| Nepean Bushwalking and Outdoors Club Bushwalkers Risk Assessment | ||
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Bushwalking exposes participants to several inherent risks. Walking over rough ground and through vegetation can lead to trips and falls, lacerations, abrasions and injuries from bumping into branches or rock overhangs. Rocky areas and above cliffs carry risk of falls off rocks or cliffs. Walking below cliffs icurs risk of being struck by falling rocks, branches and other objects. In bushland, a risk of falling branches or trees is incurred. There is the risk of snake-bite,insect stings, stings from plants such as nettles and stinging trees, injuries from animals, native and domestic. In hot weather, the risk is cramps, dehydration and heat stress leading to heat stroke if allowed to continue. Also the risk of bushfires. In cold weather, the main risk is hypothermia. There is the risk of being lost in the bush, generally due to parties splitting up. There is also the risk of participants with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart problems and blood pressure problems especially if the walk leader is not informed. Some walks may not have all the risk factors listed here, but most walks will have many of them. |
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| Risk Management. | ||
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Most risks are avoidable by due care of the participant and avoiding conditions such as fire danger and extreme weather conditions. The leader should inform the participants of any unusual risks likely to be encountered and should attempt to obtain information as to and medical conditions likely to affect a persons ability to complete the walk. Many people are reluctant to impart this information. In the event of injuries occuring, the leader will use first aid qualified members to manage the injury by applying the appropriate treatment. First aid equipment is normally carried by qualified people and others are advised to carry first items. Rest and protection must be provided to casualties who are no longer able to continue. This one reason why a group must not separate during a walk. If the injury or condition requires more advanced treatment than can be provided by first aiders, then help must be sought by calling emergency number (000) or (112) on a mobile phone. If no service ,then send two people to a higher place to see if they can obtain communication. If this cannot be obtained then two experienced people must be sent for help at quickest house to reach in order to phone for help. The message must give the location, the number and description of casualties and the nature of the injuries or condition of the casualty or casualties. If an individual or group is missing, the leader will organise for the group to return to where the missing party was last seen and search any alternative route that they may have taken, calling out or blowing a whistle from time to time. If this search is ineffective, then check the finish point of the walk. If the missing party does not appear, then more help must be sought by contacting the club president or ringing the emergency number or Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue. If caught in a bushfire, stop and think. Don't run uphill or away from a fire. Look for a clear area or a sheltered spot and cover yourself. Get into a creek or dam but not an above ground tank. . |
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| ©Copyright Malcolm Hughes Southern Highlands Bushwalkers inc | ||