wind
WEATHER
• Increased risk of hypothermia• Makes footing very unstable
increasing risks of falls; be aware of cliff edges & steep terrain in these conditions.
• After heavy rain, creeks and rivers may flood blocking your route. What should you do if this happens to you?
Rain
LightningA threat we must take seriously
Discussion Point
• How many of you have ever been outside playing when you see lightning and hear thunder very close to seeing the lightning?
• Lets have a show of hands!
• Do you know you have been putting your life in danger?
Lightning
Lightning
• Get off high ground• Get off the water• Get out of your sleeping
bag• Stay out of creeks• You MUST insulate
yourself from the ground• Boots on, rubber mats on
ground, crouch on packs.
A risk that you must take very seriously, your life could depend on taking the right action!
Lightning Protection Position
Do not huddle under
tree as lightning may
strike high point
If you are in the open you may become the high point
that gets struck
Insulate yourself from
the ground using your
boots, pack, and rubber mat
Don’t be under the tree, but
not right out in the open. ½ height from
tree.
When Should We Begin To Be Worried About Lightning:
25 / 15 Second Rule!25 / 15 Second Rule!• At 25 seconds between
lightning and thunder, lightning is in striking range. Move to safest ground in case storm is closing in on you.
• At 15 seconds group must be spread out and in insulation position.
Observing Weather Charts
• Check the weather forecast prior to departure. If the forecast is for bad weather modify your plans.
• Learn to read the weather in the field. Wind, clouds, temperature, pressure systems.
• We will do this in the coming lessons
COLD
• Be alert in winter or in bad weather in summer for symptoms of hypothermia in members of your group.
• Low temperatures, wind & rain provide the conditions for hypothermia.
• Tired, fatigued, lack of food and drink, wet, inappropriate clothing along with the right environmental conditions can lead to life threatening conditions.
• What are some symptoms that would tell you someone in your group is hypothermic? Show of hands if you have an answer!
• What would you do?
Shivering
Hands numb
Difficulty using finger because
they are so coldMild confusion,
irrational comments
Lagging behind the group
If any of these symptoms are present you must stop, take
shelter, get in warmer clothing, set up camp, get in sleep bag, warm
drink, food.
Pack For The Worst Conditions
Hot Weather
• Risk of hyperthermia or heatstroke.
• Wear cool clothing, hat.
• Drink lots of H20
• Walk in morning and late afternoons. Pace yourself, don’t sweat excessively.
• Be aware of symptoms• What would these be?
Pale, Clammy
Skin
Nausea, vomiting
Stop, wet, get cool,
drink,
Sweaty, weak, thirsy, dizzy
Flora Hazards• The Australian
Vegetation provides many hidden traps for the uninitiated.
• Gaining an awareness of potential dangers is essential to safe travel in the bush
• Can you think of ways vegetation can be a threat to our safety?
Ouch!This is thick
Dam, that flicked me in the
head
Oh!My eye, I got a
stick in it!
My legs are just getting so scratched
I can’t see where I am supposed to
be navigating
I feel like I have been stung by
something!
A trip on deadfall combined with the weight of a pack
could lead to injury
Packs can get caught on branches
Vegetation type can greatly effect travel time. 500 mts per
hour in areas along the coast
Traversing Deadfall
Slipping between deadfall, then falling
forward or back can result in broken limbs. Tread
carefully!
What are the consequences of
tripping or slipping on a tree root or loose terrain when I am
above a steep slope or cliff?
Cliff Below
A potentially life threatening fall. Travel slowly &
carefully!
Whip BacksIt is my
responsibility to walk far enough
behind the person in front
This allows time for the
branch to flick back into place without hitting
me.
Walking too close could
lead to my eyes being injured
Branches or sticks in the eyesRushing or
running in the bush can be dangerous
Wearing a cap can obscure our view of
branches
Keep your head up, looking
ahead. Walk in a controlled
manner
Poison Vegetation
Allergies from Pollens
Poison Vegetation
Internal. Do not eat strange plants
Dermatitis. Skin contact with plants
Mechanical Spines & prickles
Tree Fall• Be aware of strong winds and
surrounding trees
• Dead or rotten trees are potential concerns
• Also large mature trees
• Select your tents site carefully, your life could depend on it! Don’t set up under trees that could drop branches on you
• Several school girls lost their lives in Sydney in 2001
Prudent tent site selection is always important
The Scratchy Australian Bush
• Can severely cut up your legs if adequate clothing is not worn. Long pants should always be a part of your hike kit.
• Thick vegetation can also limit your visibility and add extra challenge to navigation
What if you become Lost
There may be times when you are unsure of where you are, or you may become separated
from your group
Would you know what to
do?
Know how to use your map & compass• Keep track of where you are.
Maps must be out at all times.
• Trust your compass it never lies
• Ask for help if you are not sure
• Mapping is like putting all the pieces of a jigsaw together. This will need you to be paying constant attention
• Leave a route plan with a responsible person
If I follow 45 degrees for 400 metres we should hit
the road
NavigationNow which way from
here?That way! No this way!
