The Wilderness Risk Managers Committee (WRMC), a consortium of outdoor schools and organizations, works toward better understanding and management of risks in the wilderness. Among other activities, the WRMC gathers data on incidents and accidents from member organizations and other wilderness-based programs. This book compiles incident data for…

A South Carolina school district has initiated an organized approach to playground safety that includes (1) a strict board policy governing the selection, purchase, and installation of school playground equipment; (2) regular inspections; (3) proper surfacing materials; (4) proper supervision; and (5) equipment replacement schedule. (MLF)

Examines frequency, costs, and quality of life losses associated with unintentional childhood injuries in 1996, using analyses of national and state data sets. Summarizes the cost effectiveness of several child safety measures and discusses current federal funding patterns for health care research on the subject. An appendix presents methods of…

A survey of 102 New Jersey secondary school science teachers, department chairpersons, and supervisors concerning their laboratory accident-rate was conducted during the 1981-82 school year. Results indicate that accidents occur on a weekly basis even among a sample of experienced teachers who were interested in safety. The number of accidents…

The monograph argues that prevention should be considered the first step in the rehabilitation process, and examines preventive efforts in the areas of occupational safety, road safety, home safety, and sporting and recreational safety. Following an introductory chapter, other chapters discuss: (1) the close relationship between compensation,…

Joe L. Frost is Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas, Austin, and one of America's leading experts on play and playgrounds. In addition to having taught child development and early childhood education at Texas and several other universities, he has written or edited fifteen university-level textbooks and more than one…

This is a tale of caregiving in two cities--and it was the best of times and the worst of times. In this article, the author describes the differences in the care given by nurses and social workers to her 90-year-old mother who died from metastatic colon cancer and to her husband who had traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident and was…

Provides a priori historical experiences and illustrations of several roles played by health practitioners in applied injury prevention. Reviews various models and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. Suggests guidelines for program management. (Author/CW)

Offers ideas and guidelines on how to manage crisis before and after it occurs in camp setting. Lists types of possible crises, detailing one actual incident. Explores broad issues and techniques of crisis management. Emphasizes value of planning for crisis management and risk management (crisis prevention). (TES)

This article is included in the Practice Notes section of this journal, which is intended to keep readers informed about health education practice around the country. It is an attempt to spread the word about exemplary strategies, initiatives, and programs and share successes in overcoming obstacles or challenges. In this article, two programs are…

Critical decision making on a whitewater trip goes beyond simply having knowledge of safety practices. Rather, prudent decisions are arrived at through a complex interplay of diverse factors. The question is: how can outdoor educators prepare themselves and their staff to make the "right" decision when faced with a potentially dangerous…

An analysis of the accident experience of the Hawaii Bound School for 1980 is given in this report. Student and instructor accident reports list all injuries reported during the year, the number of times each type of injury was reported and the age range of students injured. The report makes recommendations concerning implementation of 1979…

A 2-year-old drunk-driving program developed in the Deer Park, New York, public schools has included a week-long campaign addressing Deer Park high school students and an "awareness week" meeting for parents. Both events made extensive use of experts and audiovisual aids. Information for obtaining the latter is provided. (JBM)

An analysis of school district student injury reports revealed that 62 to 80 percent of all elementary school injuries were occurring on the playground, and that students were the major cause of injury. After a series of student-orientation rules and staff-orientation programs, injuries as a pilot site decreased by 78 percent for the year. (MLF)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS], n.d.) has shown that workers involved in accidents have little, if any, instruction on the equipment they were using while injured. Keep in mind that instruction on the safe operation of a piece of equipment may take place early in the school year,…