Stage 1 Outdoor Education

Critical Incident Management

Program Staff contacts

Daniel Polkinghorne 0403 254 814 Richard Drogemuller 0438881048
Lauren Mellington 0411 469 177 Matt Brown 0409556321
Bec Rice 0439 798 903 Pulteney Sat Phone 0452 250 205

During the program an All Hours Contact (AHC) from Pulteney is available at any time. In the case
of an emergency or incident Pulteney students and staff need to follow a strict communication
system.
The AHC is to make contact with anyone outside of the program (e.g. parents, media) should the
need arise.
The School’s AHC is Mrs Deb Dalwood on 0436 608 265.
Please contact the AHC if you cannot contact program staff.

It is important to ensure the lines of communication are kept free, please only contact the AHC with matters of
urgency during the program.

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Steps in Incident Management
1. Take Charge
 One person appoints themselves the leader in this moment
 Other group members need things to do gather together and ensure they are safe,
create shelter, prepare food, seek phone coverage
2. Safe Approach (DRABCDE)
 Danger to yourself, rescuers, other group members, patient
 Mechanism of injury
 Number of patients
3. Primary Survey – Control of Life Threats
 Response
 Airway
 Breathing
 Circulation
 Deadly bleeding (take precautions against infection: gloves, mask, etc)
4. Shock
 Protection from the environment (particularly bare ground, water, and wind). Do not
underestimate the long-term effects of environment on patient’s levels of shock.
 Rest and reassurance
 Pain minimisation
5. Secondary Survey (repeat every 15 mins)

Symptoms Origin-where is the pain located in your body?

Allergies Provokes/Palliates- what makes the pain worse/better?
Medications Quality- what does the pain feel like? (sharp, stabbing, dull,
Past Medical history aching…)
Refers/Radiates- does the pain move around your body?
Last ins and outs Severity-how bad: scale of 1 to 10?
Events leading up to Timing: when did it start? How did it develop? (fast or slow)
6. Contact
 Make contact with Program Staff using Emergency Call Guide. All information in Notifiable
Incident Report must be filled in completely before requesting assistance.
Emergency Numbers
Victor Harbor National Parks and Wildlife Poisons Information 131 126
Service Office Fire: Deep Creek Country Fire Service
P: (+61 8) 8552 0300 (08) 8598 0263
0427 556 676 (outside of business hours). Police:
Medical: Goolwa Police Station
South Coast District Hospital (08) 8555 2018
For all emergencies, phone 000
P: (08) 8552 0500 EMERGENCY (LIFE THREATENING) 000
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Safety Management for bushwalking, cycling & surfing

1. Walking Specific Safety
 Pre-walk instruction on identifying
 Pre-ride explanation of single file walking on sections.
 Avoid regeneration areas and places where high user impact is starting to show
 Walk only on the designated paths
 Avoid creating new trails
 Avoid cutting corners
 Avoid widening exiting trails
 Walk around obstacles to avoid accidents or creating detours
 when hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
 be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
 Make sure you have appropriate weather proof clothing accessible
 Carry enough water to be self-sufficient to next water drop
 Be respectful of other users at all times
 Stay on the designated trails and connector tracks for your own safety, and prevent the spread of declared weeds
to other areas in the park
 Ensure Lauren knows your approximate location and expected time of arrival
 Take appropriate maps and check location regularly.

2. Drowning (surfing)
 Warn students of the hazards before starting the session and when an additional hazard appears.
 Ensure School staff are able to get to the group to support a struggling surfer
 Ensure students have a surf buddy
 Ensure all students are wearing wet suits and id rashies of the like
 Follow procedures in relation to duckdiving, falling off board, how to stand up, depth of water

3. Riding Specific Safety

 Use of helmets, instruction on how to operate bike brakes and gears.
 Correct checking and communication when riding
 Leave adequate space between riders.
 Pre-ride instruction on identifying hazards and when to slow down in proximity to other forest users.
 Pre-ride explanation of single file riding on road sections.
 Pre-ride bike check and maintenance between activity sessions
 Pre-ride instruction on riding under control with emphasis on controlling speed and braking
 Avoid regeneration areas and places where high user impact is starting to show
 Ride only on the designated riding surfaces
 Avoid creating new trails
 Avoid cutting corners
 Dismounting and walking around obstacles to avoid accidents or creating detours
 Brake gently before corners and avoid skidding to protect the riding surface from erosion
 Avoid riding when a substantial portion of the trail is excessively wet

4. General camping
 Trees and limbs
 No flooding areas
 Cooking – brief students and closely monitor during mealtime

5. Hypothermia (cold) – conservation approach when student(s) get wet, with cold windy conditions
a. Monitor students in conditions, ensure clothing is layered and appropriate, and fuel intake sufficient.

6. Weather – check as regular as necessary and possible (breaks in activities)

7. Physical health risks

 Check pre-existing medical conditions
 Check how everyone in the group is feeling

8. Lack or incorrect application of program structure, session planning and group management
a. Students walk together as group- front & back markers
b. Frequent head counts
c. Carry whistles/used if lost or searching
d. Use buddy system

During the journey students need to listen to School staff and instructor advice, to ensure they are mitigating risks to an
acceptable level.
 Do not take unnecessary risks.
 Briefings conducted every time before an activity, such as bushwalking, cycling, surfing or cooking dinner
 All students need to ensure they are feeling included and comfortable with the activity.
 Use a common sense approach to all decisions
 Stage 1 Outdoor Education

 Communication is essential to achieving success, talk to each other, and communicate with staff to seek
clarification.