This paper stresses the outdoor recreation and education professionals should understand aspects of liability, negligence, and risk management. There are four elements that must be present if a person or organization is to be considered negligent: the presence of a legal duty of care, a breach of duty, proximate cause, and actual damages. When…

The dilemma in adventure education is to eliminate unreasonable risks to participants without reducing the levels of excitement, challenge, and stress that are inherent in adventure programming. Most accidents in outdoor pursuits are caused by a combination of unsafe conditions; unsafe acts (usually on the part of the student); and error judgments…

An expedition is different from other forms of overnight wilderness travel in that it involves extended time and distance in the field; it is beyond the reach of immediate rescue; and the party is self-contained regarding gear, provisions, and decision-making responsibilities. Successful expeditions may prove to be powerful, life-changing…

In the event of a debilitating injury or illness, outdoor leaders should consider four critical phases in successfully managing backcountry field evaluations. The first phase, managing the immediate scene, involves assuring scene safety, medical care of the patient, instituting the emergency response plan, and providing for the needs of uninjured…

Suggests nine requirements for a contingency plan to assure a library's successful recovery from a disaster. A discussion of the salvage team, security, and staff problems follows an enumeration of helpful supplies and equipment. Appended is a sample emergency procedure checklist. (SW)

This paper reviews aspects of Canadian and U.S. law related to liability and negligence of outdoor programs and suggests strategies for risk management. To prove negligence, an individual injured in an outdoor program must prove that the outdoor leader had a duty of care to the participant, standards of care were breached, actual injury was…

The primary purpose of the present study was to examine how prevalent were concerns about restarting Three Mile Island nuclear reactor Unit I among people within a five-mile radius of the plant four years after the accident involving reactor Unit II. Also explored were concerns related to expectations about the restart of Unit I, perception of…

The workshop for Alcohol Safety Action Project administrators was held to help prepare project directors in the management of their projects and to identify their responsibilities and job tasks. It was also attended by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) representatives to help in the orientation of the ASAP program. The full…

This paper discusses course structure, teaching techniques, and field exercises for enhancing winter travelers' avalanche knowledge and skills. In two class sessions, the course typically consists of a historical perspective; a section on snow physics (clouds, types of snow crystals, effects of riming, identification of precipitated snow crystals,…

Traces the history and evolution of graduated driver licensing in the United States and elsewhere. Considers the extent to which graduated licensing achieves its objective of reducing collisions. Discusses a growing body of research that shows the effectiveness of the program. (Contains 2 tables and 47 references.) (AUTHOR/WFA)

Considers the role and value of an extended learner's period in a graduated driver-licensing system through a review of the literature. Concludes that further research is needed on the safety benefits and optional features of the learner period. (Contains 1 figure, 3 tables, and 41 references.) (AUTHOR/WFA)

A study examined a format for fear appeal messages that introduced a threat through one medium (i.e., a segment of dramatic television programming) and the recommended action through another medium (i.e., the verbal presentation of safety guidelines by an adult to a child). Subjects, 138 elementary school children from a middle-class elementary…

This paper presents findings and recommendations resulting from a study of the equipment and systems currently used to transport wheelchair-confined students. Objective of the study was to assist the California Department of Education in preparing specifications for loading and securement facilities used in transporting wheelchair-confined…

Reviews trends in laboratory safety found in both industrial and academic situations. Reports that large industrial labs generally have excellent safety programs but that, although there have been improvements, academia still lags behind industry in safety. Includes recommendations for improving lab safety. (ML)

This guide provides information on organizing a state volunteer hunter education association, and reviews the development and accomplishments of the Kentucky Hunter Education Association. State associations use volunteer instructors to provide programs educating hunters on good sportsmanship, honesty, citizenship, self-reliance, and prevention of…