Group #3

Risk Management of Outdoor Activities

Did you know?

Last August 19, 2015 a group of about 180 BSU

students conducted a field trip to Madlum Cave in
San Miguel, Bulacan. Tragedy struck when heavy
rains swelled the Madlum River and triggered a flash
flood that swept the students who were crossing the
river. drowning 7 students.
Could such Tragedy have been Avoided
Being outdoors entails certain risks-risk of being
injured, risk of having accidents, and the tragedy
of death. These risks may come from the
participants, from the activity itself, from the
very location of the activity, or from
environmental conditions.
Being outdoors entails certain risks-risk of being
injured, risk of having accidents, and the tragedy
of death. These risks may come from the
participants, from the activity itself, from the
very location of the activity, or from
environmental conditions.
Parkin & Blades (1998) in their
published paper explains that there
are three factors to consider in
identifying risk, namely, the
participants, the equipment, or
from the surroundings.
Hazard from Human Factor

Participant factors may include the unmanageable size

of the group, the lack of skills, knowledge and
experience, poor health, age, and even attitude
problems.

Leader/organizer factors may include their lack of

knowledge of environmental hazards, poor
coordination and management skills, inability to
respond to emergencies, poor planning, and
communication, among other things.
Hazard from Equipment
Equipment includes the basic things to be used in the
activity such as,
Masks and Flippers in Snorkeling

The Boat and PFD in Kayaking

Ropes in Trekking, etc.

Equipment also includes the Proper Clothing and

Footwear of the Participants.
Hazard from the Environment

Weather condition tops the list of environment hazard.

Others include,
Temperature

Terrain

Rock Stability

Darkness, etc.
Alan Hale in 1984 developed the Dynamics of
Accident Model (Bunting, 2006) where he came
up with the accident equation on how accidents
occur. He said there is the potential
for an accident when two of the risks overlap, such
that the greater the overlap,
potential for an accident. The greater the
Environmental Hazards
Could such Tragedy have been Avoided
There are risk identification should also include
identifying the likely risk combination. For
will mean higher chances of accident. What was
there were more human hazard and environmental
instance in the Bulakan field trip tragedy one can
identify more than two hazards overlapping and this
hazards will be an even greater risk of accident.
Risk management, therefore, anticipates the
possible of undesired events and establishes
a preferred course of action to avoid or
minimize the possible occurrence. In
anticipating the undesirable eventualities, the
plan starts from identifying the risks and the
source of hazards.
If there was only one hazard factor involved, then
there would be higher chance of preventing
the accident. Suppose, in this case, coordination
with the local government unit was done (human
factor managed), then perhaps there would have
been an emergency response team stationed on
the site, such that if an emergency situation
occurs, there would be someone who could
respond and
help and there would have been lesser chances of
a tragedy occurring.
How can Risk be Reduced
Pre Trip Planning

• Knowledge of Weather Forecast

• Knowledge of Site
• Knowledge of Water’s Current,Presence of Jelly Fish, etc.
• Knowledge of Difficulty of the Mountain
• Knowledge of Poisonous Plants and Animals in the Area

Pre Trip Planning is having Understanding and Knowledge of

how the activity will go in a specific place at a particular
date and time .
 Following the Guidelines and Policies

• Divers must have a Diver’s Certificate

• No Campfires
• No Hiking or Caving in some of Weather Condition
• No Hiking or Caving without qualified Guides
• Medical Certificate is a must before an Outdoor Activity

Rules, Regualtion, Policies, and Procedure are important

measures to reduce-if not to eliminate the risk and are a
part of the Management Plan.
Individuals Knowledge

• Equipment Selection, Inspection and Maintenance

• Operate Properly
• A basic knowledge of Individuals Composition,
Understanding, Skill Level of risk and Dynamics of
Accidents
Disclosing the Risk and Knowledge to Participants will make
them more aware of Responsibilities to ensure safety of
oneself and other participants.
Budget and Logistical Issues
PRE-TRIP PLAN, LOGISTICS, AND BUDGET

• Distance
• Transportation
• Alternate routes
• Site Plan, Route Plan, Evacuation Routes
• Characteristics of water current undertows, waves
and aquatic hazards.
Tips and Knowledge
• In Snorkeling one should know the characteristics of
the waters such as the current, undertows, waves,
and aquatic hazards.
• In Canoeing or Kayaking one should know the
starting point of the river and various points of path
and routes, knowing the characteristics of the river
such as rapids and rocks or where can stop if
needed
• In Mountain climbing one should know the elevation
gain the kind of trail, the temperature, and
weather.
Tips and Knowledge
• In Orienteering one should know the site map, the
terrain, vegetation, etc.
• In Scuba Diving and Snorkeling one should know
the diving plan, characteristics of water, the aquatic
animals present in the waters.
• In Camping One should know the whole camping
site location and its environment, its available
facilities(Frontcountry Camping), Water source(if
any), emergency route with the emergency facility
in case of need.
Budget Planning
• Equipments
• Essentials
• Transportation
• Parking Fees
• Food and Menu
• Permit Fees
• Registration Fees
• Lodging Fees
• Emergency Money
• Proffesional Guides
• Renting Money
Some Outdoor activities in the Philippines would
require permits to be able to
proceed with the activity.Trekking in Mt. Kanlaon, Mt.
Apo, and Mt. Banahaw are
among those that need one.

Diving at the Tubbataha Reefs also needs a permit for

entry.Registration is usually required by the
government in order to know who and where
the tourists are going.

Coordination with on-site facilitator or guide and with

local tourism office or government unit to plan for
contingency or emergency
Diving at the Tubbataha Reefs also needs a
permit for
entry.Registration is usually required by the
government in order to know who and where
the tourists are going.

Coordination with on-site facilitator or guide

and with local tourism office or government
unit to plan for contingency or emergency
Most, if not all, outdoor recreational activities are
done outside of the city.

Traveling can either be by bringing own vehicle or

by using the public transportation.
It also means knowing ahead of time the routes
leading to the location and it is also best

Traveling with own vehicles will include costs for gas

and toll fees. On some places,
parking fees may be charged too.
Food can be brought individually or prepared as a
group can be divided among the participants. For
hiking and trekking, freeze-dried meals, and energy
food are available but may be costlier.

Guides are also required-if not recommended for

some activities such as spelunking.
whitewater rafting/canoeing or kayaking, and even
trekking or hiking. Professional fees
are also paid to the guides.

Travel blogs are very helpful in giving tips on how

to reach certain places and in obtaining
other relevant and important information.
Food can be brought individually or prepared as a
group can be divided among the participants. For
hiking and trekking, freeze-dried meals, and energy
food are available but may be costlier.

Guides are also required-if not recommended for

some activities such as spelunking.
whitewater rafting/canoeing or kayaking, and even
trekking or hiking. Professional fees
are also paid to the guides.

Travel blogs are very helpful in giving tips on how

to reach certain places and in obtaining
other relevant and important information.
Thanks For Watching