Outdoor instructors should know legal considerations including inherent dangers, program objectives, participant awareness, participant evaluation, supervision, professional conduct, safety considerations, and negligence. Threats of law suits can be diminished with care, "foreseeability," appropriate techniques and equipment, and well-prepared…

Provides recommendations that may be useful to administrators and directors of programs that require more and more truly exceptional skills and experiences on the part of instructors and trip leaders if the programs are to be conducted safely and effectively. (Author/IRT)

A camp that is establishing a challenge course or climbing wall must ensure program safety. Discusses financial planning, selecting a contractor, adhering to standards for construction, inspections, staff training, screening of participants, and the administrative challenge of implementing and documenting proper actions. Sidebar discusses a study…

Most take canoeing, leadership, first aid, CPR and other courses to help cope when something happens, but there is more to dealing with crisis than learning proper procedures and techniques. Three areas of concern interlock to form the Crisis Management Triangle: knowledge and skill, preventive awareness, and crisis management planning. (ERB)

Gathers comprehensive information about accidents and near misses occurring in outdoor programs. Includes checklists for types of injury/illness, program activity, and contributing factors. Asks for analysis and recommendations, comments by the program director, and a narrative description of how the accident happened, treatment given, and…

The purpose of this illustrated manual is to increase the knowledge and facilitate the training of challenge course instructors at an outdoor education center in Texas. It is intended for use as a tool during staff training for new instructors and as a reference tool throughout the school year by all instructors. The manual presents information…

Presents practical information about psychiatric medications and psychological emergencies to assist staff working in outdoor settings with mental health patients. Discusses the potential hazards and side effects of psychotropic drugs. Provides step-by-step guidelines for distinguishing between medical and psychological problems, assessing…

An adventure education center in South Wales has developed a safety contract that enables the client (often a school) and the center to fully discuss responsibilities, safety, and emergency arrangements prior to a course. Clients are educated and reassured by the process, and the contract is a positive marketing tool. Includes a copy of the safety…

Examines ways that outdoor leaders can address the needs of individuals in a group context, balance the needs of group processes against course objectives, recognize and deal with issues of power and authority in groups, and address psychological health and safety matters. Focuses on leader awareness and behavior and on the leader-participant…

Gives practical ideas for successful first aid simulations with specific steps for planning, executing, and debriefing. Emphasizes safety measures, realism, and planning for a definite purpose, e.g., motivating students to learn first aid/emergency procedures. Suggestions for debriefing cover time to air feelings, construct a factual chronology,…

Defining the nature and extent of risk associated with adventure education, this article notes the riskiest activities and delineates three main causes of accidents: unsafe conditions; unsafe acts; and judgmental errors. Careful program organization, staff selection, routine safety inspections, and emergency plans are also addressed. (SB)

The key to a successful program in a cold environment lies in dealing with the cold while still accomplishing program goals and objectives. Teachers and students must be aware of physiological and psychological reactions to the cold, cold injuries and their treatment, and techniques for staying warm. (SB)

Discusses the Red Cross Basic Canoeing course to exemplify the relationship of safety to skills taught. Emphasizes that instructors in all outdoor activities should concern themselves with safety, as well as teaching outdoor skills. (MH)

The handbook is intended for three leadership groups: leaders of land-based trips in the Pacific Northwest with youth or adults for an agency such as a city recreation department, experienced leaders, and leaders conducting high-adventure programs for juvenile delinquents. The handbook contains current information regarding: (1) trip planning and…

Backpacking serves as the vehicle for teaching basic secondary school subjects in this curriculum guide which suggests various learning activities for teaching human relations, environmental education, and camping. The activities, some for the classroom and some for the trail, are designed to help students observe, draw conclusions, and develop…