Navigation Training
• Sessions are designed to help you learn navigation skills so you can know where you are in the bush.
• If you don’t understand be sure to ask, staff are out there to help you!
Contours tell us what the ground around us should
look like. Closer together means this next
section will be steep!
What can your group do to prevent becoming lost?
• Maps out at all times• Constantly try and match the
terrain around you with what you see on your map
• Never stop looking at your map when walking along.
• Use your compass• NEVER split your group• Use the group to sound ideas• If in doubt STOP
We passed that creek here, and we have gone up this steep
slope, we now should look out for that small hill.
Lets all do a compass bearing to the hill and make sure we
get the same bearing
I get 360 degrees, so do I; hang on I get 180 degrees. Lets check it again and work out where we
went wrong.
Stop
Think
Observe
Plan
When Lost & Trying to Attract Attention Blow 3 Whistle Blasts
Your rescuers will respond
with 1 whistle blast
Often terrain hazards that near home would
seem of no concern, are potentially places where
serious accidents can occur
When a long way from help always exercise the uttermost caution, as assistance is often a
long way away.
Terrain Hazards
Terrain HazardsUnder the right
conditions crossing a log over a stream can
be a safe way of getting across
Under what circumstances would you never cross a stream via a
log?
NEVER EVER think that it is safe to cross a flooded
river via a log. Just because it is out of the water does
not mean it is safe
Ask the question, what if I fall in? Assume the worst that you
will fall in. If in doubtSet up camp and wait for help!Set up camp and wait for help!
Safety Around CliffsWith the right training and safety equipment cliffs can be a place
for adventure
Safety Around Cliffs
Without being tied in to a rope and an anchor point, one slip could be your last
slip.
No one should venture any closer
than 3 body lengths to a cliff
edge
Cliff Edge Safety
• Showing off• Just getting that bit
closer for a look• Clowning around close
to the edge• Rushing• Wet conditions• Rocks & sticks• You just might slip for
the last time.
Safety Around Cliffs
• One slip and…….• Rules for around cliffs
– 3 body lengths from edge.
• If it is higher than a body length then a fall can be life threatening
You guys above be careful you do not knock rocks on us
below
If rocks from above were a threat how could you manage this group
in a safer manner?
Mosquitoes
I will keep you awake, and
drink your blood all night long
Keep your tent done up at all times otherwise it will fill with bugs, spiders, snakes, pack rats.
Precaution against night visitors
Discussion Point
• Has anyone every had a tick? Show of hands?
• What triggered your senses to alert you to the fact that you had a tick?
TicksI usually hide in places that are dark, moist and warm,
like in your hair, under your arms, in between your legs
You will know I am on you as I initially make you
itchy. If left in I can cause numbness and even
paralysis
Does anyone know how to get me out?
Repellant: Ammonia or gasoline
Grease
Gently extract with tweezers
Heat
Don’t sit in long grass or bush in
tick season
Leeches
I’m harmless
I don’t like
insect repellant
Salt, flicking, repellant all get me off
I itch
Insect Stings or Spider BitesIf I bite you, pressure bandage, imobilise & don’t move until help
arrives
If I bite you, put a cold compress over the bite
area
Funnel Web
Red Back
Allergic ReactionsI am friendly to most but I can
cause a life threatening
allergic reaction to some
If you are allergic have your
preventative injection with you on hike
Let your friends and hike group mates
know what to do if you get stung or have a reaction!
Other people can be allergic to vegetation or
food EG: Peanuts.
Snake Bite
• Calm & reassure person• Immobilise bitten
extremity with firm elastic bandage from fingers or toes up
• Do not move casualty, seek help immediately
• Do not allow patient to move or walk around
First Aid If BittenFirst Aid If Bitten
Precautions with SnakesI feel vibrations in the ground and will be long
gone if I hear you coming
Discussion Point1. If you and your hike
group are walking along a track and come across a snake that appears dead (asleep or alive), what should you do?
a. Hit it with a stickb. Jump over itc. Throw a rock on itd. Stamp loudly from a
distance until it moves away, and then give it a wide birth.
Water
We paddle in it
We go camping next to it
It is our water supply
Water Quality
I can cause diarrhea
I can make you
sick
What kind of circumstances
lead to my existence?
Not washing hands after
toileting
Not washing dishes
Drinking untreated
water
Water Quality
Take the time to filter, it could stop you becoming very
ill
Cooking with your Trangia Stove
Metho Fuel
When cooking no one is
allowed inside the circle
Cooking is one of the great activities
you do on hike however there are some safety rules
you need to follow
No washing up in the river.
Clean up before fire
River Crossing Awareness
Water Crossings
• The most likely cause of death in bush walking accidents
• Rivers are dynamic and change rapidly after rain
• What is safe one day could be a death trap the next
• Never cross flooded rivers by any means
• IE) Swimming, across logs, walking, with ropes
Sit and wait for help, you Sit and wait for help, you will be late, but alivewill be late, but alive
Summary
• Safety of students and staff is a joint effort.
• We will train you to the best of our ability.
• In return you MUST ensure all the training, rules and guidelines are followed.
• These are in place for your safety.